Chive Talking...

Well, these past few days have certainly helped fill up the water butt! I’m rather grateful I haven’t suffered the severe flooding that some parts of the country have been experiencing, however, my small suburban garden is now looking very soggy indeed. The heavy downpours have saturated the soil and knocked leaves and flowers onto the ground, making quite a mess. There’s been no sign of butterflies all week, but a welcome burst of sunshine has encouraged a solitary Red Admiral out from hiding to take advantage of the remaining buddleia blooms.

The geraniums definitely look worse for wear but I have to say I’m impressed with this years chives. They clearly enjoy the damp conditions and are looking quite spectacular at the moment.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

Wet, Wet, Wet...

After spending two weeks in sunny Corfu I returned to find that the constant rain that the UK had been experiencing while I was topping up my tan had brought on my small suburban garden a treat!

Before jetting off, there was no sign of geranium flowers, lavender or buddlia blooms and I’d assumed that not much would change in just 14 days – but how wrong could I be?

Not only was the water butt full but the buddlia had grown several feet higher and was covered in flowers. Just a shame it’s been too wet for butterflies….

JULY 20, 2012 

Water Butt-erflies...

While watching the numerous satyr comma butterflies and cabbage whites flitting about on the buddleia, I almost missed the fact that the water butt was also proving to be a popular resting place for my delicate and colourful garden visitors…

SEPTEMBER 18, 2011

Toad in the Hole...

Despite living a considerable distance from the nearest pond, while I was pulling up the petunias (which had become all leggy and sticky) I almost jumped out of my skin when something close to my hand moved. Once my heart rate was back to normal, on closer inspection I could see a common toad…just sitting there…in my small suburban garden!

Within a few moments it’d made it’s way towards the water butt, where there’s a small, muddy bowl of rainwater hidden underneath a tangle of jasmine. I managed to quickly take just one photo before my visitor vanished…

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011