This year I sowed some Toadflax and transplanted the seedlings along the edge of the top path. They are now flowering profusely and seem to be enjoyed by the bees.
Behind the Toadflax the later of my two espaliered apples, "Sunset" is now ready for picking. The Apple crop this year has been massive, in part this has been due to the thorough chilling of last winter. There has been a little codling moth damage so the trap will have to go up next year.
Each year for the last three or so I have grown some Sunflowers, my current favourites are "Pastiche" and "Velvet Queen" both of which are branching , multi-headed types. These are planted out pretty much any where there is something I can tie them to. This usually means at the ends of Pea rows or on the corners of the Broad beans or any where else there is a handy cane or stake. If I have any spare canes I also let any that have self sown and ended up between rows of veg remain. Through the summer I cut a few flowers for the house but otherwise leave them to go to seed for the birds. This year the birds have been very keen, i dout there will be many self sown next year. Birds seen taking seed this year include, Dunock, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit and, for the first time that i have seen, Bramblings. I am so pleased to be able to help these creatures out. I hope they will return the favour by eating some pests for me.
