There is a well established link between gardens and art. Throughout history, gardens and plants have provided the inspiration for some of the worlds greatest art - most obviously examples like Monet's paintings of his garden at Giverny, Van Gogh's Sunflowers, or Manet's Le Déjeuner sur l’herbe. Gardens can also be the settings for great art, where structures and … [Read more...] about The art of gardens
The February garden: here’s what to do
As I write, after 6 straight days of heavy rain, snow is now swirling around a bleak and sodden February garden, whipped by a bitter easterly wind. It seems scarcely possible that this is the same patch of ground that a few months ago gave us rich ripe tomatoes, aromatic basil, and sparkling borders full of sumptuous dahlias. And yet, although February can certainly be … [Read more...] about The February garden: here’s what to do
How to choose the best garden hoe for weeding
Weeding is generally one of the gardener’s least favourite tasks, but a good hoe can make the task not only easier but often, in my experience, actually enjoyable. Now, I had better qualify that last statement. A lot depends on the type and quality of your hoe. So, let's look at these points below. When to use a garden hoe Hoes are designed to clear weeds by skimming … [Read more...] about How to choose the best garden hoe for weeding
The curated garden – the best gardening blogs
This post is designed for you to come back to again and again. By the miracle of technology, I can bring you a feed from some of the best gardening blogs and websites on the internet - updated daily. Sources, drawn from around the world, include: BBC Gardeners WorldA Way to GardenGardening Know HowSavvy GardeningDiggingThe Middle Sized GardenThe Frustrated GardenerUrban … [Read more...] about The curated garden – the best gardening blogs
Reflections on the gardening year 2020
As we approach the end of 2020, it seems quite hard to imagine what life was like before the Coronavirus pandemic. I realise that readers in different parts of the world will have had different experiences, but here in the UK, the full lockdown and the closing down of normal life for several months, generated a strange sense of uneasy peace. The frenetic, 'always on' … [Read more...] about Reflections on the gardening year 2020
