Author Archives: offtheedgegardening

I seem to make a habit of living next door to, working with and/or being friends with a progression of smartypants.  You know the sort “Did I show you the proton reactor I knocked up this afternoon?”, “Must rush, the Dalai Lama is popping by for a cup of tea and some advice”, “Of courseContinue reading “Swotty Neighbours”

Warning:  This post includes minimal references to plants, gardens or any associated product.  Emotions may be involved. As we make our way through life we gain badges to sew onto the sleeves of our souls.  Some badges we win and some we are given.  There is one for “first love” and another for “first heartbreak”,Continue reading “Badges of the Soul”

Running in tandem with my life as a grubby gardener and one of only two living Grand Masters of the little known Burnham Cartwheeling Technique, I have to confess to a third more sinister existence.  Actually it isn’t sinister at all, I was just trying to get your attention.  For almost two years I haveContinue reading “Parkland”

Today I ate an asian pear, a first for me.  A hand reached up into the boughs of the small tree I was standing next to and picked one of these golden fruit for me to try.  We were a long way from the orient, standing in the Permaculture Garden at Tapeley Park near Bideford,Continue reading “Goodness”

Periodically an ominous looking chap in a CSI white boilersuit and poison filled knapsack wanders the streets in his fight against vegetation.  This bold and beautiful antirrhinum stands defiant, in prime attack zone.  I hope he will be merciful and give it a stay of execution.  Perhaps I should cover it with a glass domeContinue reading “No Parking”

Love them or hate them, you cannot deny that they are a force to be reckoned with.  They are often referred to as geraniums but the true name for these summer shiners is pelargonium.  Traditionally used in this country as a summer bedding plant, and much beloved of municipal displays, they are often thrown onContinue reading “Whack!”

And who, may I ask, are you?

Although I started this journey I will not be finishing it.  Circumstance means that I will no longer have access to this magical medlar.  I will miss its tangled beauty; I am certain it won’t miss me in the slightest.

Surely this is inspiration enough to leave a little long grass for those more beautiful to flourish?