With everything as ready as I can make it, Judgement Day has arrived! In a few hours time, the four judges from Charlton Kings in Bloom will be arriving to critique the garden. No place to hide now. If there are weeds, I can’t find them. If there are dead flower heads, I’ve missed them. Good stripes though!

I am pleased the Echinaceas have begun to open but I wonder if I should have removed that allium seed head!

Sweet peas are looking lovely and smell divine.

If they want to use the path I’m in trouble. Friday’s rain made everything lean. Agapanthus should impress them.

The changes made to the middle garden earlier in the year have paid off and it is far more interesting and colourful now.

I like the way the grass paths now disappear around the corner of the new beds.

By removing the old Garrya elliptica and scruffy bit of lawn, the new gravel area is a good addition and a great place for a rest and a cuppa.

In the back garden, the raised beds have performed well again this year with bumper crops of fruit and cut flowers.

The Alstroemeria ‘Sweet Laura’ are impressive but will be thinned out in the autumn before they take over.

The cordon grown Sweet Peas have been a challenge which I could have done without and won’t be repeated next year. 

Some plants are so easy and so well behaved they deserve their place in any garden. Lychnis coronaria is such a plant. The crimson and the white versions work well together.

A few last minute adjustments by the under-gardener and the stage is set. Fingers crossed!