It’s been bone dry around these parts for weeks now, so it’s been a struggle trying to keep the gardens watered, especially as it’s been so warm. Just watering the courtyard, back garden and greenhouse takes three hours. I always leave the front garden to fend for itself.
Finally, today, it rained, all day, with lots of that lovely fine drizzle that gently soaks everything rather than bouncing off our sandy soil. Every plant the rain touched instantly released a delightful aroma, heavenly it was.
The fruit trees are all bearing fruit, here are my plum fruitlets to the left and the apricots and pears to the right.
Just in case you missed those apricots here’s another shot. I can’t believe that I may actually get apricots after all these years!
Cherries are beginning to ripen, and, Littl’urchin discovered the first ripe strawberries that I’d totally missed and made short work of them.
To my surprise, several of the ‘Accidental Orchard’ trees are flowering, I didn’t expect that this late in the year. Most of them are just throwing out leaves. It will be interesting to see if any fruit this year.
The front garden veggie patch holds a multitude of soft fruit bushes and my main Armageddon crop of potatoes, but, this year I’ve not got round to weeding it since planting the potatoes. I’m surprised at how many wildflowers have seeded themselves in there, lots of feverfew, poppies and daisies amongst other things, the pollinators are loving it so I’m leaving it be. I have plenty of veggies in my ‘Little Lotte’ and the potatoes in the front will hold their own.
Shrubs are bursting into bloom, all with delightful fragrance.
It’s just wonderful brushing against them and seeing them smothered with bees.
The rambling roses are delightful at the moment. The apple tree on the left is smothered by two varieties, a pink and a cream one. These photos simply do not do them, or their scent, justice.
And Finally…
don’t bother buying toys, just collect boxes.
Until next time, stay safe guys. xxx
Ha! Yes, even dogs love boxes, ripping them to bits is their thing! I’ll be astonished if I actually apples from those trees, but hey ho, who knows? The rambling roses seem to like our sandy soil, I do love them but their thorns are fearsome! Thanks Joy.xxx
Hello there you !
Kids and cats LOVE boxes ! LOL .. throw the toys away and leave the boxes is too right 😉
I would so love to see your beautiful gardens with such wonderful life springing forth. Yes ! I would be surprised about those accidental fruit trees going through a proper foliage and flower cycle but isn’t that wonderful ? The scents there must be amazing ! I am a fan of apricots so already that is a bonus ? haha .. The rambling roses … I so wanted to have that type of rose wonder through some trees here .. I just can’t seem to be a good rose mom (yes, even with my few exceptions !) .. they must look spectacular .. and bonus again with all the wildflowers popping up ! Well done you ! a feast for the eyes, and eventually the bellies!
Adorable! I’m so happy for you and a little envious as well. We don’t get any rain during the summer, just this endless heat.
Amalia
xo
Thanks Amalia, oh, there is nothing worse than endless heat, it’s just so exhausting and draining isn’t it.xxx
Great post. Fantastic images.
Thanks so much Peter.xxx
Finally got your blog into the browser so I could book mark it *yeah*
Fanbloodytastic!!! Thanks AnneMarie.xxx
Awww I just love your last photograph 🙂
Your garden is looking good, thank goodness you’ve had some rain, it makes such a difference doesn’t it. We certainly needed our umbrella’s this weekend!
Have a good week ahead, can you believe July is almost here!!!
All the best Jan
Thanks Jan, kids and boxes, win win for sure! Oh, there is nothing worse than a prolonged period of time without rain. Like you I don’t know where time is going.xxx
Well the rain took its time getting to you, We’ve been getting loads of it. Gosh, 3 hours of watering is no joke. What an abundance of loveliness you have in the garden and so many good things to eat. Wonderful to have your own apricots.
The rain certainly took it’s time, it sounds like you are getting too much! Oh, how I dread dragging the hose around three different gardens, it also leaks and I always end up totally soaked. I’ll be happy if I harvest a single apricot! Thanks Chloris.xxx
When I hear people complain about the rain….I think – imagine life without it! There is nothing more beautiful than a garden that has been rained upon….and the plants love it.
You are right about boxes for little urchins and animals…that’s all they need:)
Have a wonderful weekend, dear Dina…Love youXXXX
Goodness, yes, it’s difficult to imagine life without rain. I totally agree, a wet garden is a delight, how all the colours shine. Yes, boxes are valuable commodities indeed. Love you too dear friend.xxxx
Ah, Jason got there first with a reminder that children and cats adore boxes! I don’t remember making use of large ones, but I do know that a round oatmeal box makes a fabulous drum.
I’m so glad you got that perfect rain; a gentle soaker does have so much to offer. I can’t believe that your accidental orchard is flowering. If you get fruit, it’s going to be utterly amazing. I’ve given up on buying apricots are the market. They tend to be tasteless. If you get some, we want a report!
Ah yes, and dogs love ripping them to pieces too! I was surprised to see the accidental orchard flowering, I’ll be really astonished if we do get fruit. I find a lot of supermarket fruit is tasteless compared to home grown. I’ll certainly wax lyrical if I even get one apricot! Thanks Linda.xxx
Boxes are the best toys for children and cats! So glad you got some rain. Your garden is looking fantastic.
Yes, agree about boxes, dogs love them too, well mine love ripping them into pieces. That rain was more than welcome. Thanks Jason.xxx
I think the rain is purposefully avoiding us. Just a bit of drizzly stuff that will not penetrate far enough to reach roots where it’s needed.
Maybe the mini orchard trees had been held back before selling them and they think it is spring, Maybe they’re as confused as we are.
It’s so annoying when the rain keeps moving on, especially when it’s forecast. The fruit trees came as bare root plants so I was surprised to see them flower. Yes, they certainly are as confused as us. Thanks Sue.xxx
So glad you got some much needed rain, 3 hrs watering is not on! Your fruit trees are all looking delightful, blossom and fruit, wonderful that you will have apricots, well done you! Love your rambling roses, they look so pretty covering your trees. I remember well some little people who loved playing in boxes, they never change do they.
I agree, three hours watering is not on which is why I always leave it to the last minute. I will be thrilled if I even get one apricot. How true, kids never change! Boxes are eternally popular. Thanks Pauline.xxx
So jealous of the rain! Of the boxes, we have plenty with roomie’s brother’s move and all the neighborhood learning of our friend’s Anna’s need of them to smother weeds in her garden and flooding us with cardboard.
Those rambling roses of yours are amazing — so much color and beauty. So sorry not to be there to inhale all those lovely scents.
Sending you rain asap! Oh, there is a limit on how many boxes you can store! I’m flooded with towels, shredded paper and newspapers for the rescue! How lovely it would be to have you here, you’d love those roses. Thanks Anne.xxx
Glad to see that you’ve finally had some steady rain, which all the plants will certainly appreciate, Everything is certainly looking and sounding good. Fingers crossed that you’ll get a few juicy apricots.
Apart from being cheap, boxes have to be among the best toys going. xx
Thanks Flighty, I’m always relieved when it rains. I will be thrilled to get some apricots, even one would do. Yes, you just can’t beat a good box.xxx
What a glorious, abundant post! And I absolutely love Lil’Urchin peering out from her box. xx
Why thank you Gill. Littl’urchin loved that box, it became a wonderful tunnel too.xxx
Ah, the old favourite, boxes in different shapes and sizes. One yer on holiday abroad, we were caught in rainfall so great, everywhere was flooded, water even seemed to rest on hills! A lot of damage was done around and about. To cut long story short, we spent 3 days at least, amusing sprog setting up boxes in a variety of guises. One of the favourites was a car, with box and sofa cushions. Two different sized chairs were used for the back support and the steering arrangement. Imagination comes into its own again when you have youngsters!
We’ve had cold weather, warnings of frost in June, and lots of heavy rain, which like with you, is much needed after a very dry spell of weather. The farmer will be happy for his swedes. xxxx
Haha, loved the story of the flood and entertaining daughter with boxes. Goodness, a frost in June? Glad yo got some much needed rain though.xxx
Wow, apple, apricot and cherry trees, I bet you have lovely scents flowing through the garden, not to mention the pretty blossoms! You have a wonderful garden this summer.
Great photo of Littl’urchin in her box, such a lovely age, when a box is the best toy.
Enjoy your garden and your Littl’urchin.
Thanks Gerrie. The plants are doing well this year but so are the weeds. Yes, it’s a lovely age isn’t it, how quickly they grow up though.xxx
Oh, goodness, that last photo is beyond precious! I LOVE it!
The garden looks heavenly, my friend. Apricots! What a treat. Oh, my, what abundance. I could sit in your garden all day just breathing the scents! I’m soooooo glad you received some rain, and a nice long day of it. Hooray! It’s passing us by again, but we’re ever hopeful!
Thank you for this lush, wonderful post! It made my day. 💕 Joy to your week’s end!
Thanks so much Kitty. I am thrilled to have apricots, I’d almost given up on them. Isn’t it lovely when plants release their scent when it rains, our poor garden really needed that rain, these days it always seems to be too dry or too wet. Here’s to you getting plenty of rain. Love and hugs to you all.xxxx
Isn’t it always the way, they go for the boxes rather than the toys! We’ve been having beautiful weather but we’ve got up to rain today, I don’t mind, the garden really needs it, and as you say, you can really tell the plants are so thankful for it by the aroma they release.
Oh yes, kids and dogs and cats love boxes! Wouldn’t it be great if it only rained for a few hours at night? Thanks Jo.xxx
Your garden is absolute heaven but the thought of watering for 3 hours makes me shudder. It’s one of my least favourite tasks, although, strangely, I enjoy watering the neighbours’ garden when they’re away. Go figure! I envy you all your plums and apricots – our plum tree has very few plums again this year and already the squirrels are eyeing them up! That rambling rose is to die for – as is sweet Littl’urchin and her cardboard box! Enjoy the rain. xx
Thanks Veggiemummy. Oh, I hate watering, I always end up soaked. Funnily enough I too don’t mind watering my neighbours’ garden when they’re away, it’s a lot smaller than ours though. I hope the squirrels leave your plums alone!xxx