I don’t think I’ve experienced such a bad summer before, I’m sure I would have remembered it. I have complained bitterly about the last two summers but this one is one that beats all. Lack of sun meant tomatoes ripening before they had reached a size which would make them recognisable as tomatoes. They have … More The Weird And The Wonderful
Of course weather doesn’t go anywhere but it never stays the same, sometimes a gardener’s friend and sometimes an enemy. The problem comes as we are on a small island and very few parts of it are consistent with the national weather forecasts. It’s quite disheartening when within a few miles, one area is in … More Where Has The Weather Gone?
There is generally one pest, be it insect or weed, which universally dominates gardens and gardening forums are filled with people asking the same question, “How do I get rid…?”. If the answer was all that straightforward, we wouldn’t need to ask, we would know. I wonder however, if anyone looks at their particular problem … More Friend or Foe?
I grew Courgette, ‘Tondo Chiaro di Nizza’ about two years’ ago and it was delicious, so couldn’t resist growing it again. I tried Celtuce for about two years now and I have no idea where they disappeared to so I will try again. Sowing something new either for taste or curiosity will be grown again, if … More A Little Daring
It is so nice to see the spring flowers popping up everywhere and although I don’t plant many flowers for spring, there are times I can’t resist. Having covered the small patch of lawn at the front of the building with bark, it’s now an ideal place to display pots of shrubs and plants. It’s … More Magnificent Magnolia
The problem with having virtually no garden and growing in containers, is the amount of compost you have to handle in a season. I recycle spent compost, add some nutrients and it has usually been fine but I can’t get away with it with everything. Plants like tomatoes, courgettes etc. are thirsty, hungry, feeders, so … More Gardening Without Worries
The spring shrubs are preparing to show their finery in spite of the rain, wind and snow. The Camellia and its bigger siblings, the Rhododendrons are in bud just waiting to burst open in a few weeks. The Azalea is a little bit reluctant but there is still time for it to pull itself together … More Life Springs Eternal
I like growing kale, particularly to add to soup, but it is a lovely vegetable to eat whichever way you want. Kale sold in supermarkets is very rough cut and tough, and lacks flavour, so every year I battle with slugs, snails and caterpillars to grow it. I normally grow dwarf curly kale, then I … More A Healthy Option
Still the plant catalogues are falling through the letter box, advertising plants, seeds and many gifts to give a friendly gardener. I have tried many of their products between encouraging plants to grow and something to scare away the enemies. You can tot up quite a bit between all the deterrents, none of which seem … More Condiments and Coffee
The Christmas Rose in flower around December, Helleborus Niger, is a plant which brightens the darkest days. Promising that there are better days to come meantime, and surprising that the larger flower heads can be buried under the snow one day and emerge the next without frost damage to their petals. Another promising plant, Sweet Box, is … More The Sweet Box
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