Summer in Full Bloom at the Garden

5k sponsored walk

As July rolls in, we’ve been enjoying the beautiful sunny weather—though it’s certainly brought its challenges as well as rewards. One particular highlight this past month was our 5k sponsored walk to Botany Bay, held in memory of our much-missed Chair of Trustees, Paul Burton. We’re thrilled to share that the event was a great success, raising over £600 so far for The Brain Tumour Charity. Thank you to everyone who walked, donated, or cheered us on.

Back in the garden, the intense heat and dry conditions have really tested our plants. Despite our no-dig approach, generous mulching and regular watering, heat-sensitive crops like sweet corn are noticeably shorter than usual this year, which will no doubt affect the harvest. It’s already got us thinking ahead to next season—possibly leaving some beds fallow and focusing more on heat-loving or drought-tolerant crops. For instance, basil, which we’re now successfully growing outdoors, is thriving in the warm weather and may become a more prominent feature in future planting plans.

One plant that has revelled in the sunshine is our Elephant garlic, which is drying beautifully in the open air. If you're growing your own, it’s crucial to harvest once the lower leaves start to brown but the top leaves are still green, then allow bulbs to cure in a dry, well-ventilated space out of direct sun for two to three weeks. This helps develop their flavour and ensures good storage quality.

In the polytunnels, where temperatures are soaring above 40⁰C, we’ve entered a near-tropical microclimate. Cucumbers are growing almost before our eyes, and our tomatoes are beginning to ripen nicely. For those growing cucumbers at home, keep them well-watered, feed regularly with a high-potash fertiliser, and be sure to harvest fruits while they’re still tender, before the skins toughen. Alongside them, Tromboncino squash are snaking their way outward, and the giant white nicotiana are adding drama and height with their showy blooms.

Out in the flower beds, dahlias, sweet peas, and cosmos are providing armfuls of vibrant colour and scent—perfect for fresh bouquets. Our stachys bed is at its peak right now, with stems in shades of pink, purple, and soft yellow. We’ve been bunching and hanging them in the cabin to dry. If you're drying flowers at home, choose stems when blooms are fully open but not past their best, and hang them upside down in small bunches in a dry, dark, well-aerated space to preserve colour and shape.

Looking after the wildlife in the garden is as much a priority as caring for the plants. Laura and Michael have ingeniously up-cycled some of our old living panels into bug hotels, using branch offcuts, pinecones, seed heads, and chicken wire. The result is not only visually striking but also a real boost to the garden’s ecosystem, providing shelter for beneficial insects like ladybirds, lacewings, and solitary bees.

Meanwhile, a generous donation has enabled a special photography project at the garden, with Angie and Rachel helping some of our co-workers to create images that express their personal connection to the space. 

Richard posed for portraits in the woodshed where he does most of his work and even captured a lovely portrait of Rachel. 

Laura made a wreath with fresh flowers from the garden and looked every bit the image of Frida Kahlo in her portrait. 

Michael and Laura also explored colour, photographing their favourites (Laura: pink; Michael: purple) throughout the garden. 

Rachel and David, meanwhile, created imaginative scenes with David’s Warhammer figures, setting them up in dramatic miniature landscapes that looked like stills from a fantasy film.

As the sun continues to shine, we remain ever grateful—for the garden, for each other, and for your support. 

We’re especially looking forward to welcoming many of you to our upcoming Music Day on Saturday 19th July, from 2–9pm—a celebration of summer, community, and good vibes in the garden. There are still a few tickets left—so snap them up before they’re gone!

Music Day poster credit: Will Rees @mrrees_