Hats off to the lone Gardener

It has been a manic time with monkeys and school holidays and working in between. I have been continuing to visit my gardens and enjoy their tranquility. I work mostly with people dipping in and out of my day and the time alone mixed with someone nearby suits me just fine.

Some time with a client this week, planting and cropping Dahlias, Cropping veg, edging and tidying borders for a big Christening she will be hosting this weekend. All is ship shape.

Another garden I tend to had been slightly neglected by me but nothing a couple of hours couldn't sort. The mix of Summer rain and sunshine had given a good crop of French Beans and Courgettes and Carrots, so I was lucky.

My days at Heale this week were spent mainly alone as HG is on holiday. Man, hats off to the lone Gardener. I had the ear worm of 'I'm going slightly mad' by Queen going round and round all day long! I don't think the full time sole Gardener role is for me. However, I did achieve a lot and enjoyed the freedom of a big garden and trying to think about what areas would benefit from what.

Main crop Potatoes needed cropping, drying (to bake them and stop them rotting) and storing away. All other veg continues to provide - Courgette, Carrot, Pak Choi, Rocket, Herbs, Chillies, Salads. What a bounty.

Our beloved Sweet peas had finally given up. Almost 5 months of give and they could give no longer. They have been glorious and nothing beats that first time you crop a load of flowers and smell their scent. They take some time to bring down and the area was incredibly weedy. Empty space now, weeds to come or fill with another crop quick!

I managed to fit in lots of smaller tasks, leaf blowing, pot watering, greenhouse feeding. The Heale Aubergines are looking great and we have different varieties which is interesting.

When the visitors come it is so lovely. They all want to chat and they all love the garden. One Japanese visitor yesterday was so excited to see the Perilla (Shiso) herb we are growing, she told me all about how she uses it in pickles as it colours the veg and she hadn't seen it anywhere else before. 

 Even HG came by (on his week off the nutter) along with the other Bird off Twitter - Holly (gardenbirdblog). Great to see her.

My main friends were an Egret (early doors), Bank Voles (sneaking past you'd have thought but really quite bold), The Robin, Papadum the Peacock, couple of Chickens, and a big fat Toad that emerged from the Sweet peas. I have loved my work but certainly miss a chat here and there.