At last the wind and rain have stopped. For two days we have had strong winds blowing in from the west accompanied by non stop rain. Apparently there has been a month’s rain in the last two days, that’s about 4 inches. The rivers, ditches and lakes are full to capacity and the waterfall, which is usually a Winter feature, is back on the mountain.
In the garden the worst fatality was the Angelica. It had put on tremendous growth and was standing, rather magnificiently, at about 6 feet tall. It is however battered to the ground this morning. It will, I’m sure, rise again.
By the garden gate the Honeysuckle is coming into flower. I’m so glad this was’nt damaged as it has grown well. The scent is lovely and I really like the flowers. I grew this from a cutting.
Now is a very good time to start taking soft wood cuttings.Was watching Gardener’s World last night on the BBC, Carol Klien gave a good tutorial on how to do this. Carol is brill, I love her easy relaxed way of presenting and teaching.
In the micro-climate of the polytunnel all is well. Growth is rapid right now and everything is lush. Produce is in abundance, right now we are harvesting Lettuce, Spring Onions, Beetroot, Herbs and Spinach. Spinach goes to seed quickly but I sow some new every few weeks. There’s nothing to beat your own fresh Spinach. We also grow Swiss Chard which lasts a year before going to seed but proper Spinach is my fave. I love Nasturtiums in the polytunnel. They are of course edible, but they also attract beneficial insects which prey on nasties like greenfly.
These Nicotiana have come into flower in the last few days. Cosied up in a pot in the closed polytunnel, it was’nt opened for 3 days, has encouraged them to bloom. Thanks, whoever invented polytunnels. It certainly makes life easier, at 600 ft above sea level here, it would be impossible to grow fragile things without them.
Every available receptacle has been used to capture rainwater. The way our weather is changing, who knows, we could be back to drought conditions again next week!
Happy gardening!
arignagardener 
Bridget your blog is just beautiful! I absolutely loved reading this post and seeing the photographs of your gorgeous herb and vegetable garden! It is very inspiring! I see you have seen my newest little project on my blog and well, lets just say, one day maybe I will be growing things like you because it really is so much fun and very very rewarding! If I have any gardening questions I now know where to come! Rosie x
For such a storm, looks like everything faired well. Whew!
I’m so glad the polytunnel is fine. I love the honeysucle, he look great.
The polytunnel looks great! Can we have some normal weather please?
Whatever normal is!
the more I see of your polytunnel, the more I know we will have one once we settle down somewhere after our Grand Adventure. The honeysuckle looks wonderful – impressive that you grew it from a cutting. You have a serious green thumb!! Glad the rains have passed without too much damage for you.
I love your photo of the honeysuckle! Honeysuckle has a wonderful smell, but Lonicera japonica is an invasive species here and we try to get rid of it. We do have a native red form, Lonicera simpervirens, which is not so invasive, but unfortunately it lacks the smell, though the hummingbirds love it.
Good to hear that there wasn’t too much damage. We also had two days of high winds and the only fatality was the echium – that and one of my rusted arches – a great excuse for me to replace it with chestnut stakes
Everytime I see photos of your polytunnel I get a teeny bit envious!
We’ve has similar weather all week. Fortunately little damage although over in Aberystwyth they didn’t fair very well at all. I’m so envious of that polytunnel. I can see why it is so useful for you. I love Carol Klein, she is so inspiring and has such a warm personality. Her ‘How to Grow Your Own Garden’ is an excellent book.
Off to take some soft wood cutting now. Carol has spoken!
She must be obeyed!
That sure is a lot of rain in a short time. It’s a shame some plants were pummelled, but everything looks fantastic in your polytunnel. The Jasmine looks fantastic too.
I’ve been hearing about all the wind and rain on the news flooding in Wales today and people rescued, so far it has not arrived this far north, sorry your garden took a beating the poly tunnel is worth it’s weigh *** wish I could have one, Frances
The last few days’ weather have been ‘challenging conditions’ for gardeners, but your polytunnel looks to have come through it all in great shape. We were in Galway last week (what a beautiful place) – got back last night, and the rain and wind has arrived in Yorkshire this afternoon!
I love your micro-tunnel!! I’ve just “reclaimed” a shrub bed by stripping out the rocks and fabric.. planting pretty herbs and ruby red rhubarb.. it makes me so happy just looking out there now:)
Bridget so sorry about your lovely garden getting a beating…..mother nature is not discriminating……..your pictures are just lovely and that is very scary about that landslide…wow!
The Honeysuckle and Nicotiana look great. I hope the rain eases up. Continuous rain makes me depressed.
I am always amazed when I visit your blog at how lush everything looks. You must have really fertile soil.
Jane x
My little girl stopped me from watching Gardener’s World last night!
I love the way the plants are laid out in your polytunnel. I need to buy some spinach as I love it. So far, I’ve relied on beetroot leaves for a spinach-type leaf.
oh dear! we are in scotland for a while myson is at our place in geevagh he did not mention any damage, bet the wind has blown flowers off th elders AGAIN I lov e elder jelly last year vertually no berries because of wind. We are not far below where 2008 land slide was. Worry sometimes. we are in a lovely place but do miss what is happening in my garden will be back for while in August will have lots wok to do. hope your garden recovers. good harvesting!
Thanks Briony,
the damage from the storm was only minor. Mostly gardens bashed about after 2 days of wind. Our Elder still has its flowers so hopefully yours will too. Take care.
Bridget
It is horrible when the wind flattens things and it seems to be getting windier each year so I’ve already decided to grow more dwarf varieties! Your honeysuckle is really beautiful and I can’t believe how well everything has grown in the polytunnel.
Carol Klien’s book on propagation is excellent… really clear guidance, lots of pictures and written in her usual warm and encouraging style.