Enduring Gardener

A Camera-Shy Delight

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:50:35 +0000

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.

National Gardening Show

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:53:48 +0000

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.

Gutterly Brilliant

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:42:41 +0000

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

Keep it Clean

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:19:59 +0000

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.

And Finally

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:03:53 +0000

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!

Your blogger was one of 6,200

The Garden in August

admin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 14:40:21 +0000

Giant Purple Zinnia

Crinum & Hydrangea villosa

Gladiolus papilio 'Ruby'

On the allotment in August

admin — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 11:33:01 +0000

The annual open day at the allotment followed hot on the heels of our open day. The sun shone, home made wine was drunk and the BIG EVENT was our plucky MP, Amber Edwards, who officially cut the loo roll to inaugurate our new solar-powered, state-of-the-art composting loo - and it was her birthday!

That Shallot

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:26:10 +0000

The shallots have been harvested and ideally I would have planted the chard where they were growing but the parsnip foliage is well over 3ft tall and shading the bed so I will have to put them in a pot.

In the greenhouse in August

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 11:17:05 +0000

The tomatoes are ripening apace and the delicious Brandywines are the star performers – huge and delicious. I’m currently addicted to tomato sandwiches. The turbo peppers from Suttons are also performing well – far better than the non-grafted varieties.

Galapagos in Your Back Garden:

admin — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:56:34 +0000

Golden ringed Dragonfly

In yesterday’s Independent Stanley Johnson (father of blonde bombshell Boris) wrote a fine feature about the danger of eco-tourism destroying this unique habitat. Instead of travelling to the furthest side of the world damaging the planet as you go, why not leave that to David Attenborough and the BBC’s wildlife photographers (and HD television) and explore the wildlife in your own back garden instead. All you need is a good hand lens and the time to examine the flora and fauna in close-up. You will be amazed what you find when you really start to look. Birds in Your Garden and Collins Complete Guide - British Insects and The Wildflowers of Britain and Ireland will help with identification and you can learn more on the subject at www.wildlifegardener.co.uk and uksafari.com.