To dead-head or not to dead-head? That was the question. Whether it was nobler to brave the summer wind and rain; to snip the heads of Candy Stripe, Gazebo mixed, Purity, Sea Shell Mix and Sensation Mixed. Or, whether it was time better spent in doors with a warming brew watching the raindrops pour down the windowsill and fill the pond.
If anyone ever says to me again that making gardening programmes must be all sitting in deckchairs and just watching presenters gardening - I will happily bury them amongst the spring bulbs that I haven't yet had time to plant!
It's wet..... wet and cold, this is not my idea of September! So much for harvest festivals and hazy late summer days. I'm now back at work after a little holiday - back to face a new chapter of ´óÏó´«Ã½ gardening, and I can honestly say, back to work with a very nice chap whose name is Mr Buckland. I managed to escape this inclement landscape and the growing gardening media upheaval for two whole weeks, skipping carefree off to the sunny isle of Cyprus where I dipped my toe more than once in the warm Mediterranean Sea, sipped more than my fare share of cocktails, slept for hours on soft golden beaches and of course did a bit of gardening. I've been going to that particular part of Cyprus for the past 25 years, my family have a small place out there which has been a well needed refuge for me on many an occasion. The best thing about this minute oasis is its little garden, a slow paced project that has kept me entertained since a child. This years additions are; a couple more plants to the Hibiscus hedge, a shocking pink Bougainvillea propping up the side of the white washed building and a sweet scented Jasmine near the patio - I must admit that this garden has never been one of my 'tasteful' projects - more of a Hawaiian shirt (I think everyone should have at least one in their wardrobe!).
Hello! I've only been here a week but it's clear to me there are two main problems I think that we have at Gardeners' World. The first is how on earth in 26 shows a year can we possibly squeeze in everything there is to say about gardening? What do you leave out, when there are so many good ideas, beautiful plants and new things to try?
The rains came - and came and came. Toby's first days at Berryfields were met with a torrent of water and a sea of mud. "It's normally not as bad as this," I kept hearing myself saying, as Sharon, our director tried to engage him in a couple of Dolly Parton classics in order to keep spirits high.
I've just come back from a two-week staycation and very nice it was too. The weather could have been better I suppose, but it didn't stop me from getting lots done at my allotment. It's that time of year when I'm whipping out one crop and replacing it with another in the hope that I'll get something to harvest before the winter sets in. Inspired by Joy Larkcom's visit to Berryfields last month, I've already sown a couple of varieties of pak choi and mustard, and boy they're growing like the clappers. I'm also hoping to get a late crop of baby spinach along with some purple kohl rabi.
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