The Art of the Cottage Garden

This morning I will be presenting my new talk "The Art of the Cottage Garden" 11am at Essex Meadows. Below are a few photos and comments from the presentation.

The design aesthetic of a garden is often driven, and rightfully so, by the style of the domicile which it aims to enhance

In our garden we are partial to sowing seeds of poppies and other self sowing annuals.

An aged patio, into a corner of which is arranged an assortment of mismatched and weathered planters and pots filled with color.

More Fall Bounty

We all know the showy bracts (flowers) of Cornus Kousa, that create a beautiful Spring display.

The colorful fruits that adorn the tree in late Summer

and the true fall color of the leaves.

 Did you know that the fruit is edible, a flavor described as mango and pumpkin

If you know the tree is free from chemicals,simply break the skin and suck out the flesh, be mindful of the pit.

Enjoy.

The importance of water.

This is a good comparison between two Nasturtium plants.

the first has a constant supply of moisture.

 The second has rain only.

Yet the two plants are only a few feet apart.

Fall's bounty

Today feels like our first Fall day and Summer is closing. but we do have bounty from the garden and orchard to soften the blow.

and the flower borders are still full of colour.

All we need now is for Sooty to hatch.

 Then we can fire up the oven and get back to enjoying hot Pizza.

Fall Walling Workshop

This year our Fall weekend walling workshop is on the 29th & 30th of Sept.

Before we get to working with the stone, safety is discussed. Footwear, eye protection, correct lifting techniques, etc.

Followed by an explanation of the various tools available and how to use them correctly and safely.

Once we get to the hands on stage, within minutes, complete strangers are discussing the merits of various stones and cooperating like old friends. 

Saturday evening, as with every workshop, is spent discussing the days progress and relaxing with beer, wine and pizza.

Made in our outdoor wood fired oven

One would think that flat square stone would be easy to wall with, but while it is angular, it is not regular like bricks,

and even the slightest deviation in height, makes it difficult for C to contact both A and B.

Whereas with the rounded corners of fieldstone, C makes good contact with A and B, even though A is slightly higher than B and E makes good contact with both C and D, even though D is substantially higher.

In my opinion, the learning curve with angular stone is steeper than with fieldstone, but once learnt, will allow you to wall with most types of stone.

A must have for your late summer/early fall garden

The Sweet Autumn Clematis, (Clematis paniculata) is floriferous, fragrant and visited by a host of pollinators

 It is also a vigorous grower,so give it room

This is a self sown plant that I found growing in the garden last Fall. It was replanted this Spring at the base of the outdoor wood fired oven,

and is already clambering over the dome.