At the back of the Priory, in a corner formed by two walls, is a manhole cover. Not a thing of great beauty - it's not like it's a 16th century manhole cover. But what it is, is an excuse to bring out some of my cacti and succulents from the greenhouse and give them … Continue reading Priory Picture Post # 13
Gardening
New Beds 1, 2 and 3
Recently, I've planted up three new beds at the Priory. None of them are particularly big and one is really only an extension of a larger border. The only truly new one, and the last one to be planted up, is called the um, er, the er (thinks furiously) Kitchen Bed (it lies directly outside the … Continue reading New Beds 1, 2 and 3
Composting the Priory
I like making compost bins. I can't seem to stop. Stick me in a garden and before you can say, "Sticky Toffee Pudding," I'll have knocked up a range of 'bins. Whether you want me to or not - I just keep on building them: whether at the other garden I tend; in my … Continue reading Composting the Priory
Priory Picture Post # 12
A couple of months ago, I was in a well-known DIY shop (starts with B and ends with Q) and, as is pretty much always the case , I felt the urge to rescue one of their plants. (Have you seen how they treat their tree ferns? Very big, very old Dicksonia antarctica's left out … Continue reading Priory Picture Post # 12
A Backlog of Plants
OK, so I might be overdoing the whole plant acquisition thing: More bamboos, more rudbeckias, more grasses, more achilleas ..... The sheer number of plants stored around the greenhouse is a worrying reminder of how much planting I've got to get on with. Some are grown from seed, some from cuttings, some are divisions, some … Continue reading A Backlog of Plants
A Quick Catchup
I've been painting gloss work at home; door frames galore and literally mile upon mile of skirting - or so it seems. I've also grown increasingly annoyed, irritated and badmouthed at a new laptop. A new laptop that won't connect wirelessly to the net. I've tried so many 'IT solutions' but it still won't OBEY … Continue reading A Quick Catchup
The Beech Hedging
Much of the west lawn is surrounded by an old, high beech hedge. Whoever planted it should really have planted hornbeam* as, like beech, a clipped hornbeam hedge holds its leaves over winter (this is called marcescense, which is a fine word by any standard) - though the dead leaves are muddier in colour than … Continue reading The Beech Hedging
The Anxious Gardener 