Author Archives: offtheedgegardening

It is always heartening to find wildlife in the garden.  It seems like an affirmation, confirming that we are doing something right.  Although I have no documentary evidence, I would guess that wildlife rarely thinks “I love to see a human in my backyard”.  We are generally stomping around like big unfriendly giants with noContinue reading “Peeved”

Not every day is an adventure.  Some days are just fine; not wonderful, not dreadful, but fair to middling.  They are comfortable but not glamorous, like your favourite winceyette pajamas.  They are days to ease through, to gently wallow in.  Today was a day like that.  The sun shone and the sky was blue butContinue reading “Fair to Middling”

Take one pink and frilly rhododendron, early flowering and most welcome, wash down with some gentle spring sunshine.   Before long your step will develop a distinct bounce, the corners of your mouth will unavoidably turn upwards, your heart will lighten and the world will seem a better place.  Repeat whenever possible.

Sometimes very bad things happen to very good people.  In the last few weeks tragedy has visited  two special friends.  More than anything I want to make things right, but I can’t.  I want to extinguish their scalding pain and replace it with the warmth of hope.  I want to mend their crushed hearts andContinue reading “Love and Strength”

Some days a pair of secateurs will not suffice.

This is Menziesia ciliicalyx var. multiflora photographed last May in the wonderful garden at Andrew’s Corner.  I had never heard of it then, I haven’t seen it since.  My job is a continual education and most days I am reminded just how ignorant I am.  I was quite taken with this ericaceous beauty.  The name,Continue reading “A Continual Education”

The day has been blustery and unstable, veering from sun to hail to sleet like a out of control shopping trolley.  Luckily it was not a gardening day, it was a writing day.  I have been writing about medicinal plants.  So what do you want to know?  Sea buckthorn fruit is good for burns andContinue reading “The First Rose”

When asked if I had room for a new client, I explained that regretfully I was “full up”.  When I was told that the garden was situated in Exmoor National Park and hadn’t been touched except by chainsaw and strimmer for 6 years, I conceded that it would do no harm to take a look,Continue reading “The Magic Tree”

The weather was atrocious yesterday, making it the perfect day for the first sowing session of the year.  To mark the occasion we had a Sowing Bee at The Farm.  Although owner of a mysterious box of half empty seed packets Mrs G allegedly hasn’t grown anything from seed before.  Perhaps nocturnal sowing somnambulism isContinue reading “Great North Devon Sowing Bee”

At The Farm this morning I quizzed George’s Mum and Dad on the extent of their gardening activities in the last week.   Mrs G told me that unfortunately they hadn’t managed to find the pelleted chicken manure I had asked them to buy.   She had however managed to purchase, for a very reasonable price, aContinue reading “Alternatives”