Pond

January 16, 2019offtheedgegardening Leave a comment

What was to be done on this wet and miserable day? Why not head off to the woods? Hero, OH and myself went to visit Rambling Ron. Although we had heard tales of Ron’s few acres of woodland on the edge of the village, none of us had ever visited. Rumours of a newly dug pond heralded a self-invite. As arranged he was waiting in the road to direct us up the rough lane to the entrance of his land. “I didn’t think you were going to come” he said. “We are not fair weathers” we replied. We wandered along the grassy way, fern flanked, cautiously made our way down a slippery slope, stepping over mossy fallen trees to the virgin pond. It is fed by a spring that flows from a rocky outcrop higher in the wood. Native planting has begun around the margins, there is more planned. “Wildlife will come” we said, “It has already” he replied pointing out a deer print at the edge of the pond. If we have a hot summer Ron may well find some other wildlife in this large pond. Myself and Hero have already been planning our wild swimming forays.

Naturally we had packed provisions for our road trip. We stood at the head of the lane supping warm tea and coffee and scoffing stollen, all the while listening to tales of these woods. Promising to come again when the bluebells begin flowering, we headed home to warm up with home-made broccoli and stilton soup, buttered sourdough bread for dunking.

This pathway caught my eye and my imagination. Next time, hopefully a little more sure on my feet, I will find out what lies beyond the fallen tree arch.

Venus

January 14, 2019offtheedgegardening 24 Comments

Torrington Tina came a-calling this morning. After a nifty about turn, we headed off along the coast road, bound for Combe Martin. We parked in the car park above the beach where the waves were heaving white and headed off to seek adventure. Which was possibly a little optimistic as CM was mainly shut. However we found a fine bakery with a small cafe attached and drank coffee and chatted without repetition or hesitation for an hour and a half. It was wonderful. As we left TT bought Mr TT a sticky bun. I bought my OH nothing because, as of today, we are on a healthy eating regime. It was a kindness.

Yesterday was OH’s birthday and, amongst an assortment of other things, I bought him a Venus Fly Trap. Although he didn’t say so, I couldn’t help but feel that he was underwhelmed by this gift. I can’t think why, Venus is the goddess of love after all. This fact may have been lost on him. I can’t be certain, but he may well be thinking that TT is much better in the present department.

Six on Saturday – Firsts

January 5, 2019offtheedgegardening 28 Comments

You cannot get away from “Firsts” at this time of year. Wipe the slate clean and start all over. There is a lot to be said for that. A good approach to life. As the year tootles along these firsts will become fewer and far between, but not yet. And today was full of them, perhaps ad nauseam. It was my first time scrabbling about in the garden thinking “what on earth am I am going to take photos of and isn’t it about time the gardener sorted out this chaos” whilst trying to avoid the gaze of the curtain twitching neighbours who are nodding to each other in a knowing manner. It was my first proper gardening session. My first time driving since the leap of faith that was unfounded. And they are all good firsts. OH has a man cold so I offered to go to the supermarket. As I got in the car, turned on my music and shot off up the road I felt liberated. Torrington Tina told me that the worse thing about her injury was that she couldn’t drive and until earlier I hadn’t realised quite how much I had missed it. Later pootling about in the garden, getting reaquainted, I felt positive and inspired. So it is in this frame of mind that I present to you my first Six on Saturday of the year along with my first mention of our leader The Propadoodle.

My first picture, is of Fat Ol. He has been mentioned before and is my No. 1 favourite cat that doesn’t live in my house. I love him because he is big and ginger and has an extremely high-pitched meow. In human terms, he looks like a docker but speaks like the John Inman. And I love even though he poos in my pots. He accompanied me on my rummage before retiring to more important pursuits such as sleeping and snoozing.

Next we have my Tibouchina urvilleana, although you may not recognise it as such. The threat of imminent frosts meant a quick wrap around with horticultural fleece, not enough but I didn’t have much and there are plenty of other needies. It is still flowering beneath, which is a little bit sad. Shopping list for Monday includes more fleece.

Now we have a very persistent pelargonium. Situated in a pot at the front of the house, the land of perpetual winter gloom. This morning I picked off mouldy leaves and spent blooms. It won’t have any protection, there is neither room nor inclination and there are several around the gardens. It is every pellie for themselves. Who knows what the rest of the winter will bring, it might make it through!

Now for some pomegranate seed ….. not really, this is the burst seed pod of Sauromatum venosum. I sowed my first seed of the year today. A very restrained two. Big Orange Tomato and some mixed species plectranthus. Not these yet. I’m planning to do a little research as to the best way to sow these ruby nuggets. This may or may not happen. I may just bung them in a pot full of compost tomorrow and hope for the best.

Next we have proof that the nasturtium is not wholly indestructible. Today I pulled up reams of sog, finding all kinds of exciting things beneath, some I recognised, some not. Hopefully tomorrow I will have space enough to plant the alliums that are begging to be in the ground. Mind you, there are a few corners that the nasturtium still reigns supreme.

Lastly we have the husk of a flower. It took me a while to work it out, but I think it might be the remains of a sunflower. Whatever, I thought it looked pretty good lolling about in the rosemary. I’ve let it stay. For the moment.

There we have it, another first done and dusted. Have a look at what the other SoSer have been up to over at SoS Headquarters, you still have time to join in the fun!

Slow

January 3, 2019offtheedgegardening 5 Comments

Today was just what a winter’s day should look like, an identi-kit. Cold, but not too cold, golden and tranquil. Perfect for a walk. A slow and short walk of course. I am far from full health, but am equally as distant from my injury. It did us both good, we spotted badger and fox runs, confused bramble flowers, foxglove rosettes and the most incredible lichen. Slow is sometimes better than fast.

After lunch I wrapped myself up again and ventured into the garden. Tonight is forecast to be below freezing and some swaddling was required. I tugged pots under shrubs and into huddles. I carefully transported those small and precious enough down the steps to the courtyard. I tipped used compost in mounds over still-in-the-ground dahlia. And I crossed my fingers.

Whilst searching for last year’s horti fleece I pulled the door off the under stairs cupboard. “I’ll fix it when I come back in” I promised. I knew I wouldn’t have to.

Blanket of Love

December 31, 2018offtheedgegardening 30 Comments

We travelled home yesterday after a second Christmas with my family in Wales. Our journey was delayed, someone had been hit by a train and the line had been closed between Bristol and Taunton. I don’t know the rest of the story. It well may have been an unfortunate accident, but I can’t help thinking that life had become too painful for some poor soul. The festive period can be a gruelling time for the lonely and excluded.

Whatever the reason, it is a sad tale. One that has undoubtedly given distress and sorrow to many; the train driver, the emergency services called to the scene and those that knew the victim.

We were warm, had plenty to read and adequate supplies. Our fellow passengers were relaxed and we got home safe and unstressed. Still I couldn’t stop thinking about the person who had died so tragically and all those who find this sometimes cruel world too great a challenge.

This morning I discovered that a friend’s home was destroyed in a serious fire a couple of days ago. The family is safe but their house is almost certainly beyond repair and they have lost most of their possessions. However they are buoyant and positive and are being supported by each other and their friends.

Something else happened earlier today. And it got me to thinking. There was a ring at the door and a parcel left on the doorstep. Inside was a blanket, handmade by my friend Emma. A surprise, a wonderful surprise. It is beautiful but so much more than that. I cried at the kindness of it.

Friends and family can not always protect us from misfortune. But when adversity does strike, and as we know “into each life a little rain must fall”, it is these people who surround and embrace us. Even when it turns out to be a deluge and not just a shower.

My dear family and friends are my blanket, they fold their arms around me when I need it, they keep me warm with their love. I am very lucky and I am thankful. It should be said out loud every now and again. Happy New Year everyone, thank you.

Walk

December 24, 2018offtheedgegardening 11 Comments

This morning I went for a walk, slowly and carefully, around the gardens of Chambercombe Manor. It was mizzling and muddy, but I placed each step with caution, and managed a much longer walk than I had first envisaged. The camellia were full of fat buds, there was a lone flower on the hypericum, the cornus was laden with succulent baubles and the prostrate rosemary was heavy with dewy flowers. As we walked I distributed our stale bread and soft apples under shrubs and in borders, an early Christmas present for the wild things. Soon I will be running, that’s for sure.

Happy Christmas you lovelies! Hope you have the best time possible. I will see you on the other side.

Six on Saturday – Festive Frolics

December 22, 2018December 22, 2018offtheedgegardening 32 Comments

Today I tentatively ventured up the slippery steps in order to inspect the top garden and take a few photos. And why, you may well ask, would I put myself at such risk? All for you Mr Prop, all for you. Also for all the other Six on Saturdayers and their followers. And for my followers and those that just happen upon me and wonder what the bloomin’ Nora is going on here. And of course for Father Christmas and all his little helpers. Which brings me nicely back to The Prop again. Yes, in case you hadn’t noticed, it is that time of year again. The gardens are not awash with brightness, but who cares, our Christmas jumpers make up for any colour deficit. Without further ado, here are my festive Six on Saturday. Before I start I should make something clear, they are “festive” because it is that time of the year, not because they have anything with Christmas, unless I can find a tenuous link. Or I might not bother. Let’s see how it goes.

Let us begin with Vinca difformis ‘Jenny Pym’, with its pretty blushing flower. This has been in the front garden for a couple of years and is bulking up beautifully. As is my wont, I had forgotten about its presence until it caught my eye as I hobbled up the path yesterday. I think I love it more each year. And then I forget about it for nine months.

Next is my new greenhouse, complete with intact door and free from holes in places that there should not be holes. The odds on my cuttings and seedlings making it through the winter have grown. When a cold snap threatens I will wrap some horticultural fleece around and about. They should be snug enough. OH is vindicated.

We have had some dreadful weather in the last couple of weeks, driving rain coupled with persistent gales. During this time I have been worrying about the plants “up the steps”, many of which need winter protection. I need not have worried as they seem to have coped quite well without my rapt attention. Much to my amazement/joy thisTibouchina urvilleana is in full flower, as are Salvia corrugata, Salvia leucantha and Lavandula pinnata.

I had been warned, and the description was accurate. The builders had indeed macheted a trail through the Bed of Anarchy. It is what it is. We can fix it.

Teasels are a tradition in our garden. They pop up wherever and whenever and hopefully always will. Earlier this week I was called to the window, the goldfinches had found their winter snackbar. It all makes sense when you see these glamorous birds swaying in the wind on the barbed heads. You will have to imagine them, or not, they look quite good alone in their spiky splendour.

The late, great, Freddie Mercury once sang “don’t stop me now, I’m having such a good time” and many have since echoed his plea, including this nasturtium. Many of its fellows have been frosted to mush or stomped into the ground, but this one, clambering through the rosemary bush, is determined to see Christmas.

So there we have it, six things that are happening today in the garden, where I was, the first time for a month. I enjoyed my mini-sojourn and it has fuelled my will to get back to full health as soon as possible. And even better!

Thank you to everyone who reads my blog, both those who make witty, kind, entertaining and, sometimes, challenging comments and those also who linger in the shadows (not in a scary way). I really do appreciate it. I wish you all a wonderful festive period, I hope it bring you everything you need and a little bit more.

ps Not one tenuous link, I must be losing my touch!