Summer pruning
This is something I have never done before.
Rain, endless rain has forced all these dry garden plants into the most absurd lush growth.
Tall, fat, floppy. And that’s not me. Nor the cat.
She is absurdly well, thank you. But I did not appreciate the just after 5am caterwauling event outside the window.
It’s the foliage in the orchard.
The ballota and the eragrostis grasses have gone beyond jungly.
So I waded in one afternoon when it wasn’t wet and just hacked like mad.
The plan is to find the spaces where I want to move the irises (spot the glaring bright plant pots in among the foliage).
So I’m almost there. And have the word ‘irises’ tattooed on my forehead for tomorrow. After the market. After the walk. After tea.
There has never been a better time for soft soil and moist summer transplanting of the irises.
And speaking of growth. Apples. For the first season EVER we have a glut of apples. It feels like we live in a pleasant climate where luxuries like apples grow.
And weeds. And grass. I’ve never mown in August before.
4th August 2021 @ 8:12 pm
After lightning correctly spelt, you are now offering me caterwauling. What delights! But back to the main show: the ‘absurd’ growth you are experiencing. Welcome to the constant mowing/weeding/strimming club! My main trouble this year is finding a slot to get the mowing done when it needs doing, which is about twice a week. Of course it’s not happening. Unexpected bonus: a continuous glut of mousserons in the ‘lawn’. I’ve had to freeze bagfuls for omelettes later in the season. There would have been apples if the rat taupiers hadn’t munched on the roots of the Cox’s Orange Pippin. I might be able to save it by digging up and replanting in a large tub. Gardeners are ever hopeful!
5th August 2021 @ 8:51 pm
Oh no! the Cox’s Orange Pippin. But that’s a treasure. How utterly frustrating for you. I feel your pain.