-
Food for the Winter
The rosehips have been providing dramatic colour against rare blue skies. The driveway has one long bed of roses and it is the one area of the garden where I seem to have provided enough fruit both for myself and for the birds. I have made enough syrup to last me through the winter, although…
-
A Feast or a Famine
The short Indian summer has been perfect for sea swimming and in recent weeks the water has been at its warmest this summer. However, the garden has not done so well and it looks dry and dull before its time. I have little hope of stunning autumn colours as many of the leaves are have…
-
Proof – If Proof Were Needed
I am becoming obsessed with the snails’ behaviour on my Hosta and started a small experiment earlier this summer. This is the result – the plant on the right lives in a pot outside the house where the snails have to traverse a gravel driveway and cement to get to their target. Child’s play apparently.…
-
Horsefly Heaven, Human Hell
The moment I arrived at my new home over thirteen years ago, I was able to identify one of the few perfect spots for a small garden. It is triangular in shape and sits in a hollow at the bottom of the drive, so it was possible to make it almost totally windproof in a…
-
A Mixed Bag
I am already dead-heading the buddleja on a regular basis but so far have seen just two butterflies. I am sure that the weather is to blame as calm, warm days are hard to come by. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the situation will change before the food they need disappears for the…
-
Eighty Two and Counting
Since my first garden, I was determined never to knowingly introduce any wildflowers, but to encourage and record what emerged. To date in this garden I have recorded over eighty varieties. I am confident that there are even more, as I have not even started on the field below the house. I am fascinated by…
-
More Suprises
My first apples. This is an impressive sight as I have never knowingly planted apple trees in this garden and now have two. They are half hidden in a thick and deep hedgerow that I created in an empty field when I moved here, so I guess they came with a batch of hedgerow trees…
-
A Feeding Frenzy
The silage was cut a few days ago and afterwards I had a very enjoyable evening watching the local foxes clearing the field. They obviously know the sound of the machines, as this individual was scavenging within minutes of their arrival. I am hoping to see some of the newly-born foxes at the autumn harvest.…
-
Catching Up?
I have finally managed to rejuvenate the corner decimated by the winter rains and storm Kathleen. Following the advice of one of the best gardeners I have ever known, I gave the Cherry ‘Kojo no Mai’ a severe pruning and a good feed. It is now showing some very healthy leaves so I am more…