<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/weeding-by-numbersAug20.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-6415 size-thumbnail" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/weeding-by-numbersAug20-150x200.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="200" /></a>There are times when I think gardening shouldn't be called gardening but more specifically weeding. It's my own fault because I clear an area of weeds then step back all smug and satisfied but when I look again in a couple of weeks the border is back to square one. I should give the ground a quick hoe once a week and it will save me a lot of time.

I spent a whole day on my hands and knees clearing the corner border to lick it into shape. Thanks to my exercise regime my knees can take it.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/corner-borderAug20.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-6414" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/corner-borderAug20-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>

Five hours later there wasn't a weed to be seen and the lawn had been edged to look as manicured as I can make it.

I do need to get some more plants into the borders generally to give less room for the weeds to grow.

It felt very satisfying. Now where's the hoe?

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/beansAug20.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-6413 size-thumbnail" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/beansAug20-150x200.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="200" /></a>

The Runner beans and French beans are doing well; certainly more than I can eat so I need to be a little creative in my cooking. I've started using the beans as a cold element in a salad and I'm thinking of cooking them up with chopped tomatoes and courgettes to make my own version of ratatouille. I'm also part cooking French beans and then frying them as a stir fry with courgettes and Cavolo Nero.

At least I can work in the vegetable plot without fear of getting stung by my bees.

<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alongside-garage-beforeAug20.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-6412" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/alongside-garage-beforeAug20-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>Next week I've got a chap coming to do some hard landscaping. This area alongside the garage has always been a bit messy. It didn't matter when the trailer was parked there but since it was sold (4 years ago) it has never been tidy.

It will be block paved all the way to the back of the garage and join up with the block paving on the drive. There may be a step down onto the tree lined walk but that will add character.

There's a piece of lawn at the back that will be removed but the grass always struggled to grow under the trees. In two weeks this area will be transformed.