Today’s gardening duties were straight out of The Book of Horticultural Cliches, chapter three Autumn. Collecting seed, moving perennials, tidying, planning for next year. Hesperantha were flowering, a cerise cyclamen popped and we swept the first of the leaves that had fallen in the recent gales. This rich-red pelargonium however was having none of it.Continue reading “Still Going Strong”
Author Archives: offtheedgegardening
Six on Saturday – The Nearlys
Saturday again and here is my contribution to The Honourable Mr P‘s Six on Saturday. There is a thread running through this post, all my featured plants have something in common. They are all Nearlys. Not quite flowering. Bearing in mind the recent weather, I can quite understand their reticence. In the hope that by nextContinue reading “Six on Saturday – The Nearlys”
Favourite
Perhaps my favourite watsonia seedling. Until the next one flowers, at least.
Strange Fruit
This strange fruit caught my eye today at The Farm. On closer inspection all became clear. In the past year I have created a new tradition. When harvesting tomatoes I throw any that have split or been munched by one of the non-human inhabitants of the greenhouse, out of the door and over the scrubbyContinue reading “Strange Fruit”
An Education
It was an exceptionally wildlife-centric day yesterday. And educational at that. My day started with the sighting of a bird of prey emerging from a hedge, its feathered victim clasped in its talons. After a short rest at the side of the road, and a staring competition with me, it flew off towards the cairn,Continue reading “An Education”
A Pressing Engagement
For the past couple of years The Farm have juiced their apple crop to sell to their visitors. Previously I have missed the Day of the Great Juicing but, as luck would have it, this year the event coincided with my work day. Earlier in the week Slasher had picked the fruit. This is mainlyContinue reading “A Pressing Engagement”
Six on Saturday – It’s a Miracle
It is Saturday. Outside it is blowing a hoolie and periodically horizontal rain joins in the fun. My ‘to do’ list makes War and Peace look like a novella. I have writing to finish and don’t need any diversions thank you very much. All great excuses not to participate in The Propagator‘s Six on Saturday.Continue reading “Six on Saturday – It’s a Miracle”
Osteospermum ‘Double Berry White’
A day of dodging showers at The Farm. No matter, most of the time I was in easy reach of a waterproof or a shelter. There were plenty of indoor jobs to be done. In the greenhouse the tomato vines, which had been allowed to express themselves freely over the last few weeks, were trimmedContinue reading “Osteospermum ‘Double Berry White’”
Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Rosea’
Do not compare persicaria with its delinquent relative, the black stetsoned Japanese Knotweed. Although often vigorous, they are not concrete breakers, and their beautiful flowers are long lived and buzzing with insect life. This Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Rosea’ is looking spectacular at the moment, both to myself and the hover flies that are crowding its slim pearlyContinue reading “Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Rosea’”
Octopus roses and cauliflower ears
It is not often that I have a mono-job day. I am by nature a flitter, and prefer to have a variety of tasks to fill the hours. Today however myself and Mrs Bun undertook to tame the great tangle of rose that divides the vegetable garden with the rest of the garden. ItContinue reading “Octopus roses and cauliflower ears”
Off The Edge Gardening 