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Late Autumn in the Garden – The big tidy-up
Late autumn is a strange season of conflicting emotions for me. To be honest it’s my least favourite time of the year. I know we have the spectacular colourful displays from the trees, as their leaves blaze with fiery reds, golds and coppers. And when they first drop to the ground, dry and crispy, I can’t resist the temptation to run through them kicking them up in the air. But once on the ground they become soggy and slimy! I find it rather depressing as the garden starts dying back and everywhere looks a mess! But it’s necessary! We all need a rest, even the garden. I’m much happier once…
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Gardening through a pandemic – Part 5 Spring 2021
March, April, May 2021 Who’d have thought this time last year, that twelve months on we’d be in a third National lockdown! Admittedly the second was only a mini break, but still! They always say “it’s a good job you don’t know what’s coming” and it’s true! The amazing news however, is how many people in the UK that have already been vaccinated. Something to be truly proud of. So here we are in spring again! Luckily nature and the seasons know nothing of a human pandemic and carry-on regardless. I do think most gardeners would pick spring as their favourite month, I certainly do. All the trees and plants…
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Planting the Magnolia border
Garden transformation Part 18 – View from the Kitchen. The magnolia border is a rectangular border 8ft wide & 11ft long. It is in the corner of the L-shaped patio, and the bed you look out on from the kitchen window. The plan of the garden all started with six raised vegetable beds and everything else grew out from them. As these beds are symmetrical it left two rectangles just off the patio. The one on the left is the quince bed, which is included in the kitchen garden, with artichokes. On the right-hand side is the magnolia bed which is part of the ornamental garden. Looking out from the…
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Tulip’s – Rain stopped play!
The tulips were doing so well! Admittedly the single early’s had pretty much finished, but the Darwins, Doubles, Fringed and Lily Flowereds were hanging on in there. My late doubles were just coming out, so are looking a bit sorry for themselves, but fingers crossed they’ll dry out. When I’m asked what is my favourite flower? I always say tulips. It’s not exactly true as I think it’s impossible to choose, I love all flowers. But the tulip slightly stands out for me. Whether it’s because it’s so early in the season and we’re still desperate for bright colours after the winter? The different varieties of tulips I have, grows…
