As we head into mid to late summer my Fintry garden does not look so lush.  The recent stretch of hot weather with temps in the 30’s did take its toll.  It is always a challenge to keep the garden looking vibrant.  I was happy though this year with some of the summer bulbs including crocosmia and acidanthera.  They do fill in the gaps where early perennials have faded.  I continue too to keep the hanging baskets and containers going with constant deadheading and fertilizing.  They too add an extra splash of colour.  

Summer Bulbs

Hanging Baskets & Containers

This is the time of the year when I can take a little break from gardening.  Over the past few weeks I have been busy entertaining family and friends.   We have enjoyed suppers outside underneath the grape arbour.  I love to dress up the tables with freshly picked flowers from the garden.  The mosquitoes have been particularly bad but with a little ingenuity we managed to keep them at bay.  We used a combination of fans and diffusers with citronella scents.  

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Another great advantage when you have company at this time of the year is being able to pick fresh produce from the vegetable garden.  We have plenty of potatoes, zucchini, tomatoes, cucumber and herbs.  The beans are just about to ripen and the carrots and beetroot are a little delayed.  As we live a distance out of town this is always very beneficial.  I made a lovely fresh salsa (pico de gallo) from all the cherry tomatoes (although I think it would have been better with the romas).  I also did grilled parmesan zucchini which was very tasty.  

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Late summer perennials are coming into flower with some second blooming on some of the earlier perennials and roses.  Of note are the rudbeckias, gallardia, sunflower, phlox and flower heads on the sedum “Autumn Joy”.

With more close friends coming to visit (but still doing social distancing) it is time to relax and make the most of the shady spots in my front patio area. 

Until next time……