17th August 2025

Gardening in August is always a challenge but never so much as this year where the heat has persisted throughout the Summer.

Water is expensive and we water sparingly in the Vegetable Garden and where plants are in pots.

Due to water shortage, mildew developed on the mint (now cut down) and courgette leaves (now removed). Despite the dry conditions, weeds are thriving, and we’re working to clear a significant number of thistles.

The sprouting broccoli has demonstrated strong growth and has now been properly staked. Squash and Pumpkins are romping away.

The Runner Beans thrived after watering, giving us a large harvest, but Peas, French beans, and Beetroot are nearly finished. Radish, Lettuce, and Rocket have struggled due to insufficient watering.

Figs have loved the heat and we are looking forward to a bumper crop of Apples. The Plum Czar yielded heavily, and Victoria is now ripening.

Tomatoes always need watering and they too are enjoying the heat.

The Buddleja lining the Moat have all been grown from cuttings and they are dead headed to keep the display going.

The Catmint lining the Iris bed was cut back and that is now flowering again.

Cyclamen are emerging in the Dell’s shade, while the chamomile lawn and Jaquemontii trees require some watering.

The Daffodil area was cleared several weeks ago, and the Crab apple trees are now bearing fruit. Historically, this location served as a loading point for fish harvested from the ponds, which were then transported by cart to destinations such as Binham, Walsingham, and Norwich.

Weeping Pears are either side of the path to the Bog Garden where the tall purple spires of Thalia are flourishing.

Enjoy the shade walking through the path in the Water Garden, home to Hydrangea and Zantedeschia at this time of year, and then up the path through the Hemerocallis and Hosta to the bridge crossing the Moat.

Oleander are still flowering in pots beside the Moat in the West lawn. The Geranium Psilostemon was cut down and is now flowering again.

We had 2 widowed Geese (Fox) in the Fishponds but we think they have fallen out and one has decided to make his home beside the Moat. You might also see a very tame white duck which has appeared from nowhere and busily settles itself around the water. Cormorants and herons are active near the water, but a group of large carp remain untouched. In the air, buzzards and kites are among the raptors present.

Otter Poo has been spotted by a garden visitor. Mindful of the fact that our Black Swans were killed by Otter swimming beneath and pulling them under water we are having to keep a careful watch-but not much we can do other than watch!!

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker