“At Christmas I no more desire a rose Than wish a snow in May’s new-fangled mirth…” Shakespeare It took many decades for me to have snow on my April birthday. And it was not just a light dusting of snow but two inches of heavy wet snow. Dead trees fell… Continue reading
“We are tired of Winter’s cold leftovers. Given a taste of spring in April, we want a full meal of it.” Hal Borland, Sundial of the Seasons The snow and ice still hanging around at the end of March certainly looked like winter’s leftovers. And I’m sure that we’ll get… Continue reading
I’d rather have the flowers Our simple fathers knew Than these new-fangled blossoms Of every shape and hue I’d rather have a skylark Than a parrot at the Zoo. ~ Reginald Arkell – Green Fingers ~ February, the supposedly short month, felt endless this year. A Wuthering Heights weekend of… Continue reading
“….here I stand, not only with the sense Of present pleasure, but with pleasing thoughts That in this moment there is life and food For future years.” Wordsworth Tintern Abbey It’s easy to think of February as the lowest point in the winter or even the whole year. It is… Continue reading
“Sit by the fireside with Sorrow” Shelley There was no frost here in the valley until late October. I can’t remember another year when the morning glories and other frost tender flowers were still going while the leaves were turning colour. Some of the usual fall garden jobs have been… Continue reading
“I saw old Autumn in the misty morn…” Thomas Hood During the three days of heavy rain at the end of September we had an unbelievable seven inches of rain here in the valley. Greens planted in July for fall soup are coming along nicely. So far the deer haven’t… Continue reading
“Our life is frittered away by detail… Simplify, simplify.” Thoreau I recently came across an idea that I intend to try next year that appears to make growing tomatoes simpler. A gardener in Maine got the brilliant idea (probably not original to her) to grow tomatoes around a vertical ring… Continue reading
“August’s harvest is rich, with all the heat-loving crops coming into full productivity…” Bob Thomson, The New Victory Garden I’m choosing to be positive about the garden in August. The trials of the spring with its late snow and frozen tomatoes have been consigned to the past. I have almost… Continue reading
“Parnassus has its flowers of transient fragrance.” Dr Johnson The porch triffid, aka Nicotiana sylvestris, continues to confound visitors. Many people have asked me what on earth is that giant plant with drooping white flowers. If you have only seen the very dwarf forms that are sold as bedding plants,… Continue reading
