There is only one thing I love more than the RHS, and that is sitting with my old feet up, enjoying a hot beverage, and criticising young people from a safe distance while they work hard Our video on how to plant a formal hedge is, much like me, seriously showing its age, so we’re… Continue reading Backseat Hedge Planting: RHS Edition
Yew Tree Farm: Bristol’s Last Working Farm
Catherine Withers owns the last farm within Bristol’s city limits, and is fighting to keep it going We’re a bit late posting this video asking Bristolians to show up to Bristol City Hall in October last year, but apart from that little detail it’s a good intro. You can read the latest news about the… Continue reading Yew Tree Farm: Bristol’s Last Working Farm
Rootgrow by Empathy: RHS Approved Mycorrhizae AKA “Friendly Fungi”
Mycorrhizae fungi coexist with plant root systems in a symbiotic relationship: the fungi give the plant water and soil nutrients in exchange for the sugars that plants make by photosynthesis Fungi grow much faster than roots, so they can increase a transplanted plant’s effective root area many times over in only a few weeks, during which… Continue reading Rootgrow by Empathy: RHS Approved Mycorrhizae AKA “Friendly Fungi”
Hedgerow Heroes: Biodiversity Bloxham Oxford
This winter planting season, about 400 Oxfordshire volunteers spruced up 500 metres of neglected hedgerow, and planted over 2,500 metres of new hedges, beating their target by 300 metres. This is all part of Phase Four of the Campaign to Protect Rural England’s Hedgerow Heroes project. The local Banbury MP, known affectionately as “Sean-Off” Woodcock, joined… Continue reading Hedgerow Heroes: Biodiversity Bloxham Oxford
New Year’s Resolutions
Happy new year, dear reader. If you want some real garden related New Year’s Resolutions, we are big fans of the super charitable National Garden Scheme, who actually put some effort into listing serious resolutions for grown-ups. I am much too mature now to be serious, so these are my new year’s resolutions: do feel… Continue reading New Year’s Resolutions
Christmas Presents for Gardeners
There are so many things a gardener wants to find under the tree on Christmas morning. But not another decorative fork and trowel set with floral design handle and little practical use, or that grainy, green organic soap, please Let’s get serious and define gardening up front here, as it relates to the garden owner:… Continue reading Christmas Presents for Gardeners
Classic Navarin of Lamb Recipe: A French Comfort Dish
Navarin of lamb is a classic French stew, bursting with hearty flavours and rustic charm. Known for its tender pieces of lamb and a medley of fresh vegetables simmered in a rich, savoury sauce, this dish is a perfect marriage of simplicity and sophistication. It’s a meal that not only satisfies the palate but also… Continue reading Classic Navarin of Lamb Recipe: A French Comfort Dish
Shropshire Hedgerow Heroes
The Shropshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England is on fire this year with hedge related events The hottest events in the CPRE (The Countryside Charity) volunteer & event calendar this year are shaping up to be in Shropshire, whose CPRE branch have made practically international news in the Shropshire Star for their… Continue reading Shropshire Hedgerow Heroes
Does Silver Birch Make a Good Hedge Plant?
No, silver birch does not make a good clipped hedge plant. It will serve, but it’s a somewhat sad sightHowever, it is a good tree to grow as part of a pretty, wildlife friendly mixed native hedgerow, featuring a standard tree every few metres Silver birch is the worst native tree to try to turn… Continue reading Does Silver Birch Make a Good Hedge Plant?
Tree Hugging Ineffective, Studies Show
Despite organising Britain’s largest tree hug, Coventrians are unable to prevent 26 big old trees getting the final chop-chop In the largest scientific study of its kind, Coventry demonstrated that when the council is out to build you some roads, a tree hug isn’t going to change that, even a really big one. Coventry Council are… Continue reading Tree Hugging Ineffective, Studies Show