offtheedgegardening

A Day in the Life

After an uncommonly frosty start it was business as usual at The Farm. We kicked off with a little rabbit herding (domestic), then went on to some rabbit cussing (wild). The better part of the day was spent undertaking the wondrous triumvirate of weed, chop and mulch. This very rewarding work was interspersed with a little plantContinue reading “A Day in the Life”

The Early Bee

If I were a bee, hunkered down against the winter gloom, I would have risked a short foray out into the big bad world today. The blue sky and the fragrant mahonia flowers, advertising their wares with perfumed wafts, would have been provocation enough. If I were a bee I doubt I would be one ofContinue reading “The Early Bee”

Revenge

Today I have been pruning roses, climbing roses no less. Actually it started as rose pruning and descended into rose annihilation. The shrubs in question were growing (notice I say “were”) on the edge of a parking area in a strip (I am loathe to use the exaggeration “border”) approximately 15cm wide on top of a stoneContinue reading “Revenge”

Recollection and reflection

This dreary weather has caused me to reflect. Not in a maudlin way, but in a curious self-scrutinising manner. As I said, it was raining. I got to wondering quite why I blog. It is after all a rather bizarre occupation. Sharing your thoughts with a virtual audience made up of strangers, acquaintances and friends fromContinue reading “Recollection and reflection”

Hypocrite

I wish I could tell you which euphorbia this is, enjoying the ever warming sun in my garden yesterday. Unfortunately I couldn’t find a label. Sometimes I think my name should be the Hypocrite Gardener.

Trudge

A trudge up to the high street in the driving rain and who should catch my eye but this little chap. The sight of his cheery face lightened my load and quickened my step. More please.

Tadpoles

Over the last couple of weeks three very welcome packages have dropped onto our door mat. Firstly my Hardy Plant Society seed, secondly my Royal Horticultural Seed and thirdly my Hardy Plant Society Seed. Yes, so good they named it twice. For those of you not in the know, I will explain. Each year theContinue reading “Tadpoles”

First Day of Term

This day, the 32rd of the year, has meant many things to many people. On this date, had they still been alive, Clark Gable, Stanley Matthews and Muriel Spark would have been blowing out candles on their respective birthday cakes. Contrarily, Mary Shelley, Mondrian and Buster Keaton all took their final breaths. In 1884 the first volume of theContinue reading “First Day of Term”

Horror

Directly outside of our back door there is a small courtyard, jammed with pots, a small plastic greenhouse and a bench. A set of red brick steps lead up from this area, to the main garden above. A couple of years ago I fell down these steps. I was carrying the dried washing and attempting to strokeContinue reading “Horror”

Corked

Brace yourselves folks: today I worked in my own garden. But there is more shocking news: I worked in my own garden in the morning and in the afternoon. I have been worrying about getting up early when my sabbatical ends next week; “less action, more sleep” has been my catch phrase throughout this extremely short month.Continue reading “Corked”