South of the river and north of the house, there is a big expanse of grass and flowers and life that I like to walk around at least twice a day. It's a nice place to be. But this isn't the only area of grass that is left to grow at this time of year. … Continue reading Mini-Me Meadows
Wildlife
Humming-Bird Hawk-Moth
About four years ago, whilst walking around my garden, I saw my first Humming-Bird Hawk-Moth (Macroglossum stellatarum). It was early evening and it was feeding on some verbena bonariensis. Since then I've been very, very keen to see another. And perhaps, manage to photograph one. Whilst mowing today and not really thinking about anything much … Continue reading Humming-Bird Hawk-Moth
The Poppy and The Bee
At Home With The Girls
Jim and I recently took possession of three chickens; Rhoda, Isla and Red. They had come to the end of their productive egg-laying farm life and were to be made into dog food. Instead, for the princely sum of one pound each, they came to live in our garden. They moved into a hutch-type-thing that … Continue reading At Home With The Girls
Hubris and Angelica. And Wasps.
A few weeks ago, all puffed up and pleased with myself, I wittered on about my Crambe cordifolia flowering for the first time. (See 'I'm So Excited'). It's up. Someone, somewhere, rolled their eyes, yawned, looked at their fingernails and decided to take me down a peg or two. Accordingly, the wind got up and … Continue reading Hubris and Angelica. And Wasps.
The Flower Meadow …
... isn't something that the owner of the house asked for. Rather it was something that I foisted upon him. I couldn't not. As soon as I saw that flat expanse of mown grass between the ditch and the river, I thought ahh, I wonder. It seemed perfect for leaving to grow into a meadow. … Continue reading The Flower Meadow …
The Anxious Gardener 