This morning, while watering some thirsty plants I was accompanied for about five minutes by a very confiding Goldcrest (Britain’s smallest bird). At one point it was no more than 12 inches from my hand and it seemed entirely unperturbed by my presence. Needless to say, the moment I went to get my camera it flitted off elsewhere.  I could hear it and its mate calling one another nearby but  after 10 minutes or so I decided that wandering round the garden trying to track down a tiny bird was not the best use of my time, so you will just have to take my word for it.

The National Gardening Show opens this Friday 3rd September.  The event showcases the finest in Autumn gardening, with lots of features that are unique to the show, advice from experts, and help on how to grow plants and vegetables. Experienced and beginner gardeners alike will enjoy the event. 3rd ­ 5th September 2010
The Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset.

I’ve just been sent timely details of a  simple but brilliant new product that will help you keep your gutters free of leaves and debris.  Called the hedgehog gutter brush it most closely resembles a continuous length of bottle brush that you install in your gutters (£15 for 4 metre lengths).  Leaves and other debris are deflected by the bristles keeping your gutters clean and flowing. www.hedgehoggutterbrush.com

While it is still the silly season in the newspapers, there is nothing silly about the story appearing at the moment about the threat to greenfinches from trichomonosis  (a disease caused by a parasite) that is killing them in large numbers. It is primarily a disease of pigeons but for some reason greenfinches are succumbing.  I’ve upped the hygiene with my birdfeeders and birdbath, using Citrox, the citrus-derived natural disinfectant (available from www.organiccatalog.com) to keep things as clean as possible.

Pirate Day Hastings

Nothing garden related, but Hastings has comprehensively trounced the previous world record for the most pirates in one place at one time.  Nothing the locals like better than a bit of dressing up with the result that the previous record was beaten by over 4000!

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