Author Archives: offtheedgegardening

Over the past few years I have had my battles with ivy, tugging and unravelling, prising their adventitious roots from tree, border and unsuspecting shrub.   I have also admired and appreciated their many good points, listened to the throb of an insect blanket supping on their tardy flowers, watched as clumsy pigeons and flightyContinue reading “NW Day 2 – Diamond Day”

I didn’t promise anything about the posting of evocative photographs.  Obviously I have no control over what you may or may not deduce from an innocent picture.  This one seemed appropriate today, the reason why I am keeping to myself.  You can interpret it entirely as you wish.  It could indicate a leaky hosepipe, theContinue reading “NW Day 1 – Puddle”

Things I have learnt in the last week: 1.  Longjohns are my new best friend, with my thermal vest a close runner up. 2.  A good hat which doesn’t obscure vision or fall off and cosily covers the ears is imperative. 3.  When the aforementioned hat falls into a muddy puddle and is put onContinue reading “Hail Hurts and other lessons”

I love tractors.  The ones that tickle my fancy are not the modern, all singing and dancing behemoths, but the ancient spluttering, characterful ones.  This beautiful Ford 4000 belongs to George’s Dad and proved yesterday that not only is it very handsome but it is also very useful.  I believe it to be about theContinue reading “Thunderbirds are Go!”

Hard week, frazzled gardener, so pretty picture, few words, night, night.

Seeds want to germinate, that is what they are designed to do, it is their raison d’être, their goal in life, their purpose.  There are not many decisions to be made in a seed’s life, it must either germinate or not germinate, just the two options and the first is preferable.  There is, I suppose,Continue reading “Just Try and Stop Me!”

Today was proper winter.  Winter just like in story books.  Not damp and dark, but raw and bright.  After a frosty start, and the first windscreen scrape of the season, the sun rose blindingly.  Where its magic wand touched the crusty ground it thawed, making is quite workable.  Shaded plants glistened with stardust.  Wearing moreContinue reading “Chilly Gilly”

This post is for L&L ensconced in an exotic paradise.  I am convinced they are not missing us at all and so need to be reminded of all the wonderful things they are missing in Blighty.  Reclining on beachside loungers sipping pina coladas, paragliding off forested mountainsides, swimming with dolphins in the balmy waters, hikingContinue reading “Postcard from Home”