There is nothing nicer than being able to sit outside in the evening and take in the delightful scents that the July garden gives.

Fragrant pinks, heady lilies, philadelphus, roses, sweet-smelling stocks, lavender and sweet peas, each delights individually. Together they contribute to a midsummer pot pourri.

The perfumes of our garden however are not designed to attract us humans, the reason for scent is to attract the right pollinating insect to the right plant.

No two species have the same scent; plants that need a bee to pollinate them tend to offer a sweet smell, whilst those that require the help of a beetle offer a more musty one.

Plants pollinated by moths tend to open their flowers at dusk when the moths are at their most active and those that need to attract flies offer an unpleasant scent.

A primary reason for scent explains why sunny day scents are stronger, as this is when insect activity is high.

My personal favourite is the sweet pea; mine are only just getting going (I was a little late getting them in). The trick to success with sweet peas is to grow in a sunny spot and keep picking. If you allow flowers to fade on the plant they will be replaced with a seedpod.

Pick them and you’ll be rewarded with fresh continuous blooms.

July also brings an allotment abounding with delicious edible produce. The berries are all out in force,

I’ve got a good crop of blackcurrants this year, so lovely served hot with vanilla ice cream, the cherries are ready (no starlings yet but I’m sure they will be around soon) and plenty of raspberries.

I’m also cropping broad beans, the first of the courgettes, French beans, lettuces, herbs and new potatoes.

The pigeons have had my peas so I will sow another lot and try to cover them before they get those.

Cucumbers are nearly at a size to pick and the tomatoes are getting redder. Picking & watering & damping down in the greenhouse will be a big job for a while, if this fine weather continues.