The Gardeners' Apprentice Two days ago I saw the first goblet-shaped crocus blossoms just in front of the privet hedge by my driveway. They were little Crocus chrysanthus, early bloomers that are only about half the size of their later blooming, Dutch crocus relatives. They are amazingly powerful little plants, pushing up through the frozen earth, shrugging off … Read more
The island of Guernsey sits in the English Channel, thirty miles from Normandy and seventy-five miles from Weymouth, England. Occupied at various times by Romans, Vikings, Normans and Germans, it is now An English dependency occupied primarily by foreign banks who have taken advantage of the island’s favorable business climate to establish offshore operations. But … Read more
I find it very comforting to think that life is full of symmetry. For example, at this time of year, it is probable that something–rain, sleet, snow or a mix of all three–will fall from the sky several times a week. It is also highly likely that seed and plant catalogs will fall through the … Read more
Some people are fortunate enough to have conservatories or greenhouses. I am not one of them–yet. Instead I have a potting room in the cellar. It’s a former home workshop and not much to look at, but it’s only steps away from the door the leads out into my back garden, so it’s very convenient. … Read more
My mother loved to use antique pots to hold plants and cut flowers, and when I was growing up our house was filled with an assortment of old brass kettles, copper wash boilers and salt-glazed pottery crocks. The crocks were the most interesting because they were “country” pieces, used on farms in the last quarter … Read more
