offtheedgegardening

Autumn 2017 Collection

And here we have Vaccinium cylindraceum, the Azores Blueberry, wearing a stunning little number in gold, pistachio and scarlet, accessorised by some deep midnight fruit. Front page of Vogue before the month is out.

Bridges, Bees and a Miracle

Today my car went for an MOT. The garage I use is on an industrial estate just outside Barnstaple, not the most convenient for us but they have always been kind and helpful and, most importantly, not patronising. The plan was that I would drop the car off early and walk into town to doContinue reading “Bridges, Bees and a Miracle”

California Dreaming

Here, especially for you, yes you looking miserable in the corner and you snuggled under the duvet, is a little sunshine on a cold, wet, windy day. This is Eschscholzia californica, or to its friends, California Poppy. Luckily we are very close, I wouldn’t want to have to spell that more often than I have too. HopeContinue reading “California Dreaming”

Six on Saturday – Chocolates

Even though it was singularly uninviting, it being damp and windy and the weekend, I had to go out into the garden this morning. Not just because of the pressing urgency of The Propagator‘s Six on Saturday, but because if I didn’t do certain jobs a visit from the local RSPCP officer was inevitable. So IContinue reading “Six on Saturday – Chocolates”

Just Borrowing

I think this is Boston Ivy, Parthenocissus tricuspidata. I have a good excuse for not being certain, as it has come over the wall from Nancy Nightingale’s neighbour. Looks great against the shining lime/lemon walls, with its quaint scarlet sucker pads and crimson foliage. We may well keep it for a while.

A Good Day

That is exactly how it should be. Spot on. Today was a dictionary entry for autumn. The essence. Like in fairy tales and East Anglia. New England-esque, but lacking the pretty leaves. Dry and sunny, the low light warming our souls. Forgive me for pressing the point, but after last week’s persistent misery it wasContinue reading “A Good Day”

Lavender

Showing no sign of slowing down, this lavender had delusions of summer today. I had a little inkling too.

Six on Saturday – If I must

I had decided that I wasn’t going to SoS this week. Lots to do, miserable outside, lacking motivation, Madagascar 2 on the TV, crisps in the cupboard. However, such is the hold that The Propagator has on me, I have relented. I am hoping that eventually he will return the incriminating photos. Until then, let’s go! MyContinue reading “Six on Saturday – If I must”

Just Saying

Just when you are getting into your stride, moaning and groaning about the mud, the rain, the persistent miserable grimness of it all, the sun comes out and throws you off kilter. Not that me and the bee are complaining. Just saying.

Research

Half term at The Farm. After a few quiet weeks it was full of life again. The last horrah before the end of the season. A case of mixed blessings. Although I am looking forward to overhauling and juggling and suchlike, which can’t be started when they are busy, I do like so see theContinue reading “Research”