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It’s been a long time.  This blog may go some way to explaining why. During the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns people found what a wonderful place an outside space could be. This could be parks as well as gardens if you are lucky enough to have one. People wanted to make the most of what… Continue reading Welcome Back

September is one of my favourite months of the year. It comes a very close second to May. May with all its thrusting promise, fresh growth dragged skyward by the ever lengthening days. Spring flowers in full bloom spangling the garden, a mad energy that grips you in its embrace. September is a different thing… Continue reading September

We are nearly half way through the year. June has been quintessential. Warm, sunny days, long evenings and, for us, squadrons of swifts screaming across the big open skies taking advantage of the insect buffet that has been particularly varied and fulsome if the insects at ground level are anything to go by. The garden… Continue reading Flaming June

I planted lots of tulip bulbs in the autumn. I was buying some for a clients garden and decided to get some for my own. I have planted them before and low and behold over a few years they disappear not liking the cold, claggy London clay I plant them into. Received wisdom is that… Continue reading Tulips from Amsterdam

I don’t like hoovering. Or for that matter ironing. But some people really enjoy doing these things. They find them satisfying and meditative. I feel like that about gardening. Having a garden for me is about the ritual. It’s difficult to know which point of the year to choose as the start of it. Is… Continue reading To maintain or not to maintain? That is the question

I have views of the garden from all the back windows of the house. I can see it at ground level, and from above. It’s fascinating watching the garden emerge from winter to spring. The sunlight starting to move across from north to south as it gradually gets higher in the sky and creeping from… Continue reading Spring Prettiness

I started this blog when the snow was on the ground and now the weather has become more mild and the snow has been replaced by rain! The subtle shift in the weather and the light, even though it is still officially winter, has set my mind to growing. I have been in hibernation mode… Continue reading Weedy Seedlings

I love composting. There are numerous reasons why but the most important is that the garden waste, grass clippings, plant prunings and vegetable scraps from the kitchen can all be utilised to create what Monty Don calls ‘Black Gold’. I have bins in the garden (three - one hot and two cold) and a bin… Continue reading Worms and Leaves

I have been enjoying these lovely sunny September days. Somehow it reminds me of my childhood - that happy, safe, uncomplicated time. School would go back and the weather would be glorious. It always seemed a shame to be wearing the new winter school uniform rather than the summer dress worn in June and July.… Continue reading Stunning September

I have been doing a lot of walking. My permitted daily walk has allowed me to get to my allotment and I have been going very regularly. It’s perfect really because this is a very busy time horticulturally. With the warm, sunny weather the weeds have been starting to grow madly. I have Mares Tail… Continue reading Peeping into other people’s gardens