I sat this morning enjoying a coffee, a breeze coming through the open windows and the sound of wood pigeons in the air. The garden was in shade. All the makings of a perfect August day. A few minutes later the sun had climbed over the trees and the heat began to build. It will be thirty five degrees at least here today, no rain yet but there are rumours of thunderstorms to come. Yes please. Here’s six for the week.
One
Although the birds and squirrels get to the ripe figs first, if I’m quick I can harvest a few of the smaller ones just before they ripen and in this way I’ve managed to secure a reasonable supply for us. They ripen quite quickly on a sunny window sill but I do look wistfully at those fat brown figs at the top of the tree.
Two
There’s work to be done in the garden. First, the clematis arch is keeling over, the clematis have already gone to seed which makes it look even more sad. I hope it can stay upright a little longer as I don’t have any plans to do work in the garden until the cooler temperatures arrive.
Three
Second, the greenhouse door came off its makeshift wire hinge a few weeks ago. Even with the no door and all the windows open and my collection of old sheets for shading it’s still around 39 degrees inside. It’s a very old greenhouse and I haven’t been able to locate the right new hinges so I’m thinking it may be time for a new one. Which might encourage me to spruce up this whole area. Watch this space.
Four
My collection of hollyhocks are a third of their usual height this year. This is good news: no staking is required. They also seem to be rust free. There’s a couple of positives to enjoy.
Five
The roses are valiantly putting out new flowers, smaller than the first flush but much appreciated. This is ‘Scepter’d Isle’
Six
I am really being tough with the watering. That’s what being on a water meter does! So it’s watering cans only and only those plants that are wilting are watered. The annuals have been left to their own devices but these nicotiana are in the vicinity of a newly planted hydrangea which is being looked after. They are reaping the rewards and so am I.
Mr P has all the links to the SOS meme as usual. Since it is too hot for active gardening some gentle reading may be the order of the day. Enjoy the blue skies.
n20gardener 
I was admiring your rust free Hollyhock, mine still manage to catch the rust. Good luck with the greenhouse door.
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Thank you
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Here in Canada there are a lot of squirrels! Reds, blacks, greys, big ones, tiny ones… but no figs. Take advantage of them! I hope to have some more when I get back.
Take care with the heat.
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I’ve definitely had enough of the heat but the figs are coming thick and fast now.
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No rust on the hollyhocks? That’s a result! Love your rose, what a beauty. Hope you are managing to keep cool and you get all the rain you need next week. I will make sure we don’t take it all on the way over x
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Very obliging of you, it was going to be Monday now it’s Tuesday. Might end up with a light shower on Wednesday!
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Could try harder!
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That rose is a beauty. It is tricky being on a water meter and having to make those tough decisions regarding which plants get watered or not.
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Isn’t it. Just one shower, I’m sure, would give everything a lift.
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Now that’s what a Hollyhock should look like. It’s so hard deciding what to water and what to leave isn’t it.
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I love the colour and will collect seed but it may not come true. And yes, decisions, decisions!
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That’s a lovely hollyhock and rose. My roses seem to be having a second flush too which is nice. They obviously like the warm weather. Fortunately we are not on a water meter so unless they bring in a hosepipe ban watering isn’t an issue, though I still reserve it for the containers and newly planted plants. However, I don’t believe banning hosepipes makes a lot of difference. I tend to use mine to fill up the watering cans as I can’t reach the outside tap easily. I’m sure baths and showers and toilet flushes use way more water.
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Yes I use the hose for filling up cans too. Carrying the full cans is going to give me muscles!!
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Such beautiful roses! I can’t wait for the thunderstorms we’re due tomorrow… I’m melting! 😀
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