26 July 2026

Welcome,

This year we have encountered Honey Fungus, Box Caterpillar, Box Blight, extremes of heat and drought, and  now a hose pipe ban. Gardening is nothing if not a challenge.

The beans are flourishing and the excess will be on sale. Runner Beans are taking over from the French Beans. Beetroot is ready for lifting but not yet the Onions. The Sweet Corn is ready but Courgettes and Squashes are not. Our Summer Raspberries have been cut down but the Autumn variety is not looking too good.

We have started picking apples- 2 weeks earlier than usual, and as for the Figs- one tree has no figs at all and the other only an average yield.

It’s been the worst year ever for Sweet Peas- do I blame the potting compost, too hot when sown, lack of water or the fact that the wonderful Mr Matthewman has retired and no longer supplies his seeds?

The Senecio bank is being dead headed and the Delphiniums in the Iris bed cut to the ground, fed and watered.

Take care walking in the Fishponds- the ground has dried leaving cracks and it’s even too hard for the moles to come up. The Black Hebridean Sheep have resorted to eating the lush green Reeds and Sedge in preference to the dried grass but they have easy access to water.

The Mirabelle Plum Tree in the Water Garden has been devasted by the strong winds and almost the entire crop lies on the ground. Our winter supply of jam comes from this tree tasting like a cross between apricots and marmalade. Both yellow and red Mirabelle can be found growing wild in hedgerows and in the UK this delicious fruit is mainly ignored but in the Lorraine region of France it is much sought after and they even hold annual special Mirabelle Festivals.

Enjoying the shade in the Water Garden is the Oak-leaved Hydrangea with its creamy white flowers. The large deeply lobed leaves will turn red and purple in the Autumn adding to its interest in the garden.

Don’t miss the shrub Lespedeza Thunbergii growing in the West lawn. It’s pea-like purple flowers grow in long trusses and usually starts to flower in September

Enjoy the cool shade of the Nut Walk. Hedgehogs are still in the Wild Garden enjoying the shade offered by the tall grass which we are delaying cutting it back. The House Martins have had a second hatch and are busy under the eaves at the back of the Hall and there are new ducklings on the Moat.

The Carp are flourishing and clearly visible through the water and you might see an Eel – first in a long time.

Less than usual Dragon Flies but plenty of butterflies.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker