Ever since I visited the New Forest a year or so ago, I’ve longed to go back. The pulling power of those wild donkeys, deer and ponies has been irresistible. This time around, we were told that the deer where everywhere, and were becoming a serious problem, as the commons are now over-grazed, yet we saw …
I just love these edible containers at our local train station, especially as folk are encouraged to help themselves when the crops mature! The hollow log planters, in the back garden border, have almost disappeared. They are doing an excellent job of protecting the plants from our three boisterous dogs. I was fascinated by this …
I’ve been concerned by the absence of butterflies this year, so when they finally, arrived en-masse, I drew a breath of relief. Maybe the heat and the buddleia drew them in. They have arrived late though as the buddleia and honeysuckle are almost going over. I simply lose time watching them fluttering about their daily …
Read more “An update on Peanut and what was lurking in the water”
The Eagles were enjoyed, and the Albert Dock admired on the way home. Schools have been visited, and their commitment to green issues applauded! Filming took place at the rescue, for a Channel 4 programme about rescued animals, which is due to air in August. This couch has been hauled up and down the UK, …
Read more “The plight of the hoglets and a newly promoted hospital dog”
Fruitlets, soft fruit and veggies are romping away. As fast as the berries and currants ripen, the birds eat them, which is fine by me as I’m not that precious about them, and there’s always plenty left for us. The mixture of sunshine and showers has meant that I haven’t had to water anything so …
Read more “A little perspective, summer growth, wildlife update and out and about”
Slug free hostas…yay…but for how long? The hostas have multiplied across the gardens over the last couple of years, which is weird given there’s a thriving community of slugs and snails and no frogs, thanks to that big freeze a couple of winters ago. Perfect lupin blooms, although the leaves already have mildew. Rain-battered campanula. …
Another week has flashed by in a blur, but a good blur, with NO drama, and yet, there is always a little drama…fledglings are everywhere, so I’m keeping Buddy out of the back garden, yet still he hunts rodents in the courtyard. He’ll eventually dig his way through to the garden next door. Loud. Dramatic. …
Read more “Veggies, playing out and introducing Buddy to Hallie”
Korean lilac The garden has burst into bloom and flowers and weeds are everywhere. I’m trying to work my way through the borders, but as fast as I weed one, the previous one bursts into weeds again. Clematis montana, covering a seven foot tree stump. Now that the first lush greens of spring have come …
The veggie patch is coming along nicely, with veggies, wind-sown wildflowers and weeds, all thriving. The garlic, potatoes and broad beans are romping away. As are the shallots, hidden here behind the broad beans, potatoes and weeds. Fruit bushes are being contained here, until a new border is cleared for them. I have another thirty …
A member of staff hand-feeding a baby bunny. And so it begins, little guys arriving at wildlife. Four baby rabbits were dug up by something or other, and now need hand-feeding. Initially, the staff were taking them home for evening feeds, now, thankfully, they just need feeding during the day. These guys will be released …
