Month: June 2020

Time to fly the nest

Joan writes: You might recall that I commented on what I considered to be the ‘earlier than usual’ arrival of swallows to our garden in the middle of April. Time has flown past with Mum and Dad Swallow having shipped out their first brood and this...

What’s bugging you?

Jo writes: As National Insect Week (22nd-26th June) comes to an end, I thought I would share another lovely gardening activity to ensure that even the smallest of creatures can flourish in your outdoor space or gardening project. After all, as they say on the National...

Sensory Sensations: Roses and Lavender

Jenny writes: Beautiful to the eye, many roses are now blooming in the garden. Personally, I love deep pink roses, creamy yellows and (secret crush!) salmon pink and orange ones. This deep pink variety, named ‘Gertrude Jeykll‘ after the famous 19th century garden designer, flourishes in...

Preserving beauty

Jo writes: It’s British Flowers Week! And that got me to thinking about the days when my daughter, and I, were younger and we used to do lots of flower pressing! And indeed, with a bit of digging, I found the simple press we had made...

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

What will you do on the longest day, which this year falls on Saturday 20th June? Perhaps you’ll take in a performance of Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, maybe you’ll be up early to see the sun rise and sleeping late to make the best of...

Drinks in the Garden

Joan writes: Fiona’s talk of ‘Midsummer’ has brought it home as to how quickly this year seems to be passing by. Perhaps it is the strange time we are currently living in, with regular ‘time-mapping’ events knocked for six. Or maybe it is the uncannily fab...

The shop is open again!

Joan writes: Wehey! My most favourite shop is open. The recommended distancing guidelines and disinfecting stations were in place, but there was enough space all around to browse at my leisure and the queue wasn’t so bad. Yes, my local garden centre has opened for business...

Poppies

Jenny writes: Walked into the garden yesterday morning to be met with a blaze of colour from the oriental poppies in my north facing (but gets a slice of morning summer sun) border. What a treat! And in complete contrast to the restrained pinks, lilacs and...