At last I managed to get my now very large front hedge cut. The blackbirds and thrushes have fledged and the weather and my health good this weekend. But, and there has to be a but doesn’t there, I have had to order new hedge trimmers. Emerging from the hedge at one end is a telephone pole held up by wire supports, one of which was now hidden by the hedge. However my trimmers found it and although there did not seem to be much damage to the blade the motor got a bit upset. I have ordered extending trimmers as replacements which should stop me having to climb stepladders to cut the tops.

We have been eating our own salad crops this week. The tomatoes and cucumbers are not ready yet but are coming on well. The cucumber flowers are so decorative, the yellow flowers brighten up the greenhouse.

What an interesting mix of salad leaves you can put together when you grow your own. Our mix was Mizuna, Greek Cress, Rocket, Spinach, Beetroot and Lettuce. The Greek Cress went down well adding a very peppery taste to the salads. The only disappointment to date is the Purslane which has been very slow. However I have a second sowing which seems to be coming along much better.

I have started my tomato questions and answers page and still have many questions left to answer.

My large Hebes are in full flower once more, beautiful flowers with a light perfume and much loved by the bees.

The first dahlias from my spring sown seeds are in flower but the stars of the show this week has to be my block planting of Lychnis grown from seed a few years ago, they may be too bright for some peoples taste in the garden but for me they make a real statement.

Something that flowers year after year but have to admit taken for granted is the Hypericum Hidcote. I discovered this wonderful shrub many years ago and would have it in any garden I created.