Notes on growing ornamentals and edibles, and musings on other matters that interest me.
One of the most tactile flowers I can think of, Pulsatilla vulgaris, is also known as the Pasqueflower. Pasque comes from ‘Easter’ (Pasqua the Italian – finally high school Italian pays off!) and it predictably flowers around Easter. As you can see …
March was such a warm month and subsequently plants really started taking off so that by the first of April, the front garden is much more lush than that of March. The broad beans have taken off fantastically, and in …
Narcissi amongst the strawberries I’m a bit behind with the sowing of seeds both in pots and down at the lottie. Today I managed to catch up a bit on both. I have found that I have no luck sowing …
The first of March. February, gosh, February, what a month. The weather went from deep freeze to being almost able to wear t-shirts. Only almost. I’ve never become quite British enough that I start stripping the moment the sun comes …
When at potato day at the end of January, I picked up Alan Wilson’s new book, The People’s Potatoes. I’ve already written about the engaging talk he gave on 20 Challenges and Opportunities for Potatoes, which he also talks about …
The winter walk includes many trees and shrubs that give wonderful winter colour: hamamelis, cornus, viburnum, betula and prunus Anglesea Abbey is well known as one of the best winter gardens in England. I’ve visited before and I’ll visit again. This …
Ok, slight cheat – it’s the 2nd day of the month. Does the fact I did my back in yesterday give me any grace? Front garden, 1st (ok, 2nd) February, 2012 Early February in the front garden. After January being …
Another benefit to attending Potato Day is the talks by specialists that are run throughout the day. I attended the ’20 challenges and opportunities for potatoes’ by Alan Wilson. It was a really interesting talk, and I learned quite a …
Happy at Potato Day Recently described by friend Manishta as, “my version of Xmas”, I went on my annual pilgrimage to Garden Organics 2012 Potato Day at Ryton. I love potatoes and I love going to Potato Day. Ryton generally …
After three years work, Kevin and I have finally cut down the worst of the brambles and the 2nd half of the lottie, not yet in cultivation, is now covered in black plastic. This feels like quite an achievement, though …