Monday, August 10, 2026

A new plan of action..................

Now that's it's nearing the middle of August, I am getting tired of all this heat and humidity, and am reluctant to go outside in it.  So my garden is suffering because of it.  So my new plan of action is to go into the garden for 20 or 30 minutes a day, and focus on one patch of garden to weed and tidy up.  I have to say so far, so good.  I guess it's just like inside of the house, doing a quick ten minutes tidy up, when you have ten minutes spare.

Below is my rhubarb patch, and it is still growing like crazy.  I was talking to my mother about it, saying I was surprised it was still going strong and could I still pick it.  We thought as long as you peel the stems it should still be fine to stew.  Are they any rhubarb growing "aficionado's" out there that could tell me if that's true or not?

Also growing there are two honeysuckle's and two clematis.  I cut them down to nothing last back end (our word for Fall/Autumn), so was surprised at how well they have grown, albeit with very few flowers on this year.

I also picked up two lilac "twigs" for a couple of dollars each.  You can see a tiny bush on the right hand side, with a black plant pot protecting the stem.  They too are growing quite well, but it will be a few years until we see any flowers I am guessing.

The rest of the photos are just some flowers in my garden.  Nothing exciting, just some coneflowers and some lillies.

I included the photo below, as I put in that cork screw grass into my annual tub.  There is nothing much left alive in that tub, but the grass.  I first saw that grass in Tennessee, in a garden centre, and had never seen it up here, so was surprised when I saw it this year.  You can read more about this plant here.  Our gardening zone is 6a where we live, so I may cut this grass back and cover it with mulch and burlap to see if I can over winter it?  It has two choices, it either survives or it doesn't........😁
Finally this photo shows my hanging basket sitting on one of the rocks in the garden waiting for it to rain!!!  We were forecast for thunderstorms when I took  the photo, so always take them down to get watered by mother nature.
Although I have tomatoes on my three plants, I have yet to have one ripe enough to pick.  I would have thought they'll all be ready in another couple of weeks; no doubt all at once.  However, I am not going to complain as a neighbour gave me them, and they were seeds from her late father's plants.

How is your gardening season going?

Also I have managed to get a few posts written up to publish, so this week, my goal is to catch up with everyone's blogs to see what you have all been up too.  


18 comments:

Angela said...

My rhubarb's survived despite the heat. And I made a crumble

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

My rhubarb is starting to look pretty rough. I don't think I would use it for anything now. However, maybe yours is a different kind? Your gardens look lovely, especially your vines that you cut back. They've really filled in! -Jenn

Magpie's Mumblings said...

I think, as long as you haven't let your rhubarb go to seed, it's fine to use. I would use the thinner stalks though, just because the thick ones could be somewhat tough. Your garden is looking lovely!

My Piece of Earth said...

Rhubarb has been the topic of several blogs I have read recently. All noting fresh rhubarb was picked from their gardens and made into a crumble.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Hi! Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog! I am not sure I would use Rhubarb after JUly 1st around here...usually it sends up that flowering stalk by then and it is done. The Old women used to say that after it flowered it turned poisonous...but that might be an old womens tale:) Your Clematis is very tall! I enjoyed all your flower photos. I see we both follow Life at Golden Pines also.

Meanqueen said...

I am doing a bit at a time, with plenty of sit downs in between jobs. I have just come back in after an hour of hedge cutting. The electric trimmer does it a lot quicker, but getting the cable out and plugged in, then putting it back afterwards takes time.

Anonymous said...

We keep using our rhubarb until it freezes.As long as it keeps growing I'm using it,it's free food and organic.

Gill - That British Woman said...

It has indeed been super hot in the UK

Gill - That British Woman said...

I think that I will give it a go with the rhubarb and see how it goes

Gill - That British Woman said...

good plan of action, using the thinner stalks.....

Gill - That British Woman said...

I add strawberries and stew it and have low sugar plain yogurt on top, it's yummy

Gill - That British Woman said...

yes, I have "known" Kim for years, lovely lady.......

Gill - That British Woman said...

hedges do require a lot of maintenance, that's for sure.

Gill - That British Woman said...

I think I'll do the same........

Jeanie said...

Wow! Your garden s fantastic!

Lowcarb team member said...

Nice photographs of your garden, the one here is quite parched with the extreme hot weather we are having.

All the best Jan

Maggie said...

I always thought rhubarb was past it's best when July was out, but the weather has been crazy so if it's tastes ok keep picking. We haven't had rain in weeks, it's so dry even the shrubs in the ground are struggling.

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

Hi Gill, your photos are beautiful. I haven't been out much due to the wildfires, heat and humidity here in Montreal either.
I live in a 6th floor apartment so I don't have a garden. The flowers that are thriving here in spite of the heat are the lilies and the Hibiscus.
Take care of yourself and stay safe and hydrated.

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