Foraging for Berries

I took the dog out the other day for her afternoon walk on a patch of land near our house. A fellow dog walker was picking elder berries, not for jam, as I have done, but for making cordial for her son who has allergies to various manmade ingredients in regular cordial. She told me the recipe was on a website called Eat Weeds and here it is

http://www.eatweeds.co.uk/elderberry-cordial-syrup

I have just had a quick look and the site looks very interesting :) will delve in more when I have some spare time.

A few years ago I went a bit crazy with making preserves as, like this year, there was such an abundance of free food. Hedgerow jelly was a hit with crab apples, blackberries, rosehips, hawthorn berries, sloes, all free to pick. I have not had the time this year (any spare is taken up with crochet!). I did have a walk though the fields with the dog yesterday and spotted some berries.

Blackberries

Hawthorn Berries

Rosehips

Sloes

 

 

 

Only this morning there was talk of a bumper crop of hedgerow berries on the news

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-29249685

Though not all fruit are doing so well. Two of my clients have very little apples this year - and its not my pruning!! A number of people have mentioned this same issue, maybe something to do with the wet Spring? You never know what nature will throw at you.

Well, there's going to be a lot of well fed creatures this Autumn, including our new addition of a squirrel that has taken up residence in our heavily laden hazel tree. The fella better watch it though, the dog loves a tree rat and I have now discovered Ronan, our big ginger cat, reckons he can take it on, though I really hope he doesn't corner it as squirrels can cause a lot of damage with those sharp claws!!

Get yourselves out there and pick your free food. Just please be sure you know what you are picking.

Pause For Thought

Nearly 3000 people died this day 13 years ago.

The One World Trade Centre is now complete.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-29148536

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24055725

One World x

Ancient Story

Brown bears on Dartmoor! Not now of course, don't panic your picnic is safe :)
Very interesting article, which was also on tv last week. What an amazing place! This National Park is full of ancient settlements, burial grounds, stone rows and circles, you don't have to walk far to find evidence of our ancestors.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-29067027

A Happy Wildlife Story

It does seem to be all doom and gloom when it comes to the natural world these days, so it makes a refreshing change to read something positive. Heres a small article about  Marsh Fritillaries. Not really 'headline news' but it all helps. we are members of the Devon Wildlife Trust and through joining, we have found many new places to visit on our doorstep. I think all counties have a Wildlife Trust so get in there and discover your local nature reserves :)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-29075113

End Of Summer?

Anyone else getting that Autumnal feel?

I know, its the middle of August, but its tipping down with rain and its cold enough at night for me to look at the woodburner and think of the lovely warmth it offers. Much as I do love Autumn, I hope the weather picks up again, just give us another month!

There's a great little place near me that sells plants, mainly bedding, with an honesty box to take the money. Passed it the other day and he is already selling Autumn bedding, Cyclamen, brightly leaved Heathers and Ivy. Time to think about changing my hanging basket...but no, not yet, still got flowers on my Diascias.

Still plenty of jobs to do this month, one of them being Summer pruning if Wisteria. I have a client whos very vigorous Wisteria has reached the roof of her 3 storey house, now I am OK with ladders, but on this occasion I think I need a volunteer! Apart from the stems you want to train, cut back the whippy current growth to 5 or 6 leaves. This will stop it growing into the guttering, windows or getting too high! Also encourages flower buds to form.

Got Raspberries? Keep cutting back the canes of your summer fruiting raspberries. You can also lift and pot up strawberry runners. I need to do this, my plants need replacing, as they have lost their vigour. It is recommended to replace strawbarry plants every 3 or so years.

Keep deadheading your roses. If you have a rambler, give them a prune now, if they have gotten out of hand and need more drastic work then wait until late Autumn or Winter. Also, give your summer flowering shrubs a prune, such as Hebes and Lavender.

It is time to be cutting grass on a higher setting now that growth is slowing down. If your mower mulches, then do so as the clippings will help with moistre retention.There will be plenty to do for the lawn this Autumn.

Lets hope we get a dry spell to get these jobs done :)

Better Late Than Never!

I know, its been a while since my last blog, am afraid its been bottom of my list for a while. Have you missed me??!

Have been really busy with work which, of course is a good thing, though it is partly due to lack of manpower. You wouldn't think it was difficult to find someone who can garden, but trust me, it is! People assume that anyone can be a gardener, and I suppose thats true, but not anyone can be a good gardener! You don't need lots of knowledge to get into gardening, enthusiasm is a great thing as you will learn as you go on.

Though I studied horticulture at college, most of my knowledge has been gained from practical experience, and a love of plants! I did learn a lot at college but, to be honest, I was more interested in the social side - I did love a party! Good old days :)

It wasn't until I left college that I realised I did actually enjoy gardening and 18 years after leaving am still a gardener, and still enjoy it (unless its raining heavily!). Oh dear, 18 years :( so thats 21 years I've been in the industry. Its my birthday today so years are on my mind!

If you are thinking about taking up gardening as a new career, give it some serious thought before you get started. A want to learn is key, if the enthusiasm isn't there you will not last long! Its a tough job, I have numerous ailments - am having my knee x-rayed in a couple of weeks as its causing me grief. Remember the weather here in the UK is pretty unpredictable, get yourself some quality waterproofs, and plenty of suncream (its really hot here at the mo). If you're not keen on working in the rain, don't be a gardener! It can also be incredibly rewarding, especially if you have been working in a garden for years, seeing it develop, being part of its improvements and knowing that tree or shrub you planted could be there long after you've 'left the building'.

Well Im off to enjoy the day and hopefully get some birthday cake :)

Weekend Events

I'm going to be at the following events this weekend, showing off my other hobby of crochet - and trying to sell it! Come along if you live in the area

The first one is on Saturday in the pretty village of Lustleigh (where I also work :)), celebrating traditional Devon dance and music

http://www.dartmoor.co.uk/events/moor-merriment-a-dartmoor-weekend-2014-p883303


On Sunday I will be selling my wares at the Dowland Country Fair, near Winkleigh, a great family day out

http://www.dowlandcountryfair.org.uk/


Weather is going to be dry too!!