10th August 2025

Welcome,

We are back to the hot weather which is a mixed blessing for the plants. We do water sparingly in the Vegetable Garden and the plants growing in pots but we are not used to such a long period of draught.

The French Beans have finished early, and the Runner Beans are now cropping. It’s been a disappointing year for the Sweet Peas, largely due to the prolonged dry spells and late frosts that hampered both germination and growth. In contrast, the Courgettes are flourishing, likely thanks to the consistent rainfall earlier in the season that established them well before the drought set in. Onions, which tend to favour dry heat, are thriving and it looks to be a bumper crop of Figs, their roots benefiting from the warmth retained in the soil. However, the Mint has suffered from powdery mildew, a result of the persistent lack of water and closely packed stems reducing airflow. Rocket and salad crops have bolted quickly, the sudden heat triggering early flowering and seed production. We have reduced the espalier apples to two apples per cluster, N.B the Step over apples at the side of the path are called ‘Scrumptious”

At the back of the Vegetable Garden growing on wooden frames are courgettes looking like trumpets called Tromboncino. It is said the fruits can reach up to a metre in length and has a mild nutty flavour holding its texture better than regular courgettes. Time will tell.

Overall, while some crops have struggled with the challenging conditions, others have performed beyond expectations, making this year in the garden a valuable source of insight and learning for seasons to come.

Tomatoes are cropping well in the Greenhouse and Cyclamen are beginning to appear in the shade of the Dell.

The water level in the Bog Garden has dropped noticeably over the past week, largely due to the ongoing dry weather. Despite this decline, plant health and local wildlife have not shown any signs of stress so far.

The rose flowering on the side of the Hall is Leverkusen- always late to flower with a mild fruity fragrance, and as the name suggests, bred in Germany.

Although the RHS advises against watering grass—assuring us it will recover—I find myself questioning that optimism. Looking at our West Lawn, with its brown patches, thinning areas, and a scattering of stubborn weeds, it’s clear that it will demand a fair bit of attention come autumn. Last year, after a particularly dry spell, we had to reseed several bare spots and coax the grass back to health—a challenge I suspect we’ll be facing once again.

Seed collecting time is upon us, and the Wild Garden has now been cut, allowing ample opportunity for seeds to settle into the soil for next year. This season, the branches of the 5-year-old Quince Tree in the Wild Garden are heavy with a bumper crop—the fruit glowing gold against the fading green, and releasing a subtle, sweet fragrance that drifts on the air.

Meanwhile, the Hebridean sheep continue their gentle grazing between the Water Meadow and Fishponds. Water Lillies have appeared in the Fishponds seemingly having made their way from the Moat, their broad leaves floating serenely on the still surface of the ponds and adding a tranquil beauty to the scene.

There is a shoal of 5 -7 quite large Carp in the Moat but a Cormorant has been photographed standing on the Moat bank eyeing up the fish. Red Kites have been circling and the Eyed Hawkmoth seen feeding on the Verbena Bonariensis. Quite a few Butterflies are on the Buddleja and Dragon flies on the water. A freshly dead jackdaw was found in one of the chimneys at the Hall. A current list of birds seen in the garden is in The Coffee Shop.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker