Bearded Tits

To Hay-on-Wye in the rain with Spouse to listen to Rory McGrath talking about his new book.

Saw lots of damp pseudo-intellectuals clutching soggy copies of the Observer.

Enjoyed it.

Cornus Alternifolia Argentea

This small tree caught my eye in Normandy and again at Kifsgate (where even Spouse said he like it). I made a note in my 'wanted' book and have been looking out for it ever since. Today I found one - in a nursery just a few miles up the road.

Diary Date

I picked this up from our local garage yesterday. Suspect it might be a race against time seeing 7 gardens over a mile apart plus teas and competitions - in three hours.

If I can catch my breath, I'm rather looking forward to seeing what does well in other gardens locally.

Will they all be Chelsea green?

Brassica Massacre

Two questions:

1. What foul fiend did this?

2. How do I destroy it?

I am assuming it is not sprout hating Spouse with a pair of scissors.

Adam Pasco Award Winner

In celebration of winning the coveted Fork'n Monkey Adam Pasco Award I am revealing myself for one day only - cucumbers removed - clutching the cash.

Thank you all who voted!

Sparrow Chicks

I reckon the sparrow chicks will be leaving the nest any day now.

Straw

Gill at work is a Farmer's wife and I called at the farm today to pick up a bale of straw for my strawberries. One bale will probably last me 10 years - once the twine is cut the stuff expands and I have loads!

Have also mixed some up with the grass cuttings rather than using shredded newspaper to speed up the composting.

Lower Hope Gardens

Spouse and I visited Lower Hope gardens (yellow book '08, page 266) yesterday. I particularly liked the 'ditch' as this is what I plan for our post-Somme garden with a Cornus alternifolia Argentea on the bank.

Spouse thinks it will take up too much lawn.

All the less for him to mow then!

Catmint

Tiggy-the-cat died on Saturday morning and we buried her in a corner of the garden close to a conifer hedge where she often slept. This has prompted me to clear some of the ground under the hedge which I will cover with some of her favourite nepeta plants.

Fork'n Monkey Award

Sod being coy - Vote for me here

...and guess how many 'anonymous' bloggers have nominated themselves...

Sunflower War

Jiggy called round yesterday to see if the slugs had attacked my sunflowers. I was pleased to report that they are doing fine... teehee!!

Uncle Pound has supplied Jiggy with some Russian Giant seedlings to replace her slug damaged ones.

The race is on.

Wedding Anniversary

After 14 years of marriage, Spouse came up trumps with a gorgeous Abbott and Ellwood brooch that he said reminded him of me.

Does he really think I have enormous hips?

Sunflower Competition

Bodenham seems to be the most competitive village in England. Now Jiggy up the road has challenged me to grow the biggest sunflower in the village.

I have planted some Russian Giants in the fruit 'n' nut hedge. They did really well last year and are pictured in the new Wiggly catalogue. Jiggy says that hers will be bigger.

Watch this space.

...but no Cake

I now discover that there were cakes and Katie Johnson in the big tent at Malvern. (For years I did the monthly book review with Katie)

All I saw was Joe Swift and some bloke waving a plant pot about.

Aggrieved from Hereford.

To Malvern with Mel

Spent yesterday at the Malvern Spring Show with Mel. We went in Mel's car as it has a bigger boot in which to stuff more plants.

We both got sunburn and spent way over our budgets.

Fantastic!!!

Pheasant's Eye

We staggered home from the pub last night and were hit by a wall of scent in the borders. Some drunken sniffing and staggering ensued and with the aid of Spouse's new key-ring-torch we discovered it was the Pheasant's Eye daffodils.

They are late to flower but well worth the wait. I reckon I should plant some in tubs by the door for next year.

Chick Update

All 4 chicks are doing well and seem bigger every day.

Red Lily Beetle

Another vile pest to add to my garden list is this Red Lily Beetle which Spouse squashed for me last night.

Today I will buy Spouse some beer as a squashing reward and also to put in slug traps.

Slugs have been attacking everything else.

Sparrow Chicks

It looks like we have four little beaks in bird-box cam but no sound on the camera!

Orange Tip Butterfly

Although I think it's from the same family as the cabbage white, the Orange-Tip butterfly does a lot less damage.

I'm hoping the weight of it will force the teasing allium buds to open.

Couch Grass Root

Not content with winning the giant veg competition, Mrs Veg-on-the-edge has now thrown down the gauntlet for the longest couch grass root.

Looking at my veg beds, I'm in with a fighting chance.

Mrs Veg-on-the-Edge is obviously preparing her giant vegetables for the village veg show in August.

Think I will give up.

Unless....

Montezuma's Revenge

In 1519, Cortez discovered tomatoes growing in Montezuma's gardens and brought seeds back to Europe where they were planted as ornamental curiosities, but not eaten.

My seed packet was supposed to contain the seeds of tomato principe borghese however the resulting plant looks suspiciously un-tomato-like.