First this week a Hawthorn shieldbug – not that well camouflaged against the reddening leaves.
Hawthorn shieldbug
We are still getting some autumn raspberries – though the wet weather of the last three days has made them pretty squishy. Maybe able to harvest a few more this weekend as weather dries up a bit.
Raspberries
Not such good crop from the apples this year, and those few that are there, are being attacked by birds. Picked six good ones from the Pixie apple though.
Pixie apple
Pixie apple
Some hazel nuts too.
Hazel nut
There hasn’t been great germination of the winter lettuce.
Lettuce
But I am holding out for these brussels spouts to fill out for Christmas!
Not quite sure what happened to September, it seemed to go in a blink of an eye. It was a pretty mild month for us but things have definitely got a bit chiller in the last week. And the nights are really drawing in. The sunshine and heavy showers of the last couple of days have resulted in some beautiful rainbows though.
Double rainbow over workshop
The haws are showing great colour. Here an American hawthorn, who’s berries are not as plentifully this year as our native hawthorn trees.
Hawthorn berry
The poly tunnel plastic is showing its age. We did some repairs last year but this winter we are going to have to go for a new cover. The plastic is probably about 14 years and they say 10 is a good age, so I can’t really complain.
Polytunnel tear
This sweet chestnut trees is about 10 years old and this is the first year it has fruit – there are only about half a dozen fruits.
Sweet chestnut
This aster seems to have flowered late but is adding some well needed colour now.
Aster
Similarly, I had nearly given up hope that this sunflower would open but it had this morning, adding it’s own bit of sunshine.
July is proving to be a pretty grey month so far here in the west of Ireland, with little sun. Thankfully some dry days despite the clouds. Still plenty colour in the garden to bring us some sunshine.
Cosmos
Cosmos
2. Yellow Loosestrife
Yellow Loosestrife
3. Day lily
Day lily
4. In the flower meadow, orchids are really abundant this year. When we started the meadow we had about three orchids. This year we counted 18 a week ago, and a couple of more have appeared since. They are all common ones but still lovely to have.
Orchid
5. Also in the meadow more ragged robin – it looks lovely against the white ox-eye daisies.
Ragged robin in the meadow
6. The bees are certainly enjoying all the wild flowers.
white tailed bee on yellow rattle
Thank you to The Propagator for hosting Six on Saturday.
Mid June – and like The Propagator my garden “has been running away from me” too. Weeds everywhere but particular the vegetable path. So I am not going to show you that – just some pretty flowers (and a few insects) instead!
First this week a pink geranium – sorry don’t have a name, with a visiting hoverfly (Rhingia campestris).
Pink geranium with Rhingia campestris
Next one of my favourite June combinations – buttercup and red campion – these are both flowering under the hedge.
Buttercup and red campion
Delphiniums are another summer favourite – just coming out now.
Delphiniums
The garden is busy with bees at the moment – always a joy to see. The white tailed bumblebees seem to particularly like the lupins.
White tailed bumblebee on lupin
Sitting on the lupin leaf I spotted this lovely blue damselfly too.
Damselfly
And finally this week a red and yellow aquilegia. The white tailed bumbles also like this one.
It seems this year I am just growing weeds! Work is busy and time in the garden is short – but thankfully the flowers are still doing their best, despite my neglect.
First this week – Iris – with raindrops
Iris
2. Another blue this time Aquilegia
Aquilegia
3. For three, also comes in blue but I have white Jacob’s ladder.
Polemonium
4. One of two self-seeded foxgloves. These ones are much happier than the ones I planted into the flower bed.
Foxglove
5. The meadow is coming on – buttercups are dominating but the ox-eye daisies are not far behind.
Wildflower meadow
6. And finally this week – some male early bumblebees about – note their really yellow body and face.
This week our weather still remains cool and changeable. Our Robin friend is run-ragged (literally) collecting grubs and worms for what I assume is a nest full of chicks. He enjoyed searching in some soil that I was turning over today. He appears to have a preference for grubs, including leatherjackets (though one was left behind as I think it was just too big) over worms. The fork handle proved to be an excellent spotting post.
Robin friend
Second this week are bumblebees. Numbers are increasing slowly with plenty queen bees still around. The kale flowers are proving popular as always. I try to leave some kale and other brassicas to flower each year as a bee food.
Garden bumblebee
Third this week, is red campion. I love this wildflower as it adds so much colour to an area under a hedgerow, not far from the kitchen window.
red campion
Fourth this week are Rowan flowers.
Rowan
Perennials are a little behind this year but the lupins are not far off flowering now.
Lupins
And finally this week sage . This one is in the greenhouse. It will be a couple of weeks before the outside ones have flowers.
Murtagh's Meadow 