Yesterday Lionel and Lavinia gave me a big bag of bramley apples. Very kind and very welcome. There is something I must do today, or at least make a good start, it has to be finished by the middle of next week. As a masteress of procrastination, I have decided that before I beginContinue reading “A Culinary Essay”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
The Hole Revisited
Autumn brings with it a variety of changes. Deciduous leaves begin to fall, the summer crew begin their hibernation, the weeds slow, the temperature drops, the days shorten. And the hard work begins. This week has been physically tough. I am loathe to admit it, but I am becoming increasingly dependent on Old Age and Cunning, ratherContinue reading “The Hole Revisited”
A Big Hole
Today we dug a big hole. This was not on the itinerary. But needs must and a big hole had to be dug. Now I am so tired I can’t even tell you the story. It was indeed a very big hole. These Hesperantha coccinea have absolutely nothing to do with the hole. They areContinue reading “A Big Hole”
Betwixt and Between
The meander into autumn seems to be accelerating into a gallop. Many of the summer bloomers are fizzling out with only the true stalwarts, such as hesperantha, asters and dahlias, holding firm. In the space of a week, the gardens in these parts are shifting from full flowering attack to a half-hearted last rally. ManyContinue reading “Betwixt and Between”
Serbian Gold
The quince tree at The Farm has done us proud. We gathered this basket full of luscious fruit last week. Unfortunately when myself and Slasher actually picked the fruit we didn’t have a basket, or indeed anything resembling one. We had wandered over for our weekly recce of how things were proceeding in Quinceland and an immediate Code Red was implimented.Continue reading “Serbian Gold”
Blue
There is something extraordinary about blue flowers. This Salvia patens, the gentian sage, is very blue and very beautiful. It comes from Mexico and is therefore a little tender. There is no doubt in my mind that it is worth any amount of pampering to carry it safely through winter. It also reminds me of my toes, blue since our boiler gave up the ghostContinue reading “Blue”
Collecting
Seed collecting day today. In some cases the bus had left already. Luckily Cosmos ‘Purity’ is still going strong. There will be plenty more chances to catch the tiny bombs of potential.
Plans
Another lovely day in horti-land. I am now fully embracing this autumn thing. Working conditions are ideal at the moment, mild and dry for the most part, and I have renewed enthusiasm for my work. Not that I wasn’t keen before. It is just that at the moment I am keener. The low sun bathes everythingContinue reading “Plans”
Hanging On
Despite the strong winds of the last few days, the last leaf of Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ holds on.
Pretty Face
Lady Mantle wanted a greenhouse. And what Lady Mantle wants she gets. Even if it means accosting a small child and his mother in a garden centre and demand that they give her theirs. This ‘gift’ was duly dismantled (get it dis’Mantle’d? such pun-ulicious brilliance) and transported back to the Estate. The base was laid and theContinue reading “Pretty Face”
Off The Edge Gardening 