Through the garden gate-- July

Once again I'm joining Sarah at Down by the Sea for her monthly 'Through the Garden Gate' slot.

Everything is growing well in the garden now, the borders have filled out hiding the weeds. Occasionally I spot the odd weed raising it's head above the plant foliage and I can pull it out. It's a relaxing way to do the weeding--no bending! There's a lot of deadheading to do as flowers go over--that's another gentle sort of job--especially if the weather is very warm.

Some of the earlier flowering plants have needed a good cutting back, like the hardy geraniums which get to look very untidy when they've finished flowering and will sometimes flower again if cut back. This has left some gaps in the borders. It's a problem I have in my garden during July and early August that there can be a lack of colour before the vibrant hot colours of August appear. I bought a dahlia and a liatris to fill a couple of gaps, in other places I have put pots of flowering plants.

We went to a car boot sale last weekend. Richard hates car boot sales, but I love wandering around looking for bargains. So it's not a thing we do often, but we always manage to get a few bargains, usually old items which we can put in the garden to use as plant containers or simply to add a bit of interest in little corners. This time I bought an old copper coal scuttle complete with verdigris even Richard thought it was a bargain and was happy for me to buy it. 

I also bought an old metal lantern which the stall holder said she had bought in France, she said French stuff has lots of character! There were some other good things on her stall but I'd spent enough money by then. In time I will plant something in the coal scuttle--when I find the right sort of plant. I think a fern would look good.

It's good to be able to take time to enjoy the garden and July and August are the months for that. We have been spending time  having lunch outside when it's been warm, sitting with a coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening. Hope you've all been enjoying your garden this month.