That was February; That was Summer

Garden Log: 2 Mar 08

That was February

That was Summer
Roll on Autumn

The average max temperature for Feb was 28.5C
our average is 30C so it was a bit cooler than normal.
Lowest minimum was 7.5C and lowest max 17.5C
Total rainfall for the 3 months of summer was 27.6mm
Our average for summer is 63.8mm.
The weather is already showing signs of Autumn
with much cooler nights.

Planting:
No seed planting during this busy week.
Trimmed back an Elderberry and took some cuttings;
tidied around its base and cleared and planted the area next to it.

Observing:
Spent some time just observing the garden this week:

Increase in Bee activity

Strawberries are sending out runners
- these are my 'stock' plants that are not allowed to flower.
Aphids are attracted to the flowers and aphids spread diseases.

Larger clay pots are working well
- 2 of the smaller ones in the tank beds
don't appear to be 'leaking' enough...

William Pears are ripening
- a treat whilst wandering round the garden!

Something (Blackbirds??) is scratching the mulch
on bed 8 around the newly planted Lucerne;
no damage to the plants yet.

The end Cherry tree I moved in bed 8 has sprouted new leaves
- I only moved it because when I pulled it up I saw new growth
on what I thought was a dead twig!

San Marzano Tomatoes from the late planting slowly ripening!

A tiny lettuce seedling has volunteered
in one of the potted Thymes.
Another freebie!

A few Vine Moth Caterpillars are on the Grapevines
- unless the numbers build up I shall just remove these by hand.
At this time of the year they don't do much damage
and the leaves will soon fall.