Early summer bits and bobs

[Motherwoman]

I think the blue poppy is Meconopsis baileyii or used to be, I think they've changed its name.

Lovely garden, just my cup of tea!

[Geoff]

They had betonifolia, baileyii, lingholm and a few others in other parts of the garden but none of the labelled ones were anywhere near as deep a blue as this one. I might just have to pop back when the seeds have set. I think this compressed Spring has made a lot of gardens look good, the patch in my photograph has things out together that are usually separate.
I didn't post a holiday snap amongst my frenzy of picture posting - Crarae gardens on the shore of Loch Fyne.

[peter]

Then a massive cloudburst, drove to Allotment Society Committee meeting through pools, rivers and reduced vision.

[Clive.]

Whilst we are pondering on flowers...and now that we have a phone connection again after a weeks "absence".......here are a couple of photos taken yesterday.

Is anyone well versed at identifying Peonies.?

Thank you,
Clive.

[Geoff]

I like Peonies but there seem to be a lot of names for very small differences. Can you email the holder of the national collection with your work hat on? http://www.nccpg.com/National-Collectio ... spx?id=715 or http://www.nccpg.com/National-Collectio ... spx?id=375

I suppose it is supposed to be all downhill after the longest day but it needn't have been quite so steep.

[Monika]

Rain - at last! We had 17mm yesterday and last night and the allotment breathed a sigh of relief! No, honestly, the plants really seem to have perked up immediately with the natural humidity in spite of our copious watering over the last dry weeks.

No more rain forecast now.

[peter]

Prepared one squash bed, other weeds sre still dying.
Mowed all paths and flower meadow, aka car park.
Hand weeded a twelve foot strip across on plot and planted out my sweetcorn.
Got rained off, started with a cloudburst when I had 3' by 6' to weed, happily a quick rake and some speedy trowel work got the sweetcorn in before the next shower and the remaining weeds were next to the path.

[Clive.]

To update;.... Kelway's thoughts on the Peony that I posted up earlier is that it could be Jeanne d'Arc..

Meanwhile, this morning, despite it being rather cool overnight, it was very noticeable that things had grown...I suspect the little drop of rain at the weekend had been a help.
At last the Pumpkins, Marrows and their fellows have started to move forward.

Clive.

[donedigging]

First harvest of broad beans today, some rather large 'new potatoes' , don't know quite what happened there I lifted one plant, being a bit cheeky just to see what was happening and I got some the size of small bakers down to the size of marbles. None of my potatoes have shown any flower yet, so was surprised by the large size
And some more rhubarb

Everything else seems so slow or not moving at all

At least the sun is shining

[oldherbaceous]

I'm sure things will get moving now it has warmed up a little, well let's hope so.

[Parsons Jack]

First picking of broad beans here today as well. Cut 5 very nice size calabrese, 3 of which are in the freezer now. Loads of Cobra beans and carrots from the polytunnel, and a huge crop of garlic.

Makes it all worth while doesn't it

And I've got a date from the hospital at last. 25th July. That's only 8 weeks from when I saw the doctor.
Not for the angiogram though, just an ECG and chat with the consultant.
Still, the wheels of the NHS are slowly grinding into action

[Wicky]

Pulled up the only 4 of my overwintering onions that made it they are going straight in the pot tomorrow.

Strawbs doing well and finally, flowers on me French Beans!

[alan refail]

Sun-cream time seems to be about to arrive.

[Primrose]

Yes, just wondering if it will be tempting fate to get our gazebo out of its winter storage. Was going to sow some more lettuce but suspect temperatures may be too hot for seed to germinate. Lettuce seems to be one seed that doesn't like high temperatures for germination.

[Shallot Man]

Normally dig up my shallots on the longest day. Think I might give them another week or two.