September is a favourite month; in fact I'd rank it in my top twelve. The light is sharp and low and the gardens look pretty good with much still in flower. But there is a chill in the air that promises change. It will soon be time for regular bonfires and leaf raking; time for … Continue reading September Return
Gardening
A Priory Pause
I'm about to toss my blogging beret (with ostrich feather) to one side; take off my blogging smoking-jacket (burgundy with faux-ermine trim), lay down my blogging cigarette-holder (fake ivory with diamante inlay) and flick-out my blogging monocle. Yep. Time for a break from the blogging treadmill. At least for a while. But before I go, … Continue reading A Priory Pause
Cows In The Asparagus
As I parked my car this morning, I saw a black and white figure lurking beneath the hornbeams and obviously up to no good. But what on Earth .... ? Ah. I see. Great. Super. As they had long-planned, Margaret's cows had broken into the garden. A frantic phone call to Margaret, "Help!" and a … Continue reading Cows In The Asparagus
Charleston Manor
In a quiet crease of the South Downs lies Charleston Manor. It is somewhere I have long wanted to visit and so, when I heard that the gardens were open, I almost fell over with excitement. After a pub lunch in nearby Litlington, we trundled up the yew-lined drive, to the house. The house itself … Continue reading Charleston Manor
Of Flowers And Foes
I'm rather fond of lilies. I know not everyone is. But I am. I grow them in some of the borders and ... ... in pots. After two years grace, lily beetles have now arrived at the Priory. Did they smell the perfume from across Margaret's fields and home in from some distant garden? Smacking … Continue reading Of Flowers And Foes
Slug Feeder
This cool, wet "summer" has been fabulous for our slug and snail chums. And I've learnt that I'm really good at something. (What a relief that is). I'm simply brilliant at feeding slugs. I can grow a constant supply of slug food; my repeated sowings of radishes and salad leaves have been much appreciated … Continue reading Slug Feeder
I Turn My Back For Five Minutes
We've been on a city-break to Antwerp. Thought I'd better scrub up a bit first, so I had my monthly bath a couple of weeks early, scoured (most of) the ingrained grime from my hands and scraped (most of) the soil from under my fingernails. I even had a haircut, a shave (radical, I know), … Continue reading I Turn My Back For Five Minutes
The Anxious Gardener 