Gardeners World

Intentions to restoring native wildflowers in our field & garden originated from Sarah Raven’s report on Gardener’s World back in 2008. Years, and many gardening projects later, plans for the field are still on the back burner.  However, talk of Raven’s new book on wildflowers rejuvenated plans. She kindly agreed to an interview, where she shared her passion, enthusiasm and vast knowledge on the subject. This is the first of [...]

Encouraged by Rachel (thank-goodness-my-husband-wasn’t-watching) de Thame’s, notable report on Gardener’s World in early June, the Greenhouse borders were subjected to their first ever Chelsea Chop. Since, their infamous crew cut, progress has been carefully monitored by yours truly, to gauge the chop’s efficacy. No need to explain that this experiment has absolutely no lab coat & clipboard gravitas, though the results are interesting and will dictate next years approach. Just [...]

Just a few days ago, I penned a post questioning how to keep one’s borders looking fresh and new for the summer. Thereby, ensuring that the seasonal transitions, run smoothly for the herbaceous borders. Fortunately for me, the telly proved not just entertaining but refreshingly informative, providing some of the much needed answers. Thank you Gardeners’ World, and in particular, thank you Carol Klein. Carol’s infamous Glebe Cottage garden is [...]

A talented fellow blogger, from across the pond, wrote recently that the start of the summer is nothing but depressing. I thought at the time, that this was a rather odd statement, particularly for a gardener.  Moreover, the mighty Monty, echoed this sentiment on the recent episode of Gardeners’ World, where he acknowledged that as the garden enters a new season, July and August can be pretty tricky months. Though, [...]

The joy of planning a trip to the Hampton Court Flower Show is just that, no need to plan. Ticket purchase, is a relaxed affair, without the months-ahead-or-be-sorry Chelsea style booking procedure. Tickets can be purchased throughout the show week, providing ample flexibility, either online, by phone or at the gate. My only condition; it had to be a week day, to avoid the larger drum of the weekend crowds. [...]

I love the concept of the National Garden Scheme (NGS). Visiting private gardens, secret for rest of the year, is very special indeed. Particularly, with the knowledge that one’s visit will generate much needed capital, for several worthy charities. Though despite much bestowed esteem, several days passed, where the concept of an NGS open day, generated little more than a profusion of anxious frustration. You see, last Sunday (19/06), saw [...]

The idea of chopping off stately plant growth in mid pride, seems utter madness. Though, the inevitable sag in one’s floppy sedums, always brings fourth that nagging question. Should one brave the famous Chelsea Chop? Completely contrary to last weekend’s gardening plans, Rachel (thank-goodness-my-husband-wasn’t-watching) de Thame’s report on the Chelsea chop, encouraged me to take the plunge and start chopping. In last week’s packed episode of Gardeners’ World, RHS Wisley [...]

Rather unsurprisingly, the current weather conditions have led to incredibly fast growth in the garden. Apart from those plants that have ceased to be, all are up and achieving new heights everyday. On the down side, so are the weeds… By no means an accurate scientific comparison, but photographs taken last year, seem to indicate that the borders are at least 3 weeks ahead of their usual growth rate. For [...]

By now, the magnificent Magnolia flowering season has probably ended. Though, depending on your location, for the lucky few, it may still be in full glory.  Admittedly, my knowledge of these wondrous trees is very limited indeed, having to date, simply admired from afar. However, that changed after seeing Carol Klein’s visit to Geldurgan Garden in Cornwall on a recent episode of Gardeners’ World. In particular, regarding the Magnolia Campbelli [...]

Have we just discovered Monty Don in Pam’s shower, with the miraculously revived, Bobby Ewing? Did watching last night’s, so called revised version, of Gardeners’ World, not feel as if Toby Buckland never happened? The ‘all new’ Gardeners World, is just as it was the last time Monty presented, which makes one ponder as to why the BBC, thought it a good idea to change it in the first place. [...]