Author Archives: offtheedgegardening

Yesterday, after a week of rain and gales, it was a pleasant change to experience some winter sunshine at Lavinia and Lionel’s.  The day was especially important as it was one of those milestones that we invent for ourselves but all the same are of consequence; it was my last day of work before Christmas. Continue reading “Ceratostigma”

Today I spent an interesting seven hours in the driving wind and rain hard-pruning a stand of oversized hydrangeas and fuchsias.  If I didn’t know any better I would say these shrubs had been mainlining steroids.  Looking my glamorous best in full waterproof attire with mud streaked visage and singing a medlay of christmas carolsContinue reading “Jewel”

You know you are onto a good thing when your esteemed client comes into the garden to greet you with a steaming hot cup of coffee.  It is pouring with rain and not only is she wearing a natty pair of pink patterned wellies she is carrying a (broken) Peppa Pig umbrella over her head. Continue reading “Dotty”

My day summed up in a photograph. The twig with a suspended water droplet symbolises my nose.  The weather was so damp I am now covered in a healthy layer of lichen. I may have forgotten my hanky, but least I am perceptibly pollution free.

Every year it happens.  I go soft.  More accurately “softer”.  I skip my way through spring, summer and autumn singing tra la las with the odd yodel thrown in, barefoot with flowers in my hair.  Then winter does what it has been signed up to do, including such things as “finger numbing frosts” “never arrivingContinue reading “Parky”

Although it would be quite unfair to have a favourite client I think it is extremely acceptable to have a favourite pig.  Let me introduce you to George.  He is a kunekune which are native to New Zealand and means fat and round in Maori.   His combination of rugged good looks and an endearing personalityContinue reading “Crush”

A few months ago I wrote an article extolling the virtues of the aster.  Today I spent the morning de-astering a border that had been infested with my favourite late season flower.  Me and my big mouth.  There was no way around it, each and every stiffled plant had to be dug up and theContinue reading “Big Mouth”

Today I had a wonderful day.  I would imagine it is not the norm to enjoy your work to this degree and it seems a little bizarre to call it “gainful employment” when so much fun is involved.  It was hard work and chilly, but hard work keeps you warm and interesting gardens and niceContinue reading “Nice work if you can get it”

Yesterday was the inaugural day of the second incarnation of The Heavenly Gardener.  Self employed again, released into the wild to ply my trade for the unsuspecting public of North Devon.  I admit I was a little daunted, after eight years wearing the cosy slippers of Cliffe I wasn’t really sure what my new footwearContinue reading “Getting to know you”