The first job today was cutting down much of the quinoa. I’ve left the spongier-feeling ones in place for now. What’s harvested is very dull-looking and what you can crumble out of it is just white quinoa. It’s strange, I expected the grains to be different colours too. I’ll let the branches dry out in their paper bags a while longer, but I think maybe they’re done in terms of use for me. The macro shots at the perfect colourful point were good though.

I’ve finally made it all the way along the ledge in a satisfying weeding session. I’ve ripped leaves off aquilegia that were swamping things, but otherwise left them in place. I have 3 speedwells that I need to try and preserve, but which are quite fragile clumps that you suddenly find breaking off in your hand. I’ve also transplanted a foxglove that came away from near the apple tree to roughly the middle of the ledge.

The first two-thirds of the ledge are mostly aquilegia and thrift at the front, which is fine. The last third is much barer now that I’ve removed the weeds and buttercups. There’s room at the back for me to put in verbenas and maybe some screening to stop weeds coming through. I mustn’t put any plastic down on the back though, as I have a few bulbs right at the back here and there.

I’m wondering about a low reed screen along more than just the back fence too. I was thinking it would be handy against at least the left edge too to stop all the nettles and grass poking through.

The pink bumblebees are on their way out. The stems are black and much of the fruit is split. I’m getting in the mood for clearing and tidying now.

Areas like Bed 7 are still going strong though. The nasturtium by the obelisk has suddenly woken up and is doing what it was meant to do earlier, flowering and climbing the frame. No sign of the other climbers; I guess I’m better off just sticking with easy, reliable favourites.

The physalis plants have dropped quite a lot of ground cherries, but none of them has been ripe or managed to ripen at home. It was another late bloomer figuratively and most of its growth has been in the last month.

Lots of apples to come.

Today’s posy. Sometimes it’s difficult to remember to bring home some flowers for enjoyment, even though you know that dahlias, for example, don’t last long. Never mind, flick out the earwigs and take them home anyway.