GARDENING: The time has come to enjoy the spectacle

Things are moving on in the garden. This is the first time in years I`ve had the wigwam structures that support runner beans erected well in advance of the plants being ready.

Such luxuries are possible when restrictions on personal movement beyond the homestead coincide with a spell of decent weather.

Balancing time between various sections of the garden can become difficult when this annual growth surge takes off, but with more time on our hands that aspect has become easier to manage of late. We`re well advanced with the main ornamental borders, weeding, feeding with fish, blood and bone, and forking it gently into the surface. I`ve finally called a halt to moving bare-rooted plants around. Time has come to stand back, let everything grow, flower in season, and enjoy the spectacle. Don`t forget to get down to ground level occasionally and view the dwarf flowering plants close-up. Heathers are alive with hive bees right now, and groups of blue violets at their best. While examining a mound of flowering saxifrage by the natural pool I came eye-to-eye with a well-camouflaged amphibian - a surprise for both of us!

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Soft and top fruits are all set up for their annual performance, indeed, the plum and pear are already in bloom with early apple blossom about to join them. A recently worked fruit and vegetable plot, some 6 metres by 3, is currently holding my attention. Apples and thorn-less blackberries run up one side, and the main planting area is shared between permanent asparagus and strawberry beds. Spears of the former should start appearing any day now, and the first strawberry flowers are already beginning to show. Our six main island vegetable beds are so easily managed. They`re elevated, with flagged pathways in between ensuring easy, year-round access, and each offers five square metres of growing space. One of these happily bears two crops in succession over a twelve months period. It begins with the planting of early potatoes in spring and when the last of those are dug in late August, it welcomes winter brassicas, such as Brussels sprouts which are still offering produce. The end of August might appear a little late to start planting young sprouts, but these are not small specimens, they are sown in module trays around June and transferred to first pots when large enough to handle safely.

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