No Mow May?

This week feels as though summer has arrived with its hot, dry weather. The reminder it's still Spring is the tree pollen! I couldn't resist a few photos of the flowers in bloom at the moment. With the start of no mow May it's worth being a bit more flexible with the dates, this year's early Spring has meant leaving wilder spots earlier for earlier emerging insects and nesting birds. 

(If you can't cope with an entire lawn of unkempt grass, try leaving longer areas under trees or mow lots of paths. Or just plant some insect friendly flowers in your borders or pots.)

Spring Garden, despite the rain...

Click HERE to catch up with the wildlife in the garden on my YouTube @ripplestone channel.

 

Waiting for Sunshine...

After such a hot early Bank Holiday, this May is all about trying to get on top of the weeds and seedlings. Planters now have onions, carrots, climbing french beans and strawberries. New fences are settling in, still some building work to be completed later in the summer. If last year was all about cutting back, clearing, repairing and reclaiming space and light in the garden; this year is the year of organising and planning...

forget-me-knot & geum

Cranesbill

Aquilegia

climbing rose & willow trellis

Herb Robert,

Hosta and lavender leaves

Box hedge knitting together

(note to self ~ pheasant eye Narcissus need forget-me-knot to grow through next year!)

Osteospermum and ground nettle

Scabious

Damage to irises from slugs and snails

Green border

top of the wall plants