March was an odd month. It snowed, twice. And I went from temping to a permanent job with everything getting a new job entails: job hunting, apply, interview, repeat. I’m generally quite a rational person, but interviews, like public speaking, are something that provoke a physical and mental reaction in me. The snow prevented me […]
6 books for the urban gardener
After the snow flurry we had a couple of weeks ago, I was raving to go out into the garden this weekend to do some seed sowing and planting up my dahlias. And then we had more snow. Consequently I have spent the weekend moping around, looking longingly at the garden while the snow kept […]
Do containers need drainage holes?
Since I started gardening, I have been a little snobbish about growing plants in containers without drainage holes. I’m not sure why. I enjoy having buckets and bread bins that have had holes drilled in, however drilling holes is not always possible if you don’t have the right tools. Or you might not have decided […]
The garden isn’t dead in January
While keen gardeners and growers are spending cold weekends inside waiting for spring to arrive so we can start sowing, nature hasn’t stopped all winter. The perception might be otherwise, as trees are dormant and herbaceous plants have died back and have left bare soil. However, step outside while the kettle boils and you will […]
Rhapsody in Green – Charlotte Mendelson
I had seen the title Rhapsody in Green crop up on social media a couple times, so on one of my many bookshop visits I decided to bring it home. Published in 2016 by Kyle Books, Charlotte Mendelson’s collection of garden essays has become one of my favourite garden writing books. Following the seasons The […]