A little snapshot today of some spring highlights from the garden. First up a trio of tulips. Orange Emperor, a bunch from the allotment and a mix of Sunny Prince and Purple Prince. Which are your favourite? I love the allotment ones, which come back reliably each year, I must dig some up for the garden. A view of the garden from the south-east corner. … Continue reading Spring delights
We had a few glorious days of sunshine and blue skies earlier in the week but back to rather grey weather again now. Am trying not to feel to frustrated with the weather gods. Haphazard planting of tulips this year. I was surprised to see Tulipa ‘Request’ coming up in the big pot a second year in a row. I think I forgot they were … Continue reading More spring moments
The weather isn’t playing ball this year, it continues to be mainly cold, wet and windy. Yet seemingly in defiance, the transformation in the garden is picking up pace, and there’s a sense of anticipation despite the somewhat uninspiring conditions. It’s the same every year, the undisputed star of early spring in my garden is Clematis armandii ‘Apple Blossom’, which spreads 7 metres or so … Continue reading The stars of early spring
Early April means that you can really get going with seed sowing in the veg plot. Soil temperatures are starting to rise, as you can tell by all the weed seedlings germinating. I find this a good indication that the ground is warming up. It’s still too soon to sow frost-tender veg outdoors (things like courgettes, French beans and sweetcorn), but there’s still plenty you … Continue reading Early April: sow, sow, sow your seeds
It was a sunny start for the chickens today, like me they do take every opportunity to bask when sunshine is on offer. The chickens don’t have a cockerel, I don’t think we could get away with it. One has to try to be on good terms with one’s neighbours and I doubt that a 5 am start to the day would be conducive to … Continue reading Soon I’ll be busy (6 on Saturday)
Hello everyone! It’s been a cold week here in Belgium but the compensation has been some stunning blue skies against which the plants and bare tree branches look gorgeous. My gardening activity has centred around sowing seeds indoors, and laying down some mulch outdoors. I can’t stress enough how valuable mulch is in improving the soil, retaining water all through the hot summer and doing … Continue reading Old friends in the garden (6 on Saturday)
Hello! I’m diving back into the ‘Six on Saturday’ format but this one’s a bit different! Instead of showing you six things from my garden (which hasn’t yet shed its dismal February look), I’m going to show you six new gardening products that I thought were pretty cool, as seen at the Garden Press Event in London on 21 February. The Garden Press Event is … Continue reading Six cool things for a greener garden
#whybuyrosesinfebruary is a campaign by S.S.A.W, a collective representing sustainable florists. It aims to pose a question that few delighted romantics are likely to ask themselves as they blushingly receive a dozen red roses from their beloved. Why buy roses in February? Before I go on, I seek not to blame either the giver or the receiver of roses. There are many things that need … Continue reading Why buy roses in February?
Yes it really is possible to find fresh and tasty things to eat in early February – direct from the veg plot! This is the first year that I’ve successfully grow crops for winter, so I thought I’d share a few tips and highlights with you. What you do need is a little forward planning, and some kind of protection from the worst of the … Continue reading How to enjoy winter harvests
Contrary to what advertisers will have us believe, not everyone likes making a big deal about Christmas. Having lived abroad for nearly 15 years, I now look at the UK and think it really goes over-the-top with Christmas buildup. It’s hard to avoid the commercial frenzy and excess that surrounds it. Here in Belgium it’s a quiet affair. That means: no Christmas carols blaring out … Continue reading Christmas crafts and plans for 2023 (6 on Saturday)
