"Summertime Blues"

Do I like the summer season? Yes, mostly. I like the sunrises and sunsets, the clear blue of the sky and white clouds in all their variety, the birds that whistle in the early morning and evening, the washing that gets dry in a few minutes, the chance to wear fewer and prettier clothes, the longer days providing more opportunity to be outside, knowing that it won't rain halfway through a picnic or outing, the chance to have meals out on the deck, and lots more ....

.... It's just those days when the temperature rises into the high 30s and the hot winds blow that I don't like. I can keep reasonably cool in the house even though we don't have airconditioning, but I hate what those days do to the garden.

We had a wonderful Spring this year. Our water restrictions have eased although not removed altogether, and many plants flowered longer than usual. As a result I'm only now clearing the gardens of spent plants and renewing the mulch cover to try and retain as much moisture as possible. Sweet Peas, Queen Anne's lace, Californian Poppies, Larkspurs, Pink Evening Primrose and Cornflowers have been pulled out; Penstemons, Aquilegia, Sweet William, Dianthus, Silver Pyrethrum, Calendula and Carnations have been cut back; and Alyssum and Gazanias have either been pulled out, cut back or left to be covered up with mulch.

With temps of 38 degrees forecast for the weekend, Richard and I have been spending a few hours each morning pushing and spreading barrowloads of mulch. I was very pleasantly surprised to see just how much of last year's mulch was still providing a good coverage in some areas. The beds look so much tidier and I'm sure the remaining plants are happy to have their roots kept a little cooler.

Another bed still to be cleared.


The heap from the last couple of days waiting to be put through the shredder, maybe this evening when it's cooler.


Forest Litter mulch - sticks, twigs, bark, leaves, soil and the odd unrecognisable item. It's coarse enough to allow the water to penetrate easily yet still retain moisture and coolness in the soil.


Getting there.


Helichrysum - has lovely silver velvety leaves and seems to never need watering.


Euphorbia - flowers have lasted for months, changing from bright green to rosy pink.


Miscanthus sinensis - one of my very favourite plants. I love grasses and must get lots more as they are so carefree and drought tolerant.


Kangaroo Paw - hardy Australian Native plant with flowers in unusual shades of green, yellow, red, pink, and black.