Day Lily happily quenched
The Heatwave
The heatwave that lasted for seven wondrous weeks departed in mid July and we have had LOTS of rain glorious rain!
I felt greatly relieved and so did my plants…
The intense heat suited some plants but not others. The Roses loved it but Rose James Galway (seen below between Rose Paul’s Scarlet) looked incredibly pleased when the drought ended.
I enjoyed taking photographs of my flowers adorned in raindrops:
Sadly, my new Lily Manitoba Morning did not flower for too long in the heat.
Hopefully, she will thrive a little better next summer.
Wild Flowers
I scattered a wild flower mix among the gaps in my borders for a bit of zing. Unfortunately, lack of rain stopped them from germinating but they are now galloping ahead.
Dierama
My Dierama also known as Angel’s Fishing Rods are growing HUGE. I think they will need a bit of division in the autumn.
Apples
Two years ago, I had a terrific crop of apples. However, last year, my trees produced much less. I am happy to report a bumper crop again this year.
In a few weeks time I shall be able to pick them, and stock my freezer with homemade apple pie.
Yum!
Jobs for August
Saving Seeds
Seeds can be saved throughout the summer season – to pass on to friends or grow on for planting out next year.
These Aquilegia produced thousands of seeds in June, which have now been dried, saved in envelopes, and stored in a cool dark cupboard.
I will pass them on to my gardening friends.
Watering and Feeding
Watering and feeding continues as needed. Please honour any hosepipe bans which have been enforced.
Deadheading
Deadheading throughout summer will ensure a profusion of healthy blooms on Roses, Calendula…
Planning
August is a good time to plan any changes to your planting schemes. Look around your garden and see what is working well, and what needs a tweak.
In my garden:
- Lychnis coronaria tells me it would be happier next to Heuchera,
- Lysimachia needs removal where it has overgrown,
- Echinops is hidden at the moment and will move to a better spot…
Autumn is an ideal time to move perennials to new homes, but you can enjoy creating a new planting scheme right now.
Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.
We are still waiting for some real rain, incredible dry everywhere. Greetings from Berlin!
LikeLiked by 3 people
I think we will all appreciate rain more after this summer. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Too late for farmers in Central-Europe or England, the situation is not so easy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your garden is doing well. I love the way you use every corner for planting.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Bella. I have plans for changes in the autumn. There is always a project on the go…🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow you have so much energy
LikeLiked by 1 person
The wildflower mix look stunning.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you David. I try to keep the bees happy. 🌼xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you had some rain. Your flowers really showed they got some good drink. We need rain also, but we only get rain in winter. I just came back from Portland to see my daughter and her baby. When I arrived in southern California tonight, it was 99 degrees F.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Goodness Miriam. That is hot. I think the rain will be appreciated more here in Europe after this summer. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
I heard that the water issue will become law in California. We don’t know how it affect us yet. We don’t get enough rain. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It all looks lovely with the raindrops Brigid. So glad the rains have come. X
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Barbara. I was so glad of the rain.
LikeLike
I absolutely know how you feel. During summer in Australia our gardens turn brown from lack of water. But just one good downpour changes everything. I hope this signals the end of your drought and you can enjoy your garden for the rest of summer.
LikeLiked by 2 people
We have sunshine back again Barbara. 😎
LikeLike
It will be appreciated much more after such a dry summer everywhere…🌼
LikeLike
Your garden is a wondrous sight, Brigid, Love the wildflowers and roses always remind me of my dad he loved his roses…A lovely post 🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Carol. I always think of my mum when I sit beside my roses. She loved them too. My dad was also a terrific gardener. He spent all day outside in summer. X🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mine did as well, Brigid …Lovely memories we share don’t we? 🙂 xxx
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow what a presentation of beautiful flowers, Brigid and simply love your garden dear. Rains are so good after a hot, hot summer. Here in India too we are having lot of rain. Beautiful post.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Kamal. I have learned to appreciate the rain. No rain no flowers. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome Brigid and yes we need to appreciate all seasons they are so important to us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looking lovely! Your dierama looks fantastic, I bought one this year but it just looks like a few blades of grass at the moment. ☺
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. My dierama was like that for a year then it took off! 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
So uplifting Brigid. Thank you for sharing your summer garden with us. You’re so talented. 🌺
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Andrea. The garden is my haven. It keeps me sane 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fabulous photos as always, yum to the apple pies.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you. I made my first apple pie yesterday. It did not last long 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would not in my house.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Send us some rain, please. What wonderful Angel fishing rods you’ve got!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you. We are back to hot again today. We were very glad of the rain. 😎
LikeLike
Greetings from New Mexico…102 F (38.88 C) for weeks but the monsoons are here…finally.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great to see you. You will be glad of the rain. How would we manage without it… 🌼
LikeLike
Looking Lovey Brigid, love the angel’s fishing rods. Px
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you Paul. They are taking over…x
LikeLike
I love rain, Brigid. I would love to live in a wet climate. Sometimes I think South Africa is a horrible, dry, hot place to live [smile]. We are never happy! I love you glorious garden.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Robbie. It has been such a treat to have lots of sunshine but we so needed the rain. I feared for my garden. Thank you for the Facebook share. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never seen Dierama before, but those look outstanding! Another to add to my planting list.
LikeLiked by 4 people
They are quite beautiful and sway about on windy days. Well worth planting. 🌼
LikeLike
Brigid’s garden makes me so happy.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Kim. I am so glad. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Still no rain here, either, but they are forecasting it for Friday. 🙂 All your flowers are so pretty, I love the colours of the wild flower mix. 🙂 xxx
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you Heather and Dizzy. I hope you get a good downpour to feed the plants. My wild flower seeds are coming on a treat now. XXX 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
glad for the rain, those poor things looked like they loved the raindrops so much. your pictures are very pretty Brigid, you capture them in little portraits. much to do in August to prepare for the next season, the joys of being a gardener is knowing you can continue to make life bloom.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Gina. I really feared for my garden with such a long drought. It is much happier now and I so appreciate the rain.
LikeLike
Your garden is lovely, Brigid. Thank you for sharing your love for gardening with us
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure Luda. I enjoy writing my gardening posts and the flowers and plants love having their photographs included.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Xoxoxoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sounds like you & your beautiful garden were dancing in the rain Brigid. :-Ď
Jennifer
LikeLiked by 3 people
I have thought of doing just that Jennifer and perhaps swimming in the rain too…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your garden is absolutely stunning! Thank you for sharing it. I am especially partial to those wildflowers, gorgeous!! 💟🌞😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Lisa. I love wild flowers. They always add a bit of zing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That day lily is so gorgeous! They’re my favorites. And your wildflowers are so pretty.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. I love the raindrops on the flowers. They were so happy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looking good. My apples seem to be on a two year cycle. Last year very few this year looking at mass chutney supply.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes. I think the trees need a wee breather. Enjoy your chutney.
LikeLike
We also had a little rain here that the flowers were grateful for, the grass too, though the grass could do with a lot more by the looks of it! Starting to look like desert land out there… Beautiful photos! =]
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. I think a lot more people will appreciate the rain after this summer. How would we manage without it? 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful flowers. I guess the heat wave was global! Brutally hot here, too and still no reprieve. I love taking pictures of flowers after a rainfall, too. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
My pleasure Debbie. I hope you get some rain soon. It has been such a terrific summer but we need water…🌼
LikeLike
Our rain, has come in floods. Then, we are beset with nothing but heat for days. Your garden if beautiful.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Ron. If only we could control the weather!
LikeLike
So nice to meet you! I’m sorry you have struggled with fibromyalgia. I too love natural, holistic healing and use flower essence by Bach. I was drawn to your blog because of your tagline. Having TBI has made me stop and SLOW DOWN, which I can say, God has used for my good. Also, I have a close friend from Newtownabby, so Ireland is a place I dream of going to! 😄 God bless you richly! 🤗
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Vivian. Thankfully life is good and I have learned so much on my journey. Flower essences were a huge help in my healing. They are truly wonderful. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes!! I use Mimulus for anxiety! A great alternative! 🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had lovely hot dry sunny days and it rained all night …. your garden must have been so relieved when the drought finally broke and I am glad it has survived so beautifully 😊 ☀️
LikeLiked by 2 people
It would indeed. If only… We have had a hosepipe in force and I really feared for my trees and shrubs. Thank goodness for the rain 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
We exist on our own well water here so the hosepipe ban is self-enforced as the cadence of summer plays out …. drought, déluge, drought, déluge. It’s horrid when one feels one can’t help the gasping plants ….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your plants are beautiful.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you. I would be lost without them. 🌼
LikeLike
So beautiful. New England has had similar weather, with heat and humidity for days on end, but now, it’s rainy buckets. 🙂 Happy gardening. Our yellow day lilies were out in late June to mid July, but our peach and coral lilies are keeping us smiling now.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad you have so many lovely lilies Pamela. I never thought I would be so very thankful for the rain until this summer. Other parts of Ireland are still waiting for it. 🌼
LikeLike
You just know so much about gardening Brigid!! And it shows. Glad for your rain to freshen everything up!! You know I love love your garden posts! thanks! Enjoy all that beauty right in your own backyard! xoxo
LikeLiked by 2 people
The garden has perked up from the rain. I am so thankful for it. X
LikeLike
Hooray for rain! We’re at our daughter’s house in Wisconsin where there is lots of rain and so many lakes– it’s all green and beautiful. Happy gardening friend!! xoxox
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your garden is beautiful Brigid! I love the raindrops on the flowers and my goodness mine could do with some too. It’s not often we miss out on the rain here in Manchester and I shouldn’t tempt fate but my roses have expired because of the heat and lack of water!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Wendy. Who would have thought we would be needing rain! I was glad to see it and so was my garden. I really thought I would be losing some of my shrubs and trees. Thankfully they are all ok. I hope you get some rain too. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely… Typical though – my lads and granddaughters went to Shell Island camping last night and got blown away – all the tents were flat and broken this morning and they had to come home!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear. What a great shame. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know – bless em! Good job we’re off on a trip very soon to make up for it! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey Brigid, your garden has become a familiar haven for me too through your blogs. 😃. Flowers are one of my most favourite things in this world and I am happy to meet new ones. Thanks for posting so that people in this corner of the world can enjoy them too
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you. I am so glad you enjoy them. My garden posts seem to be my most popular. 🌼
LikeLike
I love gardening too Brigid especially when the weather is warm. Warm weather and rain are perfect for the garden. I love the pink rose after having a shower of rain. Just beautiful!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Julie.It sounds like your climate is perfect for gardening. One of our local gardeners has a gorgeous garden full of exotic species from your part of the world. It is my favourite to visit. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gardens are a lot of work, but they give so much pleasure… Yours is lovey, Brigid! We’ve had a very dry year here in Maine and our apples won’t be ready for another two months. We peel, slice and coat them with brown sugar and cinnamon, then microwave for about 6 minutes. Once they cool, I pop them into freezer containers to use for pies and other delectable apple goodies all winter long. Right now, we’re picking berries, freezing and making jams. HAPPY GARDENING! 🙂 xo
LikeLiked by 2 people
Enjoy all the fruits of your labour Betty. I have made two apple pies in the last week – much enjoyed. I shall freeze some later but for now I am enjoying the summer. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
What fun reading about this. I met a woman in Gas City Indiana with the most amazing garden. She spent several hours a day weeding, replanting, tweaking. What a joy it is to walk through a well-loved garden.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Jacqui. I do several hours a week and sit in my garden as often as possible when the sun shines. 😎
LikeLike
Lovely gardens! I enjoy taking photos of all my flowers too. They are here so fleetingly that I like to keep a memory of them in my photos. Each year they look different too. Happy gardening! 💐 🌸 🌺 🌱 Hope you get some rain. We had a few thunderstorms recently that have helped keep the grass green and the flowers blooming.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Janice. We are back to a normal Irish summer with a mix of sunshine and rain. The garden is very happy. I am glad your garden is getting enough rain too. 🌼🌼🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know how I missed this Brigid. I always look forward to your garden updates, and when I realized I hadn’t seen one for this month I started searching…. I’m glad you got some much-needed rain. As always, your flowers are gorgeous!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Terri. I was so glad of the rain. The garden was so very dry. Hoping to get a good bit of sunshine before summer ends. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
I recently read that to prevent Apple trees from biannual fruiting you should thin out the apples on the heavy cropping year, this will increase the crop the next year. They said to remove the king Apple , that is the largest one in groups of three. I don’t know if it works, I just pass on the info😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Brian. I shall definitely give this a go. 🌼
LikeLike
Your garden looks wonderful, Brigid, even in the heat. Now you made me want to go outside!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Diana. It is looking more autumnal now with the hot summer. Plenty of jobs to do now before winter. Enjoy being outside. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. We have had lots of rain lately and everything is more autumnal. I have a garden post scheduled for Wednesday. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] The Garden in July 2018 […]
LikeLiked by 2 people
very thorough explanations. beautiful pictures!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. 🌼
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] via The Garden in July 2018 — Watching the Daisies […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks for the share. 🌼
LikeLike