I’m surrounded by seed and plant catalogues because this is the time of year when I reflect on what worked and what didn’t in the garden and decide what to grow next year. I have to start by confessing that I don’t learn. In fact, I am remarkably similar to the pheasant I spotted taking seed from the feeder today. Every time he pecked it, it swung back and hit him. But he still staggered forward for another peck, undeterred. Why don’t I learn for instance that if you plant 20 courgette plants, you will get 20 tons of courgettes? And I don’t mean those cute little ones either. The cuties hide under leaves and morph overnight into monster marrows that are no good to anyone except as assault weapons. How many did I plant this year? Oh yes, dear reader, 20. And boy did they do well. Can I report my faves? Bianca di Trieste (a little pale one), Romanesco (striped and ribbed) and Soleil (yellow). You can get all of them as seeds from Sarah Raven. I also like Nero di Milano which is a very deep and shiny dark green.
Continue reading January Garden Journal
Category: Writing
August: A month of rest for most, but not me!
We are only 10 days into the month of August and so far I have been very busy. Here are three completely contrasting things I have been doing so far:
Here’s a commentary from me, just published in Nature . Continue reading August: A month of rest for most, but not me!