fragrance

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You have got to love these balmy summer days, when the wild roses are flowering along the hedgerows, and the dark yellow of the ragwort is blending in with the straw-coloured grasses now dried out from sun and water need. And the bright red of the fuchsia bells against the dark green foliage of the hedges all along the country roads. And the evenings when the scents fill the air, scents of night flowers, of grasses and trees, of the soil, delicious are the fragrances of the land as the earth cools down as the sun slowly disappears. How lovely these long and light summer evenings, stretches of brightness seen along the horizon as late as midnight – to reappear as early as four in the morning when the sky lights up again. I used to set my alarm to witness this magical moment to see the new morning appear, glad for another chance at life and anticipating a wonderful day. These are the restoring days of the year, the sun brimming with health giving vitamin D3 (well at least our bodies can avail of the sun to make it). It has been since 1976 that Ireland had a summer like this, with higher temperatures than we get here normally. And as the heat continues there is said to be a water shortage and resulting ban on using the water hose in the garden, so I’m keeping all my grey water and what is left in the rain water barrel for my vegetables. The dry earth soaks up the water eagerly.

At this moment I am very much out of routine, seems to be like this for a while now, my regular blog reading and writing has diminished. I miss it, but too much is happening and I’m getting little done. It is just that type of a summer I think – a summer of laziness, but also a summer of beauty and of enjoyment, of scents and sights.

I do hope that it is full of goodness for everyone of you too.

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Though busy with other things today, I took a walk in the garden as I knew that the sweet peas would be flowering. I also bought sprout plants to add to my winter collection, and a melon plant, first one I ever will grow, so another experiment. Despite the cool temperatures, the heavy rain, and the wind, the garden is doing well, granted the slugs are having enormous parties every night, a lot of my young plants regularly disappear as do the flowers of a variety of vegetables and flowering plants. But the sweet peas are surviving, their scent so fragrant, so beautiful.
Today I also re-potted my ginger plant, it’s still growing inside and doing very well but it was getting to large for its pot, so that is taken care of. I think that in order for there to be a good crop of roots the plant needs a lot of space. The Turmeric is also still growing well, as is the bitter gourd – I am watching the little buds and hoping that they will expand soon, today I also noticed that there are a few greenfly on the plant again, so tomorrow I will spray with garlic solution and that should take care of it.

Produce is starting to become more bountiful, though we only had a few strawberries, there are lots of black currants, the peas are swelling and we have eaten a few, beans the same. It’s great when the garden really starts to produce daily vegetables which can be made into delicious dishes, It gives such a good feeling to bring them in from the garden, and so onto the table.

I have a good helper in the garden, his name is Ruben and he is my grandson. Every week he comes to us and spends the afternoon, this time is often spent in the garden and I’m teaching Ruben, he is so very enthusiastic and he is such a joy to have along. He will be five in another week, and he is able to do the sowing, tells me when the grass needs cutting, and much more, we both just love working together.

Seeing it’s now July, it is now or never. Temperatures of around 15 degrees Celsius are ok, nights though are cooler. The garden does need more sunshine of which we have not been getting enough. Rain is plenty, perhaps a little too much. At least everything is lush and I am still hoping that there will be a good enough harvest of everything. And I am preparing to have plenty of winter vegetables in the garden, some of which I am now putting down as seeds.

I am finding it all much enjoyable and rewarding.