The Long Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta) can be found in open grassland and urban wasteland from April to November, peaking in July and August. It is common over much of Britain, though less so in the north. Migrants probably add to the British population in some years.

The larvae are predators of ground-layer aphids on a variety of plants including broadleaved crops and cereals.

Fruit, vegetable and Herb garden at Ightham Mote, Kent, England

Hellebore

Au jardin potager à Péguilhan, Haute-Garonne, France

For more from Midi-Pyrénées see my album Midi-Pyrénées...

© 2017-2019 Ivan van Nek

Please do not use any of my pictures on websites, blogs or in other media without my permission.

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An adult female Eastern Black Swallowtail (papilio polyxenes asterius) and a Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia).

a large table of red onions laid out to dry in the kitchen garden at Mottisfont Abbey

So, just to bore you further, here is my wonderful raised planting area. Pumpkins, Courgettes, more Tomatoes, Red Onions, Red Cabbage, Runner Beans, Sweetcorn, Brussel Sprouts and Butternut Squash. There is a potato patch just out of sight. The two wooden trugs to the left are Purple Mangetout and Peas.

The cage... well rabbits rabbits and more rabbits... I got locked in the other day... hahahaha, good job I had my phone, hubby had to come and let me out, I had a glass of wine so all was ok .....

I'm trying a new growing technique this year, although its been around for centuries called 'Companion Planting'.

Instead of growing each vegetable in a perfect row in its own patch, you mix it up, which has actually been around since colonisation, but not widely used now, although its starting to become more popular again. The Sweetcorn shades the Pumpkins, Courgettes and Butternut Squash, the Runner Beans climb up the Sweetcorn, the Beans give extra nitrogen for the Sweetcorn and the Squash mulches the ground keeping weeds and insects at bay. We do need insects and pollinators so I have provided insect houses for them to flourish away from my veggies.

Have a flourishing Sunday, off to water everything and tend to my veggies.

Debbie ~ KissThePixel2021

What a great idea

space saving and looks so cool

Seen this vertical garden pumpkin vine trellis at Helmingham hall (Kitchen garden)

Suffolk

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/nottinghamshire-lincolnshi...

Some vegetables, like this Swiss chard, grown in the new kitchen garden at Mottisfont, are used in the restaurant on the estate but others are offered to the public on a sort of pay-what -you-think-it's-worth basis.

I took a photo of the pink-veined leaves but bought some leeks, which came with their roots and a bit of soil. They were very good in a leek and potato bake for the evening meal.

It used to be quite a tradition, when I was young, for the family to go out on an excursion in the car and, as a bonus, to find fruit and veg for sale at folk's garden gates.

Simple pleasures...............

Octubre rosa/pink October

Echinacea, Prangins kitchen garden

opposites: foreground - backround

...in the flowers of the Indian Bean Tree

...this tree was growing in the walled kitchen garden at Mottisfont Abbey

The second of two flower borders in the kitchen garden of the Kingston Lacy Estate, this one is more established than it’s back-to-back twin. Behind the thatched seating area and to the right, are the greenhouses and other buildings, including the Gardener’s Room shown in yesterday’s postings.

...at Mottisfont Abbey

Project 365, 2022 Editon: Day 238/365

100x, 2022 Edition: 70/100

From the garden: kale, rosemary, jalapeno, basil, cayenne, sage.

I like almost all foods except extremely hot and spicy. Of all ethnic cuisines, I'm most skittish around Indian and Mexican. So why do I grow hot peppers? I don't know. They readily grow in containers and need little encouragement. Squirrels don't touch them. I discovered that jalapenos and some others are mild enough for my taste. Cayenne is very hot but a little goes a long way. One chilly adds zip to a whole slow cooker meal. They dry easier than anything. And of course they look great. In other words, I'm willing to experiment. If I'm in control, if I put it in, I'll eat it and live with the consequences.

Herbs, on the other hand, I love. There's nothing better than basil pesto. But sage is one of my favourites: indispensible for roast chicken and soup, it's extremely hardy in this part of Ontario, and the pebbled greyish foliage is so attractive.

Thank you to everyone who visits, faves, and comments.

ripe tomatoes, ripening tomatoes, courgettes/zucchini, grapes, pumpkin, melon, apple, chillies (with the ripe tomatoes), passion fruit... but I am most proud of the pointsettia... a gift from my neighbour at christmas and still alive and ready to turn red again... small things bring great joy... I laugh at myself.

Portland, Dorset - September 2022

Hellebore

Allium in the kitchen garden at Sculpture by the Lakes.

for nasturtiums and gourds seen on an August day at Mottisfont

nestled

pale orange

in green leaves

in the kitchen garden at Mottisfont Abbey (National Trust)

Stunning and beautiful colours still plenty of time for more colour as new summer plants are being planted now for August and September..seems a little late but hey hum!

191/365

- an arbour at Mottisfont Abbey

The fruit and vegetable beds sit within the Walled Garden at Chartwell and the whole area is a constant hive of activity.