Another UK record this month. The wettest August ever and yet the roses have had less blackspot than they had for years although I have only sprayed once! Despite the wet the weather has been reasonably warm. The garden has been full of colour.
The dahlias have been magnificent, especially the ones left to overwinter outside.
Surfinias have not been happy but I think that is probably due to slug damage. I replaced hanging baskets of surfinias earlier than usual with with fuschias which enjoyed the weather. Coral Triphylla with its distinctive foliage and flower shape, grown in tubs by the patio, has been especially magnificent, coming into bloom early and remaining constantly in flower. I will try to save the plants this year and perhaps buy some more tryphylla varities next year. Harvest. The beans picked up after a worrying start but the calabrese have been disappointing. They have suffered attacks by various insects all through the summer. So far I have had my best tomato season for years and with them and the cut and come again lettuce I have had salad for lunch every day for the past two months. The cucumbers on the plant I snapped off have been far better than the plant that went in undamaged. Perhaps I had better cut back cucumber plants deliberately in future.
