August 2006

 

It felt like autumn even at the beginning of August, with heavy dews and strong winds. The dahlias flowered early and well after that hot July and the tomatoes, that had looked so sorry for themselves in June gave a bumper crop.

The apple Discovery ripened in the second half of the month and I was picking Victoria plums in the last week.

I have never seen so many butterflies as I did for a week in the middle of this month. I gave up counting the ones round the buddlia on the patio after I reached to 40. The majority were Red Admirals and Peacocks but there were a sprinkling of other kinds as well including the white cabbage. Despite that there was less caterpillar damage on the brassicas than usual.

Some people complain that their garden lacks colour after July but I find that is when colour is returning, mostly thanks to the dahlias. The second half of June and July are the months I have difficulties with.

The runner beans picked up and regained their taste and texture For some reason the birds have left berries alone this year. I didn't pick the blackcurrants for ages but they remained intact on the bush. I wonder whether we lost many birds in the July heat.

Comments on the Memo I left to to myself for August