The kitchen garden I made at the music school is well underway. All the herbs I planted in the square bed are flourishing and the Runner Beans are starting to run. The row of Munstead Lavender has settled in nicely. The Rosemary bushes I transplanted seem to be sulking a bit, hopefully they'll pick up. Plenty of Sage and Oregano which was there already. 

 

 Cutting the long grass in one of the meadow areas at the music school. The tall grasses going to seed are picturesque but on the verge of toppling into a thick mat and docks and brambles are starting to appear. A peasant of old would use a scythe but I am a latter day peasant so I got the brushcutter out.

 Most people worship the sun but gardeners pray for rain. In the past week my prayers have been answered. 

 Spring was a virtual drought in south-easterly England. February had been very wet so the dry March was not a problem, plenty of moisture in the soil. However there were no April showers to speak of; I actually got the hosepipes and sprinklers out later in the month. Watering in England in April??

 This continued into May and plants were starting to wilt with no rain and record heat. We had flaming June in May but fortunately May weather has arrived in June. Ah, damp cold days at last- glorious!

 

Hence the colour in the painter's palette: Cornflower blue.

 

 Giant Scabious (Cephalaria gigantea) attracts a multitude of pollinators: bumblebees, honeybees, solitary bees, hoverflies, butterflies and moths. 

 This Red Admiral was very interested in my potting table, or rather the splashes of water I made as I worked. It was a hot day and butterflies need to drink; note the long tongue supping...

Mellow yellow.