Nepeta growing with a Gallica rose
Gardening

What to plant with roses + a design workshop + a nature retreat

Hello! The temperature is really climbing here, and after a cool early June we’re heading into the heat now, hitting the 30’s C. Phew, scorchio! It’s been another funny year weatherwise, with a dry early spring that had the bonus of keeping the slugs at bay, and then a very wet May-mid June, which did bring the slow-moving but well-equipped army of slimey ones out … Continue reading What to plant with roses + a design workshop + a nature retreat

Sel Calderbank2 Comments
Gardening, Nature & Wildlife

Hurrah for the naturalisers this spring!

These days, I’m happy with those plants that give me a little less work in the garden! No, I’m not getting lazy, nor am I falling into the camp that sees gardening as just another chore, heavens no! It’s just that I don’t have quite as much pottering time as I used to, what with work and all, and every now and then, it’s nice … Continue reading Hurrah for the naturalisers this spring!

Sel Calderbank4 Comments
Food & Recipes, Gardening, Nature & Wildlife

Autumn fruitfulness and an unwelcome visitor…

I find autumn to be a very satisfying season. You quite literally can enjoy the fruits of your labour, or even just enjoy the fruits that you didn’t necessarily labour over! Have you tried Quince? It’s been a great year for quince, a forgotten fruit that is enjoying a bit of a revival. We are lucky enough to have a tree in our communal allotment … Continue reading Autumn fruitfulness and an unwelcome visitor…

Sel Calderbank6 Comments
Gardening, Nature & Wildlife

Plants that go the extra mile!

At this time of year I always appreciate those plants that did lovely things in spring or summer – delicate spring blossom or glorious summer flowers for instance – but now give a little bit more into autumn and winter. They’re like the best type of friend, those who go the extra mile for you when you weren’t expecting it! Plants with 2+ seasons of … Continue reading Plants that go the extra mile!

Sel Calderbank10 Comments
Food & Recipes, Gardening

How to make grape juice in 5 easy steps

It’s been a great year for many fruits, and grapes seem to be no exception. I’m lucky enough to have a grapevine in my garden which I inherited, and it produces sweet red grapes. These are good enough to eat as they are (and the hornets certainly seem to be enjoying them!) but we could never get through that many, so I make grape juice. … Continue reading How to make grape juice in 5 easy steps

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Gardening

Six plants to beat the summer slump

You know how everything builds up in spring to culminate in extravagant floral exuberance in May and June? By contrast July and August can seem a tad underwhelming in the garden. But a few summer troopers will lift the mood and keep the interest going. Here are six of my favourites to beat that summer slump: 1- Hemerocallis (daylilies) Producing classic lily flowers in sunny … Continue reading Six plants to beat the summer slump

Sel Calderbank8 Comments
Gardening

6 winning ideas for shade, from Chelsea Flower Show

I’ve been to Chelsea Flower Show, the most over-the-top but compelling event of the British horticultural scene, twice in my life. The first time was in my early twenties with two school friends, when it seemed like a lot of fuss over plants but great fun. The second time was last week, and this time I was able to get more out of it! And … Continue reading 6 winning ideas for shade, from Chelsea Flower Show

Sel Calderbank6 Comments
Gardening, Nature & Wildlife

The indispensable gap filler: Forget-me-not

There’s a specific moment in the garden when it’s poised between the excitement of early spring, when each sign of life is a treasure beyond compare, and the mad rush of exuberant growth in the heady months of May and June. A lot of the spring bulbs have done their thing, but the herbaceous perennials aren’t quite ready to fill the gap. This is where … Continue reading The indispensable gap filler: Forget-me-not

Sel Calderbank6 Comments