Margaret's Garden Journal for August 2011

Ornamental section of back garden

The yellow daisies that Ray gave me two years ago have saved the back garden since the crocosmia finished. The hardy fuschia in the bed in front that didn't get as far as flowering last has been in bloom all month.

This is the first year I have had a decent crop of pears. I have placed plastic bags over some of them, and over the figs which have been very slow to ripen this year, and they are the one fruit which one has to leave on the tree to ripen.

The Victoria plum has done well and so have the apples. I managed to get five greengages early in the month which is two more than I have ever had before.

The weather in July and August hasn't been great, very dry and overcast but not particularly cold until now at the end of the month so I am puzzled as to why the tomatoes have been ripening so slowly. I have had plenty for myself but haven't had an irresistible urge to give them away.

It hasn't been a bad year for early potatoes. I have been particularly pleased with Linzer delicatesse. Why there is only one stockist in the whole of the UK I can't think. It always does better for me than anything else.

By dint of constant watering I have also had a great crop of runner beans. Every other veg though has been disappointing although the brussels look as if they may come up to scratch this year.