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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Joan writes: As lockdown restrictions were loosened slightly over the weekend, I was able to make arrangements to take charge of my new flock of feathered friends. It’s been a few years since I’ve kept hens and I have to say I’ve missed their chattery, non...

Jo writes: Last week my daughter’s art teacher asked them to create a piece of land or environmental art as their assignment for the week. Music to my ears! It took a bit of persuasion to convince her that this was a fun thing to do....

Joan writes: Freshly cut salad leaf and pea shoots are hard to beat. My current crop is near exhausted so time to sow another batch. Meanwhile, in lockdown, my niece has taken a shine to her garden space and has been growing a variety of things...

Caterpillar Jenny writes: Ambling across my path this morning was a Drinker Moth caterpillar (Euthrix potatoria). At around 6 cm long, the length of the palm of my hand, it was making its way towards the taller hedgerow grasses and safe shelter. Drinker Moths are fluttering...