Being at home may sound pretty great in the general run of things. Working in your jogging bottoms, watching the TV, not having to worry about having to style your hair ( unless it is for a Teams video meeting), or eating like nobody is watching. It does get pretty tiresome though doesn’t it. “What …
My Heritage Houseplants
If you hadn’t noticed houseplants are big with a capital B at the moment. You, well me at least, cannot do an idle scroll through Instagram or Twitter without getting hit full in the face by a gratuitous photo of a Peperomia, Rebutia or Monstera looking gorgeous. I have always loved a houseplant, but there …
Gardening and Mental Health
Its been a long time since my last blog post, but as it is World Mental Health day today (10th October.) I wanted to share how gardening has helped me face, and I wouldn’t say overcome but learn to live with my mental health issues. A Potted History about Mental Health and Me I’ve struggled …
Spring sadness and madness
Its been a while since my last post but I’ve been a busy boy. Spent some time in Western Australia I would say topping up the tan ready for the summer in the UK, but with my approach to sun safety, I slapped on the SPF 50 and came back only marginally less pale than …
I ❤ Magnolias
Spring is definitely springing and to accompany the rising tide of blooms from ornamental cherries, Japanese apricots and Sloe comes sweeping into the stage; the Magnolia. While former have flowers that are transient Magnolia flowers are sturdy and substantial. Where I live, there must have been, at some point in the past a craze for …
Compost: Brown Gold
Oh, dear another blog post from someone banging on about the wonders of composting. Compost and composting might not be glamorous but it is vital, and there is nothing better than holding some lovely crumbly compost in your bare hands. Compost handling is a strictly no glove activity. I find composting quite addictive. I put …
It’s Crocus Time
I have a crush on a spring bulb. It is not my favourite flower, not even my favourite plant. I don’t like to pick favourites anyway I like to share the love among many green friends. I do have a seasonal fling with the crocus though. It is a very brief passion, a couple of …
Brushing Up on Bottlebrushes
Think of an Australian plant. I bet your first thought was a Eucalyptus, with or without a koala. There might be a Banksia with its seed pods like a nest of hungry birds or a kangaroo paw, maybe even a grass tree or a Grevillea in the mix. I would, however expect that might be …
On Your Marks
It's early February and the days are slowly drawing out as spring approaches. In the garden the Snowdrops, Cyclamen coum and Crocus are in flower showing that winter is behind us, although not far behind as I am reminded when the wind blows in from the east. Now is the time that I begin to …