Weatherwise, we've had nearly everything except hail and snow today. Temperatures averaged out at about 16 degrees during the day, but the wind was strong enough to bend the radish stalks over, and the rain heavy enough to knock gooseberries off the bush. A beautiful double rainbow made us feel a lot better about the soakings we sustained.
Although its still a little early I planted out the sweetcorn this afternoon. I'm off walking Hadrian's Wall for the next couple of weekends, and so now is the last opportunity before mid-July to get them in the ground. They haven't hardened off, but they have been planted under a mesh polytunnel, which should keep off insects, and the worst of the weather. Last year the badgers took all my sweetcorn, and so this year I'm hedging my bets - some will go into the new raised beds, and some have been planted in the ground, nearly as far from the garden entrance as possible. I also planted out some kale, having also grown them from seed in the greenhouse. My neighbour Victor gave me a top tip which I'm trying out this year - planting the new seedlings with toilet roll cores around them to prevent slug attacks. I'm really hoping this works as my cabbages and cauliflowers have been decimated by slugs this year.
In other news, most of the onions are doing well, the potatoes look great (the earlies should be ready to harvest once I'm back from the trek), but the beans are doing terribly - only about four of the thirty-six bean seeds have sprouted. I've a few runner beans growing on in the greenhouse so I can supplement the canes a little, but I suspect this year is going to be a Bean Failure.
The raised beds are the success of the year so far, sneaking top spot from the clematis, which really seem to have enjoyed the cooler weather. Other highlights are the Red Hot Pokers, and the marigolds, which are adding beautiful splashes of colour already. Thanks to Ewan for the pics...
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