In the Kitchen Garden, the weather for June was drier than average. Rainfall for the month was 72 mm, 3 inches, 60% of average.
The fruit tunnel. The cherries have been excellent and are still producing fruit. We have 5 varieties. The fruit can be eaten from red through to black and they stand on the trees well in the absence of predators. Red spider mite is a problem and we will have to find a solution. We have planted part of a tunnel with pot-grown figs and hope to get some fruit in the future as those grown outside only produce a few fruits and the weather and wildlife reduce them to very few.
Polytunnels. The tomatoes are growing rapidly with the warm weather and are showing small fruits. The greatest success so far this year is the beetroot which, due to Helen hand-watering it, has grown very rapidly to usable size. We are also harvesting courgettes and swiss chard as well as the occasional cauliflower from a few that were sown about a year ago.
The outdoor veg We are growing as much as possible through landscape fabric this year to cut down on weeding though there are problems. One problem is the wind, especially when the sheet is dry - we planted broad beans and a couple of days later, the sheet had lifted and the beans were underneath. Cue for more anchors. Another problem could be the sheet shifting slightly and the crop no longer under the holes. A futher problem has come to light - volunteer potatoes from last year's crop are pushing the sheets up. We are not going to be defeated! Fallow beds and unused parts of holed sheets will be covered with complete fabric till required. Update - the broad beans look good, the brassicas and onions also but the carrots are patchy though good in places.
For more plant details see - This month in the garden at Ardtornish
Wildlife There are quite a few butterflies about. Small pearl bordered fritillaries, red admirals and lots of speckled woods. There are many golden-ringed dragonflies just now. At work, and despite the dry weather, I am having to stop the mower frequently and transport young toads to safety.
The only unusual bird sighting was a pair of crossbills bathing in a puddle by the road. They may be breeding nearby as friends reported seeing the same about a month ago. A spotted flycatcher was using our garden gate as a perch to spot insects from. There have been lots of piles of feathers in the big house lawns. I think the sparrowhawks have learned that the blackbirds and thrushes that feed on the lawns are easy targets out in the open.
Bird feeders. Many birds such as goldfinch, greenfinch and siskin seem to use the feeders when feeding their young then they go off and feed on natural things though recently some have returned. The great spotted woodpeckers, normally frequent, are feeding virtually all day from 5am till dusk and now the young are following in their parent's footsteps - I don't know how many there are but there are lots. Many years ago, it was unusual to see a woodpecker but now they are a common sight.
Here are some of my recent photos.
Left to right and top to bottom:-
30th June, 2009.