I took this photo because I liked the look of the water, chain and blue of the boat. But I was surprised to find when I downloaded it onto my computer that the chain and boat had a number of damselflies sitting on them – some looking to be recently emerged.
A cropped image shows them slightly more clearly.
So today it is raining and they tell us it will rain pretty much continuously till Monday night!! So a slight tangent for this week’s Six on Saturday. We had the opportunity to visit The Organic Centre, near Rossinver in Co. Leitrim this week, so I am sharing my six from there as opposed to our very wet garden.
The Centre was founded in 1995 by local organic growers, farmers and supporters. It comprises of a 19 acre site and includes gardens, polytunnels, community garden and orchards.
2. The polytunnels were jam-packed with very healthy looking vegetables, and totally weed free (not like my own).
3. Companion planting was evident throughout the garden.
4. These poppies were particularly stunning. I have these in my garden too but mine are a much more a pink that red (do you see the bumblebee?)
5. I really liked their orchard which had apples, plums and pear. The orchard was well sheltered and I noticed that they had much more fruit on their trees than I do.
6. And finally I love this fun garden fence.
I would certainly recommend a visit if you are in the area. The centre hopes to begin delivering their varied courses again very soon. More information can be found here.
Thank you to The Propagator for hosting Six on Saturday.
This walk is part of the Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail. Croagh Patrick is a pilgrim mountain here in County Mayo climbed every year by thousands of pilgrims. This Heritage Trial though is a much quieter place and the day I walk this bit of it, I had the whole place to my self.
Part of the walk winds it’s way though a lovely hazel woodland.
Here there is plenty time to take a quiet moment to enjoy the wonderful flowers.
As we head toward the longest day of the year things seem extra busy in the garden.
First this week the appropriately named green shield bug, here a pair mating on the red currants.
2. It is a while since I posted a photo of a bumblebee. Here a garden bumblebee enjoying the delphinium.
3. The day lily seemed to take ages to open but they are finally here.
4. It is pretty windy again today which I hope won’t affect the mange tout which are
doing nicely but not quite flowering yet.
5. Common spotted orchids in the wildflower meadow.
6. You may remember the red and yellow Aquilegia, well they have joined with the white ones. They are giving a great display of colour.
So many flowers to choose from – here just a few….. isn’t mother nature amazing?
We have returned to cooler weather but still only small amounts of rain. As we approach mid-June there are endless garden jobs to do. Today is was planting out brassicas, cutting back rosemary and taking some cuttings, weeding and potting up. So here is this week’s six, and thanks to The Propagotor for hosting Six on Saturday.
2. Here meadow cranesbill and yellow allium, both of which I showed in previous weeks, but I like the colour combination of the two together. If you look closely you may see a white tailed bumblebee too.
3. This is the same wild meadow cranesbill as the blue one above, which again seed themselves happily in the gravel and I then move them on. This one I moved to one of the wildflower meadow areas. It is not fully white, but has a slightly purple tinge.
4. I really like foxgloves as do some bumblebees.
5. Sage – the outdoors ones are now in flower, though some of the flowers seem burnt – which is quite possible as we did have a late frost, though it could also be wind burnt.
6. And finally this week Worcester berry – it is like a cross between a gooseberry and blackcurrant. These berries will get darker in colour. Seems to be a good enough crop this year – so may get a pot of two of jam.
Murtagh's Meadow 