July already, the gardening year seems to be flying by. Such a mixed up growing year that there are already signs of autumn before the summer blooms have had a chance to impress.

Yes it is true. Some summer perennial plants are blooming where others look like they are wondering whether to bother. A beautiful and hot April has given way to cool, if not cold, May and June. July so far is no better. Walking around the garden yesterday there are autumn flowerers that have buds swelling that look ready to burst open at any time.

But what about the summer bedding plants? Alyssum as usual is braving the elements and beginning to put on a show. The blue lobelia is only showing me the odd flower that should be teasing me for a great show to follow, I hope. The lobelia in containers is coming on at least but that put into the borders was devastated by slugs as the wet weather gave them the perfect opportunity to come out and gorge themselves.

It is not all bad news. I have grown a sunflower that grows to about 9 to 12 inches high and the first blooms have just opened brightening the containers with their beautiful yellow flowers. These too need protecting from the slimy swines as one I planted in a container next to a wall was chomped almost to death over night.  Another success is a poppy. Last summer I had a great show of orange poppies. The seed was sown a few years before but like all poppies they decided not to bother showing themselves until I disturbed the ground whilst preparing some new planting. I say like all poppies but this year I have certainly had an exception to this rule. A poppy showed itself through a crack in between slabs on my patio. Obviously seed from last year’s terrific show but there is no way that I have disturbed the surface under the slabs or even in the crack.

Up came this one plant but the stem was a bit week and lay on the patio paving. I took pity and tied it up to the stand of a pot I use at the entrance to the patio. To say it has thrived is an understatement. It has been tied in a few more times since than and yesterday morning I counted 60 flowers. Once again Mother Nature has produced a stunning display far better than I could have planned and managed.

The cold weather has held back the tomatoes but the first fruits will be ready for picking this week and I cannot wait. It is always a magical moment when the first tomato is picked. Will I manage to be the first in the family to taste it? I doubt it very much but there is a first time for everything.

The inclement weather is not causing a problem to the lettuce. They seem to be growing before my eyes at the moment. A mixture that will produce a colourful picture on a plate as well as being tasteful.

My friend gave my some gooseberry bushes last autumn. Gooseberries layer themselves readily and he kindly gave me several that had layered themselves as my wife likes the fruit. I have never been that keen but whatever variety these are, the name has been lost in time, I have to admit they are not as sour as the ones I have pulled my face at in the past. This weekend has produced the first good picking and there are more yet to come.

Recently I wrote that I wondered whether the grey caterpillars would attack my Solomans Seal this year. Well yes they have but not in such great numbers as last year. When I last mentioned them I could not remember what they were called but now can say that they are sawfly.

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