I know gardeners wanted rain but it’s been a bit extreme, especially for the taller herbaceous stock in beds and borders. If your perennials have been pounded then inserting twiggy hazel sticks into the clumps will give a more natural look than just tying string around the fallen foliage. Image left (Feltham First peas) source: Marshalls Seeds
Prevention is better than cure so endeavour to tie in plants that haven’t yet been affected and also new growth of climbers where necessary. Removing the soggy, rain-spoiled flowers from bedding plants will encourage new blooms.
My veg plot is looking more like a jungle every day. Warm soil and wet weather has produced incredible growth and the runner beans are indeed running up their bamboos. I had to tie one or two in to start them off and it was the same with the sweet peas but once they’ve got a grip, they’re away.
Harvested an early crop of peas (Feltham First), many of which didn’t even make it to the pot as they are so delicious raw. I’ll replace these with a late variety like Kelvedon Wonder. Sowings can be made this month and next for welcome crops in September and October.
I spent a therapeutic 10 minutes picking off the hungry caterpillars from my cauliflowers and cabbages. Took great delight in leaving them on the wall for the birds though maybe I should have coated them in chocolate or candy!
I’ve cut back all the Green Alkanet in the lane. It’s a boisterous plant but at least it should have a second flush of flowers late summer now, as will many early flowering perennials if cut back immediately after flowering.
