offtheedgegardening

Holes

Today at Button Moon was a day of digging holes. Big holes, little holes, medium sized holes. Some awkward roots and slates, some easy passages. Luckily I was armed with a golden spade, it made life much easier. Everyone should have a golden spade, even if you haven’t got golden boots. Into these holes IContinue reading “Holes”

The Future

Last week, on my first day back on Button Moon, we prepared the annual wildflower beds for the coming year. It seemed a fitting way to mark the occasion of my return to the fold. The border was weeded, the bones of last year’s blooms were pulling up and any remaining seed broadcast. Looking forwardContinue reading “The Future”

Splendid

It has been a fine day. My first full day of work, for a while anyway. It was splendid.

Six on Saturday – Brrrrrr!

Happy Six on Saturday to you all! It has been a week of weather; from the unimaginable cold in the North of America to the searing heat in parts of Australia. We had some of the white stuff in the UK too, which has been followed by the inevitable chaos on the roads and theContinue reading “Six on Saturday – Brrrrrr!”

Myrtle Mania

Today I worked beneath the myrtle tree in Max’s garden. Here, left unfettered, weeds had made a stronghold, finding firm footing amongst the roots. This is a large tree, and has looked rather sorry for itself since last year’s twin beasts. Still it is a great favourite, the fragrant pompom flowers and the limbs ofContinue reading “Myrtle Mania”

Back to Work

Apart from a rather dodgy, frankly terrifying in parts, but then I am a scaredycat, journey to work, today was everything I could wish for a first day back to work. Lord Mantle picked me and my tools up from the car park at the top of the road where we marvelled at the viewsContinue reading “Back to Work”

Eye of the Beholder

Some people can point out the Taj Mahal in the marshmallow folds of cumulonimbus, or perhaps see Elvis circa 1979 etched in carbon on a piece of toast, whilst others will swear blind there is a two-headed gnu in the mashed potato. This moss looks uncannily like a lamb. Fact.

Six on Saturday – Dark Weeks

Back so soon? Taking part in Six on Saturday is a splendid way to mark the passage of the darkest weeks, which I am making a concerted effort not to wish away. This wild beast is overseen by our very own lion tamer The Prop. It works like this, he point an upturned chair atContinue reading “Six on Saturday – Dark Weeks”

Mystery

This little flower is blooming in a narrow border maintained by the local council, just around the corner from where I live. It is a newly planted shrub, just two spindly twigs, and I first noticed it last week. But what could it be? It looks very much like a philadelphus, but flowering now? AmContinue reading “Mystery”

Rewind

It is time to indulge in a little healthy recollection. Let me take you back to a sweltering June day. I was visiting a good friend in Somerset and we had taken a trip to the Bishop’s Palace in Wells. The gardens were bountiful, seemingly not suffering from the unfamiliar sultry weather. From the herbaceousContinue reading “Rewind”