offtheedgegardening

Sophora

It may be a tatty sophora, but it is my sophora and I love it.

Dodging the showers today I found respite in L&L’s greenhouse. On the bench top these delicate succulents languished, also sheltering from the weather. The diaphanous cowls made me question; what, why and how? What is the name of these curious plants, why do these fine webs tether each corner and how do they produce this silk-like substance? Answers wouldContinue reading “Web”

Ducks

At least they were happy.

GM

I slipped in the mud whilst pushing a wheelbarrow down a grassy slope. Luckily I have been genetically modified for these eventualities.

Confuse

There are no photographs to record my day. This is an unusual event, I do love a photo opportunity. It is true that I often abuse my camera, it is tricky not to get a little mud/cake/noxious substances on/in it when taking pictures whilst working in a garden. Today, however, things were little extreme to attempt it,Continue reading “Confuse”

Sea Buckthorn

There are certain subjects which are best not mentioned in my presence. These range from “why baked beans haven’t been outlawed”, “the horror of top crimped pasties” and “people who tut”. My biggest bugbear however is the failings of municipal planting, most especially car parks. More often than not these are unimaginatively designed and poorly maintained. It would almostContinue reading “Sea Buckthorn”

Our Daily Bread

Today is a day of reflection. A day of much sadness. Like many, I feel impotent, bewildered, unnerved, despairing, a little scared. Mostly sad though. So I thought I would make bread. I haven’t baked for a long time, it fell out of favour in my world for some unknown reason. Probably laziness. Co-incidentally, onContinue reading “Our Daily Bread”

Farm Force – The Sequel

It all began with one of those light bulb moments, the ones that my clients are beginning to fear. I was merrily working away at the du Maurier’s earlier in the week when my gaze strayed towards the Roman Colosseum, or rather Mr du M’s almost full sized interpretation constructed solely from willow. As they say “once an architect,Continue reading “Farm Force – The Sequel”

Shift Work

We have been working in our garden today. At different times of course. We work in shifts as we cannot work together. When we do we trip over each other and growl a lot. It really isn’t worth the aggravation. It works for us, in fact it is imperative for a happy home. He does it his way,Continue reading “Shift Work”

The Black Spot

A definite downside to all this mild and wet weather is that it is the perfect atmosphere for fungus. Magical fairy rings, sinister shaggy inkcaps, delicious ceps and athlete’s foot, all love these conditions. This leaf is showing the signs of an advanced case of the rose growers least favourite spore Diplocarpon rosae, Black Spot. Today IContinue reading “The Black Spot”