The sunflower below popped up as a surprise a couple of months ago – I think a bird must have planted it (although how he managed to handle the trowel is beyond me!). It’s so pretty and seems far more robust than the ones I planted.
The other good news is that the butterflies are starting to emerge and I’m trying really hard to photograph them. I’ve given up hopping around like a mad woman and I just stay still and ask them to come to me (not that this approach helps much either!). There are a loads of Cabbage White butterflies desparately attempting to break through the net on the brassicas to lay their eggs… but even they were too quick for me to clearly photograph.
I’m pleased to say that the Tortoiseshell Butterflies are the divas of the butterfly world and didn’t seem to mind the camera. They love the nettles that grow in abundance around my garden – I’d noticed a few holes in the nettle leaves and hoped that the caterpillars would soon be butterflies.
British butterflies aren’t very exotic but they certainly are pretty. I’ll try to photograph some of the Peacock Butterflies we have but they don’t tend to hold still when I ask them to so I’m left wondering…. do butterflies have Ears?
Moving on, the tips of the garlic had turned yellow and were looking rather scruffy so they were dug up and left on a wall to dry. Just as I’d finished tidying the bed the sky grew darker and I could hear thunder in the distance. Worried that the garlic was never going to dry I hung it over an old rake in between two low walls and covered them with a cloche.
My fiendish plan seems to be working – the air is circulating around the garlic and the rain is being held at bay. The cyclical nature of gardening means that as one job is completed another begins. And the big question I have at the moment is…..
…. what on earth shall I sow in this bed now that the garlic has gone?
The Pyjama Gardener 
Ingenious system you have for drying garlic! I hadn’t noticed the fantastic view that you have from the garden until I saw these photos.
The views are really pretty around here and it makes the gardening such a pleasure. The garlic seems to be doing nicely now!
I agree! What fantastic views. Love the sunflower. Our best Cosmos and pumpkins were also planted by birds or squirrels.
I’m amazed by the view as well 🙂
Pretty butterfly photo!
How about some spinach?
Spinach is a good idea – I’ve already got a small row in that bed but I do use a lot!
Great way to dry garlic – i might give it a try.
I’m not lucky enough to have a greenhouse and it was too smelly to put in the house. The shed is full of chicken supplies so this seemed like the best option 🙂
I am in awe of your beautiful garden (and garlic)! I have a total black thumb (i.e. the opposite of a green thumb), but your garden is inspiring! 🙂
Thank you… sorry you have a black thumb! But you have a great sense of style and I spend most of my time in wellies 🙂
I was going to say something about the ingenious garlic dryer, but I see someone else beat me to it. Just shows you that the best ideas happen under pressure.
I just need to invent a sunshine machine now…..
I am so digging that beautiful sunflower, it has to make you smile every time you see it! I vote for a beautiful Bibb lettuce.
The lettuce sounds good! The sunflower is beautiful and the insects love it x
I bet your chickens will love it when it is nice and dried out, if the birds leave any seeds
I envy both your garlic and your dilemma of what to plant in its place! And I love the vicarious joy I get by “visiting” your garden.
Cheryl you can pop over anytime for a chat and a cup of tea 🙂
I’d swim the pond, if I could!
It’s all beautiful and I love your view! You could plant lettuce if you don’t have any elsewhere? I just bought some mesclun mix that I’m going to try.
Thank you – we are really lucky to have a pretty view. I’m thinking of lettuce myself x
Trying to photograph butterflies and bees is tough but worth the effort.
I’ll persevere Mary – it’s just not been a dry enough Summer for them here unfortunately.
Your garden looks like it has a nice view. How cool. I wish I had garlic this year. My onions are drying right now as well.
I would imagine that your onions will dry out quite quickly? I’m really looking forward to the garlic as it smells lovely x
When do you find is the best time to plant garlic?
In the UK we traditionally plant garlic on the shortest day of the year in December and harvest it on the longest day in June. I didn’t plant mine until February this year so my harvest is a little late but still looks great.
I’m unsure when it would be the best time for you to plant garlic?!?
2 of my favorite things! Your garden is amazing!
Thank you x
Have I mentioned here that your garden is amaaaaaazing? With all that space, I would think you can grow everything your heart desires.
Awww – thanks 🙂 I’ve dreamt of this place for so long and it’s finally coming together x
The butterfly you managed to capture is gorgeous! British butterflies may not be exotic but they have some pretty cool names! I can’t wait to see the peacock butterfly! When I photograph them I usually find a good spot to sit near one of their favorite plants and click away. Thank goodness for DSLRs!
Thanks Karin – I’m trying to get half as good as you with the pictures but it might take a long time! I have some very funny bird photos that are so out of focus I call them “Blurreds”!
great butterfly shot! And that is certainly a fiendish plan, your garlic is looking fab, big and fat and juicy!
You could do a late sowing of french beans. I agree that butterflies never stop still long enough to capture them with a camera – what you need is a long angle lens – or so the experts tell me.
Beautiful sunflower! I am jealous of your garlic too, I haven’t tried it yet, and I love it, it’s on my spring to-do list!
Lovely garden. Were those onions drying? I am growing onions this year and am not sure how to dry them…any pointers?
It’s garlic but it’s dried the same way as onions. Ideally leave them in the sun to dry out and let the air circulate. I’ve previously laid them on a mesh frame or hung them up in the shed. We have so much rain here though that they can’t be left outside uncovered!
What a gorgeous garden you have! So jealous!
Thank you for visiting! Loving your blog too x
What a lovely sunny surprise they’ve planted with their wee mini trowels (hehe). If I were a tiny bird, I would have picked that exact same spot. I’d fly in every day to adore my masterpeice and enjoy the delicious scent of the sweet peas near by. Then if time permitted, go say hello to Womble….not to close though.
Did you decide what to plant in the bed where the garlic had been?