the chocolate Labrador, on a warm day back in late June when I was told that he had bone cancer so I sat on the low wall and made a fuss of him as I always did whilst I chatted with Mike, his owner. I occasionally met them on my way back from the plot or saw them from my living room windows but as I hadn’t for two months I guessed that when I next saw Mike he would have sad news to tell me. Sure enough this morning he told me that Harley had died early in July. I’ll miss his greeting bark and wagging tail with fondness and a smile. I wasn’t surprised to see Mike with another rescue Labrador, this time a light coloured one named Monty who’s only two and a half. He licked my hands, shed hair over my dark trousers and stuck his nose in my bag so I guess we’ll get along just fine.
This coming week I’ll be looking for items to exhibit at next Saturday’s horticultural society show. It looks like remaining dry and a touch cooler as a first hint of autumn.
Have a good week!
Looked at closely they really are wonderful flowers. It’s a shame that many people consider them to be just an annoying weed.
Monday and Tuesday were damp and dull days so I stayed at home. I sowed some more seeds in pots including cosmos, sunflowers and tomatoes. The windowsill is now full, and as usual germination has been variable with the best being the sunflowers. Here are three each Autumn Time (top) and Musicbox. The cosmos Sonata White are rather leggy so as I’ve plenty of seeds I’ll probably discard them and sow some more.
Later in the week when I was plotting I rough cut the grass paths and edges all round. Sadly the red tulips Toronto are now finished and already shed their petals, but the daffodils are still doing okay especially the white Thalia. The foliage on the two very small first early potatoes Lady Christl planted in large pots has started to appear, and I’ve picked the first few rhubarb stems.
Next week I’ll be sowing some annual flower seeds starting with the California poppies (eschscholzia californica). I’ll be sowing them among and around these ones which overwintered and are showing new growth. Hopefully this will give me plenty of colourful flowers over a long period.
The last 
I was kindly sent a copy of this book back in mid-August to read and review. Apart from browsing through it then reading properly I’ve also read various excellent blog reviews as well.
Whether you prefer formal or informal, cottage garden or exotic there is something for everyone in this book, not forgetting vegetable growers. How about this iron tunnel planted with runner beans at Helmingham Hall Gardens, Suffolk.
Flighty's plot 