June In The Garden - Let's not talk about the weather

The seedlings I planted for my wedding are looking quite pathetic but the dahilia's are coming on slowly but surely. I have a Plan B if these flowers I have planted for my table decorations don't come to fruition and that is my florist lovely Mel at Ena's Florist in Westbourne, is coming to my rescue, and I'll just have to buy some flowers. I'm not growing the flowers as a cost cutting exercise but for the joy of nurturing the seedlings and seeing the flowers I have grown, on the table.

I had been searching the net to find someone who sold slices of wood with the bark still on, to display my rustic looking wedding cake on. I could only find people in the US, so I thought go to the source and so I contacted Upton Tree Specialists in Wimborne to see if they could help me. They were so helpful and gave me a beautiful slice of wood, exactly how I wanted it, with the bark still on - how kind.

I would say that most of us grow vegetables for the pleasure and to be healthy knowing that no chemicals have touched the leaves, so if the lack of sunshine continues and our vegetables are a failure, then we can buy them at the local supermarket but this prospect has made me think about the people in the world, who's very survival depends on the weather and subsequent harvest. It's a completely different world we live in and I for one am grateful that we have a choice if our harvests fail, albeit more expensive veg!

My tomatoes in the greenhouse are looking splendid though and so are my poblano chillies. I am so grateful for the greenhouse this year. At least I know these crops are going to be a success and I can make plenty of salsa.

That said, my brussels are growing a treat. The next thing I must do is net them before the cabbage white lays their eggs on them. I have never grown sprouts before, so it's quite exciting seeing them thriving.

With the summer solstice just gone, the light evenings are my favourite time for sitting in the garden. We have put up solar lights on a net, on some trellis which divides the garden and they look lovely as the evening light falls.

Looking out at my garden now, the lavender, centranthus and roses are just looking gorgeous. I have a stem of crambe cordifolia which smells like honey and the astrantia major, dark red and white varieties are looking lovely too.

I think I'll take a stroll down the garden now, although the wind has just got up, so I think I'll need a jumper.

Tomorrow is the start of a new month, so lets wipe the weather slate clean and all imagine July to be warm and sunny.

Here's hoping!

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