We all make mistakes but at the time they don’t seem like mistakes, perhaps just over-enthusiasm, especially when I see something not readily available elsewhere. Fortunately my error was in my choice of only seed. I saw, I liked, I bought, simple as that. Litchitomate Solanium S. sisymbriifolium, or litchi tomato, and it’s various other … More A Thorny Subject
I can’t believe that our long, very cold winter and spring, have played a part of the substantial amount of flowers appearing on shrubs and trees. Even in the car, the smell from the number of blossoms along the roadside, can be appreciated. The elder is a useful tree to have, the delightful umbrella of … More Heavenly Scents
Leaving the garden for a while, the sweet perfumes still permeate the roadside air with blossom covered hawthorn. It reminds me of my last house with the long hawthorn hedge. It helped keep intruders out, provided safe nesting for birds, was a haven for many insects and an absolute pain to trim. Even wielding the … More Road Scents
It is such a joy to walk into the greenhouse and see flowers appearing on the plants for the first time. For so long now, the inside of the greenhouse has just been that – green. Now the seedlings are growing up and flower buds appearing, it’s time to make sure they get enough feed … More The New Arrivals
When I bought my greenhouse several years ago, it was my chance to get as many extras as I thought I needed, within my budget. Only having a very small garden, I was limited to size, but still wanted a comfortable retreat in which to potter. The greenhouse has extra height with high eaves and … More Waxing Lyrical
For months I have been complaining about how cold and wet it has been. The greenhouse was comfortable to work in most days, but we had a whole two days of sunshine – and what happened? The plants got scorched! A bargain deal of 72 lavender plugs for the price of postage was too good … More A Shady Deal
I looked at the budding rhododendron at the front door and thought what a wonderful transformation it performs, this deep pink bud opening up, bursts into a beautiful creamy yellow blossom with a maroon throat. It was inherited with the house, so I have no idea what it’s name is but it is my harbinger … More My Harbingers Of Spring
I have come to the conclusion, I sow too many seeds. I just like experimenting with and tasting the produce but I think I need to be a bit more practical. I have already grown over a hundred varieties of plants in my small area. I think that is enough to prove just what can … More Changing Seasons
We have been given this planet and yet we abuse it because we think we know best. The grass isn’t green enough, it’s too long, it’s not short enough etc. so we redesign the land of which we have been made guardians. We spray dangerous chemicals and artificial fertilisers and destroy land for the sake of … More The Rewilding Experiment
I decided to do a little bit of reconstructing my planting zone, it just wasn’t working for me last year, as it did in previous years. There was a fairly good reason for it. Between personal problems and a cold, wet summer, which I believe may have been an overspill of the previous winter, there … More Watch Your Butt
themagnoliatreeblog 