Every year it happens. I go soft. More accurately “softer”. I skip my way through spring, summer and autumn singing tra la las with the odd yodel thrown in, barefoot with flowers in my hair. Then winter does what it has been signed up to do, including such things as “finger numbing frosts” “never arrivingContinue reading “Parky”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Crush
Although it would be quite unfair to have a favourite client I think it is extremely acceptable to have a favourite pig. Let me introduce you to George. He is a kunekune which are native to New Zealand and means fat and round in Maori. His combination of rugged good looks and an endearing personalityContinue reading “Crush”
Big Mouth
A few months ago I wrote an article extolling the virtues of the aster. Today I spent the morning de-astering a border that had been infested with my favourite late season flower. Me and my big mouth. There was no way around it, each and every stiffled plant had to be dug up and theContinue reading “Big Mouth”
Nice work if you can get it
Today I had a wonderful day. I would imagine it is not the norm to enjoy your work to this degree and it seems a little bizarre to call it “gainful employment” when so much fun is involved. It was hard work and chilly, but hard work keeps you warm and interesting gardens and niceContinue reading “Nice work if you can get it”
Getting to know you
Yesterday was the inaugural day of the second incarnation of The Heavenly Gardener. Self employed again, released into the wild to ply my trade for the unsuspecting public of North Devon. I admit I was a little daunted, after eight years wearing the cosy slippers of Cliffe I wasn’t really sure what my new footwearContinue reading “Getting to know you”
Bark
For those of you who live in the UK, it is unlikely to have escaped your notice that this season is an uncommonly long and confused one. Raspberries are flowering as are some rhododendrons, daffodils are up and the country generally seems to think that spring has sprung. Wandering around the bounteous garden at TheContinue reading “Bark”
Disgrace
Our garden is a disgrace. Sincerely, a disgrace. Not a “fishing for compliments” disgrace but a “hang my head in shame” disgrace. When we bought this house eight years ago it certainly wasn’t for the garden. We had left a narrow but very long garden at our last house which, over the 25 year weContinue reading “Disgrace”
Fatsia japonica – Japanese Aralia
I have never been a great fan of Fatsia japonica, much preferring its exotic love child with the common ivy, x Fatshedera lizei, especially the glamorously variegated cultivar “Anneweike”. Perhaps this is a touch of plant snobbery. Perhaps it is a little too common for my bohemian tastes. Perhaps I am getting a littleContinue reading “Fatsia japonica – Japanese Aralia”
Classic
If only every autumn day was like today, what a happy lot we would be.
Last Admiral Standing
Goats cheese and aubergine, pheasant and lentils, pear and almond, coffee and truffle. Another magnificent lunch at Broomhill Art Hotel near Barnstaple. The food they serve is, as far as possible, sourced locally. They create their own charcuterie from free range meat and grow vegetables and salad on site. All these factors add up toContinue reading “Last Admiral Standing”
Off The Edge Gardening 