Yesterday surely was a red letter day – at least on the gardening front.
We had rain.
We did.
Enough to soak the top inch of soil. This I discovered in late afternoon when I went to dig up some Rooster potatoes whose leafy tops had been cut off some weeks ago. I was surprised the rain hadn’t penetrated more deeply. We’d had a few heavy downpours during the day, along with gentle summer showers in between. It just goes to show how much rain is needed to nurture crops and all growing things. In fact, the soil under the potatoes had baked into an ashy crust, reminiscent of Bishop’s Castle’s very particular brand of lime mortar that holds our house together, the crust only penetrable with a hefty thrust of the garden fork.
But for all that quibbling, the garden does look relieved, some plants almost perky. This includes the runner beans which had been too overheated to make any beans. Now, with the cooler temperatures, they are abuzz with bees and (hopefully) making up for lost time.
And in the bottom of the garden, our little crab apple is looking especially grateful. It was planted last October and, as a new young tree, has been struggling during the long dry spell. Buckets of tap water really don’t quite do the job, although obviously better than nothing. But the tree has survived and has a mass of little apples which are growing in redness by the day. I’m trying to recall the variety. I especially wanted a tree that was good for jelly, so it may well be Jelly King. Or if not that, Red Sentinel. It will become more obvious in a few weeks time when the apples gain their full colours. Happy thoughts of jelly making, though not of rushing too fast into autumn.
It is amazing what a little rain can do for the garden.Plsnts can be very forgiving.
it was glorious wasn’t it yesterday, but as you say we need plenty more – gorgeous reds by the way 🙂
Thanks, Becky. More rain from this evening apparently.
fingers crossed for the steady sort!
Oh, another Crab Apple Jelly Queen. Now we no longer have a garden with one, I struggle to find any. I keep looking, though at the moment (and successfully) for wild mirabelles.
The wild mirabelles sound an excellent substitute.
They’re wonderful. Just hauled in another kilo…
We could use a bit of rain here too. As you hope summer doesn’t leave to soon, we look forward to fall when temperatures begin to cool down. But I never want the days to go to quickly. Time seems to fly by faster and faster as it is.
You’re so right about the flying time, Janet.
Congratulations on your rainfall Tish. In California we know the problems that come along with years of dry weather. Our last drought lasted 3 years. However last winter filled our reservoirs. Are your crab apples edible on their own or just used for jam?
The crab apples would be too sour to eat raw. We have other apples coming on in the garden, although the blackbirds have started on some of them.
That’s what I thought. Enjoy your jam!
🙂
Good to see some rain, and love the crab apple
Thanks, Sue.
We had a very mizzly day, I suspect it barely wetted the surface of the soil.
It’s frustrating, isn’t it. Teasing the plants like that!
Supposed to rain tomorrow, but I have heard that before.
It does seem a long time since you were all grumbling about the rain xx
It has been several months with hardly any rain.
How relieved you and your plants must be. Those crab apples and beans will now flourish
Yes, and some more rain today. I’m just off to see how everything’s faring outside.
Hurray for the rain. Rain drops captured so gently, Tish.
It was so good to have some rain. There may be more in a few days time.