Author Archives: offtheedgegardening

Like candied sky, this lithodora flower sparkled in the spring sunshine.

Sometimes a day is more difficult than it deserves to be.  It was a little like that today.  For no particular reason, I was more Eeyore than Tigger.  Lavinia, not tip top herself, was patience itself whilst I walked into bird tables, tripped over bricks and generally staggered about the place like a lump ofContinue reading “Dare”

I found this in the Farm greenhouse today.  Thought I would leave it with you.  Got to rush …..

Yellow, who would have thought it.  That was a nice surprise.

In my humble opinion, there is little to beat a good euphorbia.  Euphorbia amygdaloides “Purpurea” is such a plant.  Aubergine foliage with raspberry splattered lime green flowers.  Tasty.

Roots When a phormium bursts out of its plastic pot you know it is ready for action.  More accurately it is time for your action.  Last week this constricted monster was divided and planted out in various areas of Max’s garden, where it is sure to flourish.  The strength and versatility of these feeding, anchoring, storingContinue reading “Back to my Roots”

This osteospermum has over wintered in the relatively balmy conditions of the greenhouse at The Farm.  Last autumn I dug up a few “just in case’s” which have turned into “just as well’s”.  The harsh winds have scorched those that were left to fend for themselves, their frazzled leaves painful to behold.  How well theyContinue reading “Rebel”

I have dedicated the past ten years minutes of my life to undertake a far reaching anthropological and psychosocial study.  This has involved heated debate, probing interrogation, international espionage and a barely sharp pencil.  It is a two-fold study.  The aims were: 1.  To examine the emotional and physical affects on a nominated person (me) of working outside on aContinue reading “Study”

It is not only plants that are waking as the days lengthen and the air warms.  This newt was roused from his slumbers in Max’s garden today, perhaps a tad prematurely.  Fear not, soon he was safely relocated to a new home to wake gently. Later a big fat toad was found dozing in the wood pileContinue reading “Wild”

On my drive to work this morning, whilst meandering in the general direction of the Grand Estate of Lord and Lady Mantle, I glimpsed the above scene.  An emergency stop later and some darned fine reversing and I was stepping out to wonder at its beautiful other worldliness.  A dank and dark tunnel of lichen encrusted, stunted twisted trees collapsingContinue reading “Another World”