offtheedgegardening

Sinister

As I was practising my arpeggios with Nancy Nightingale earlier today, a thought suddenly crossed my mind. “Nance” I said “It has just occurred to me that we have a lot in common, we both make our living from doing something we love.” “Yes” she agreed “Consider the fools that don’t!” And we laughed in a sinister manner,Continue reading “Sinister”

Very Small Mercies

It was just as well that there were piglets and tree surgeons at the Farm today. There was little else in its favour. Wet, muddy, cold, miserable. And I’ve got a stinky cold and a leak in one of my boots. This has made me even wetter, muddier, colder and more miserable than usual. A gorgon.Continue reading “Very Small Mercies”

Cope

Tomorrow, at the Farm, there will be tree surgeons and three brand new piglets. I am not sure how I am going to cope. There will be no work done at all.

Wills the Cat

This is Wills, Lord and Lady Mantle’s cat. Although I have tried very hard to become his friend, he is so far resistant to my charms. Incredible I know. If he is feeling particularly tolerant I am permitted to stroke him for a short while, although this cannot compete with the affections bestowed upon him byContinue reading “Wills the Cat”

Start

We have eventually broken ground at Nancy Nightingale’s. A rough border shape was marked out, and we began the task of removing the terrible turf. As we were wheelbarrowless (a terrible affliction) the sods were piled into a trug and transported across a 100m assault course (including steps) to be formed into an igloo atContinue reading “Start”

Dafty Duck

Spring is definitely in the air. Time to cut back, tidy all the detritus, let the new shoots emerge unhindered by the last year’s has beens. At The Farm on Thursday I was merrily pulling defunct crocosmia foliage when I had the distinct feeling that I was being watched. Then I spotted the culprit, soContinue reading “Dafty Duck”

Hyacinth

There was no need for a hissy fit, the threat of one was quite enough. A wonderful, warm, sunny day which made for a wonderful, warm and sunny gardener.

Saxifrage

I have absolutely nothing to say. Except if it doesn’t stop raining very very soon I’m going to have a hissy-fit. And also, here is a saxifrage. It is getting fed up too. Although, to be honest, it doesn’t look that way. In fact it looks very pretty, for a delicate little plant that is gettingContinue reading “Saxifrage”

Another View

Hellebore seed factory.

Flamingo

“Are you a Softie Walter, or female equivalent?” I asked my singing teacher, Nancy Nightingale. “No, I don’t mind getting wet and muddy at all” she answered with a trill. “That is just as well” I replied. Rain stopped play last week and I refused to let it happen again. The weather folk at theContinue reading “Flamingo”