A few years ago, a friend gave me a barely liftable, large trug of snowdrops. I was very, very grateful and happily began adding them to the Priory's meagre showing. Eventually running out of time, I temporarily stuffed the last few into a small bed beneath a standard Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price'. And there they … Continue reading March Of Snowdrops
Conservation
Win A Copy Of ‘Making A Wildflower Meadow’
I try to keep only a sensible number of gardening books - really I do. I've even given some away to charity ... once or twice. But occasionally I'm offered a book to review and my resolve shrivels. 'Making a Wildflower Meadow: The Definitive Guide To Grassland Gardening' by Pam Lewis was one of those … Continue reading Win A Copy Of ‘Making A Wildflower Meadow’
The Tawny Owl
I joined the Priory in the summer of 2008 and since then, I have regularly heard the call of a male tawny owl. From late morning until I go home, the magical hoo-hoo of that owl has both delighted me and driven me nuts. I've stopped work, I've run for my camera and I've stalked … Continue reading The Tawny Owl
And Quiet Flows The Spree
I didn't intend to impose my holiday snaps on you. Indeed for the first day or two of my recent cycling trip to Germany, I didn't even take a photo. But when a bird of prey glided past with a rat the size of a small child in its talons, my shutter finger itched. And … Continue reading And Quiet Flows The Spree
Bear With Me
I haven't posted for a while.I've been busy with some non-blogging stuff ... and intently studying a wasp nest on the east lawn.Excavation continues and it's getting bigger. And bigger. As you might suppose, mowing operations have been diverted.I've been distracted too by the sheer number of butterflies on the new verbena beds.There is a … Continue reading Bear With Me
Big Butterfly Count
The charity Butterfly Conservation is holding its annual Big Butterfly Count - the biggest butterfly survey in the world. Starting today and running until 10th August, this is an easy and fun opportunity to help butterfly and moth conservation in the UK. If you'd like to take part, simply wait for a sunny spell and … Continue reading Big Butterfly Count
Jenny Wren And The White Hart*
Water quality in the east pond has recovered. Heavy winter rain has flushed out any remaining sewage, bleach and bath-suds. (A cowboy plumber, working in 2008, patched the soil pipe from the main bathroom into the drains carrying rainwater to the pond, see - 'A Mild Sense Of Panic'). In my first two years at … Continue reading Jenny Wren And The White Hart*
The Anxious Gardener 