only today the fire burns brightly"
An Eskimo proverb
Work continues in the garden as the group tidies up, moves plants about and making good here and there with the secateurs. Some of the class beds are looking good with the sweetcorn, runner bean and sunflower beds looking particularly spectacular. The sweetcorn, or maize, is some of the highest we have seen growing in the garden but alas over the weekend the strong South Westerlies caused a little damage but nothing too devastating.
 |
| The magnificent sunflower bed |
 |
| Flower head |
 |
| Two casualties! |
The two fallen plants will not be wasted. The flower heads cut off and dried and the seeds will be put on the bird table. Greenfinch and House Sparrow will enjoy them once they have hardened off.
 |
| The sweetcorn patch |
The runner beans took the winds in their stride and although leaning a little they have survived and are producing a lot of tasty green beans!
 |
| plenty of flowers on the runner bean plants |
 |
| Fresh produce! |
The beans need to be picked hard and regularly to encourage more beans. This holds true to most vegetables in fact.
The hanging baskets are stunning. Unfortunately they did not come into bloom for the NGS weekend but at present look fantastic. This year we chose a Begonia variety called 'apricot shades'.
 |
| The hanging baskets |
 |
| Subtle pastel shades |
 |
| Multicoloured blooms |
 |
| Deep Apricot colours |
 |
| A mix of colours and flower sizes |
The moth trap has been run on a few warm nights but the wind has kept things a little quiet. Hopefully the winds will ease this week and we can continue with our 'mothing'. One attractive moth was caught though- a Canary Shouldered Thorn
 |
| The aptly named Canary Shouldered Thorn |
Another moth trapped, although common, is often seen indoors on a warm summer night. A plume moth called Emmelina monodactyla.
 |
| Emmelina monodactyla or Common Plume |
 |
| Yellow Shell |
The grass garden requires little maintenance but gives the onlooker both motion and texture. This shot was taken looking up through the Giant Bronze Oat grass to the blue sky above
 |
| The bluest of skies! |
|
|
This year we have just one fruit on the kiwi plant. Last year we had plenty. This autumn the plant will be pruned heavily. Possibly there is too much growth on it now to produce fruit.
 |
| Our only kiwi fruit! |
In the late afternoon a couple of young Robins appear. One is particularly friendly and allows a very close approach.
 |
| Our friendly young Robin |
|
Finally the Globe Artichokes are flowering and there is always a lot of pollen in these flowers. This bee was spotted gorging itself and is heavily coated in pollen. It almost looked like an unknown species. It defended the flower, not allowing other bees to land until it has had had enough!
 |
| Bee head first in the flower! |
 |
| Absolutely covered in pollen. |
We are hoping that the sunflowers and sweetcorn will survive till the start of the new term so that the children who planted them can see them and enjoy their planting efforts.
