Okay, so the world’s going to hell in a carrier bag, and we all feel pretty powerless to change things. Although many of us are trying to do our bit to, in some tiny way, influence the change we want to see in the world, it’s easy to become disheartened, and even rather frightened by what’s happening out there. I… Read more →
Here Be Dragons (And Other Reasons Not To Tidy)
I’m starting to feel the urge to get outside and tidy up my garden. There’s a creeping temptation at this time of year to start cutting back and preparing for new growth. Crocosmia clumps look awful, brown and floppy. There are ugly, black, rotted acanthus leaves, and flat ferns. Honesty seedheads are shredded. And there are dead leaves and fallen branches everywhere. But I’m going… Read more →
F is for Frost :: A to Z of Gardens
If there’s one thing that redeems January for me, it’s stunning, sunny, frosty Norfolk mornings, like today’s. The air is crisp and sweet, and the sunrise so pink and pretty that my heart sings. Plants can look quite beautiful in the frost. Heucheras particularly suit their common name ‘Coral Bells’ when frosted. I like the the way the frost picks out the detailed… Read more →
How To Make A Christmas Wreath
I’m feeling very excited about Christmas. My husband, who is a children’s writer, was finally able to give up his retail ‘day job’ a few months ago, so we’ll actually be able to spend the whole holiday period together this year (and we’ll be boycotting the Boxing Day sales!) I put decorations up all over the house at the beginning of the month, and… Read more →
Winter Has Landed… And It’s Beautiful
We’ve just had our first proper frost of minus 3 degrees. The garden looked gorgeous first thing, like it had been dusted with icing sugar. It’s 11 o’clock now but the frost is hanging on as the temperature is still pretty low. Where ever the sun catches it, ice crystals glitter. Stunning blue skies, bitterly cold, clear air, bright sunshine and… Read more →
A Bad Case Of Winter Denial
As usual, I’m finding the transition from autumn to winter a tricky one. The clocks went back but I’m struggling to accept that the growing season is over. I have not yet wrapped my banana tree up with fleece to protect it from the cold that is inevitably coming. I failed to plant garlic cloves and broad beans in the raised beds before… Read more →
Small Garden Trees For All Seasons
This is the time of year when trees shine. Flowers are fading, even the late blooming asters and roses will shortly be over. But the trees will soon be putting on a glorious show. Street trees are covered with dew drops and spangly spider webs in the early morning light as we walk to school. Beware the fat drips as you… Read more →
Broken Banana Disappointment
My banana broke. We had some incredibly stormy weather on Friday and I think the high winds must have been too much for it. The large leaves have been buffeted over, snapping the stem half way down. I didn’t expect this. It’s in a fairly sheltered spot. But there’s no accounting for British weather. It’s disappointing, obviously. And yet I’m not… Read more →
My September Gardening Journal
The kids are back at school, and I can now turn my attention back to the garden. I did manage to do some gardening, here and there in August, but it was mainly watering and deadheading. Last week, I finally took down and plaited the garlic cloves that have been drying in my garage for the past two months. I lifted and divided… Read more →
How To Grow Hyacinths For Christmas
Summer is ending, which is sad, so I’m planting hyacinths that will flower inside in winter, perhaps in time for Christmas. It’ll give me something to look forward to as the nights draw in and the temperatures drop. These gorgeously scented, pretty bulbs would normally flower in early spring, if grown outdoors, but can be forced to flower earlier indoors, if you grow them… Read more →