offtheedgegardening

Happy Ending

I am no bumble bee expert. In fact I am no expert at all. If I had to pick a specialist subject it would possibly be cheese scones (consumption of), but even then I wouldn’t bet on me to pick up the trophy. When I examined this photo closely, a bumble resting on the handleContinue reading “Happy Ending”

Prescription

After a magical weekend away, I have re-crossed the border bringing with me an unauthorised companion, a Welsh cold. Sniffles really, nothing to take to my bed for, in fact it is the kind of poorly that insists that you go outside in the fresh air and get on with it. Before too long, theContinue reading “Prescription”

Six on Saturday – Foreign Correspondent

Never say that I am not dedicated to the Six on Saturday cause. In fact, Mr P, at the risk of blowing my own tuba, I think I deserve a special platinum star on the chart for today. Don’t know who the illustrious Propagator is? Pop over to his blog and you will find outContinue reading “Six on Saturday – Foreign Correspondent”

Precis

In no particular order. Tree climbing, singing, crab pâté, border edging, gossip, coffee, sunshine, Max, sawing, laughter, sliding, La bohème, rain shower, sticks and seagulls, magnolia buds, perfect.

Tricks of the Trade

It is wonderful to be getting back into the swing of things after an enforced inclement weather break. Mine, and those around me’s, wellbeing was being threatened by this incarceration. Things were becoming desperate. My gold nails were commented upon more than once today. They are a reflection of too much time on my hands. Continue reading “Tricks of the Trade”

Plastic Not Fantastic

Snow gone, rain stopped (temporarily at least), time to get on with it. Today, at Nancy Nightingale’s, we worked on the Nessie beds. Just like the rest of the garden, the soil here is poor and rubbish filled. We plan to make this a feasting border, a mix of fruit, vegetables and edible flowers. ItContinue reading “Plastic Not Fantastic”

Special

Today a poety book arrived in the post. It was most welcome to come home to, I was tired and rainswept, then having to spar with arrogant builders who had yet again parked across our driveway. This is the first poem in Wendell Berry’s collection The Peace of Wild Things. I thought it was special. Continue reading “Special”

The Bright Side

Hedychiums look hedychi-dead, agapanthus has flurped, phlomis is desiccated, the fuchsia is wizened but Mirabilis longiflora ‘Angel Trumpets’ has germinated. Yes, it is a little on the tender side, but we never ever get frosts here, as for snow, don’t be ridiculous!

Six on Saturday – the Frozen One

Let’s be honest, hands up, who wanted to do a Six on Saturday today? Not me. But as I live in fear of a) being called a wimp and ridiculed even more than usual by Mr K and b) the wrath of Our Commandant Mr P, here I am. Expect a lot of white. ThereContinue reading “Six on Saturday – the Frozen One”

Brutal

One of the weather reporters warned that the easterlies would be brutal. I liked that she used such an emotive word. And I can vouch for its accuracy.