David Marsden

LATEST ARTICLES ( 334 )

• Autumn Snapshots

  

  Here’s a few photos taken over the past week or two.A forbidding portal to another, darker place?  Nah, just the Priory Drive descending through the wood ……... Read more

  Posted on 07 November 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• The Tropical Border Revisited

  

  Back in April, I told you about the new tropical or hot border I was developing (see ‘Planning for the Tropical Border’). And I promised to let you know how it... Read more

  Posted on 24 October 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Greenhouse Maintenance

  

  Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been readying the greenhouse for winter.  It is two and a half years old and in need of a damn good clean.Out with all the... Read more

  Posted on 15 October 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• September Return

  

  September is a favourite month;in fact I’d rank it in my top twelve.The light is sharp and low and the gardens look pretty good with much still in flower.  But... Read more

  Posted on 24 September 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• A Priory Pause

  

  I’m about to toss my blogging beret (with ostrich feather) to one side; take off my blogging smoking-jacket (burgundy with faux-ermine trim), lay down my... Read more

  Posted on 11 August 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Cows In The Asparagus

  

  As I parked my car this morning, I saw a black and white figure lurking beneath the hornbeams and obviously up to no good.But what on Earth …. ?Ah.  I see. ... Read more

  Posted on 07 August 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Wild Places, Wild Flowers – Summer

  

  The most noticeable scent in the Priory gardens at the moment is not the roses; neither is it lilies; nor the strong wafts from summer flowering honeysuckle. Read more

  Posted on 05 August 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Wordless Wednesday

  

  Here’s a wheeze.Juvenile Long-tailed titApparently, on Wednesdays some people post a photo without any …. damn. Read more

  Posted on 01 August 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Charleston Manor

  

  In a quiet crease of the South Downs lies Charleston Manor. It is somewhere I have long wanted to visit and so, when I heard that the gardens were open, I almos... Read more

  Posted on 31 July 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Strangers On My Knapweed

  

  Common knapweed (Centaurea nigra) grows widely in the meadow.It flowers from June till September,is very popular with a wide range of insects and is usually... Read more

  Posted on 25 July 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Cutting The Mixed Hedging

  

  There are three ‘Priory Big Jobs’ punctuating the summer: the cutting of the mixed hedging, the cutting of the beech hedging and the cutting of the meadow.  Las... Read more

  Posted on 20 July 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Of Flowers And Foes

  

  I’m rather fond of lilies.I know not everyone is.But I am.  I grow them in some of the borders and …… in pots.After two years grace, lily beetles have now... Read more

  Posted on 14 July 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Swallows And The Kestrel

  

  As buzzards will always remind me of the Priory, so kestrels will always make me think of the Old Forge.I see them hunting over the gardens and the surrounding... Read more

  Posted on 10 July 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Bird Feeder

  

  I am a self-employed gardener and that suits me just fine.  But it does mean that I don’t get certain benefits.  No work pension.  No sick pay.  No holiday pay.... Read more

  Posted on 04 July 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Slug Feeder

  

  This cool, wet “summer” has been fabulous for our slug and snail chums.  And I’ve learnt that I’m really good at something.   (What a relief that is). I’m simpl... Read more

  Posted on 30 June 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Antwerp Zoo

  

  On a recent visit to Antwerp, we managed to drain our glasses, rise from the comfort of a café and go to the zoo.  I always like to visit a zoo on a city-break. Read more

  Posted on 23 June 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• I Turn My Back For Five Minutes

  

  We’ve been on a city-break to Antwerp.  Thought I’d better scrub up a bit first, so I had my monthly bath a couple of weeks early, scoured (most of) the... Read more

  Posted on 16 June 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Finally

  

  The Priory is a grand, old Dame and I love her dearly.  But will she be rushed?  She will not; she will put on a show in her own good time – thank you very much. Read more

  Posted on 05 June 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• Priory Picture Post # 21

  

  Having depressed you with a tale of duck desperation, duck derring-do, duck despair and duck death (see last post), I thought it would be fun to carry on in a... Read more

  Posted on 29 May 2012 GARDENING, HOME

• The Fox And The Duck

  

  I was packing up after work today, when I heard an almighty racket from out on the meadow.  I grabbed my camera and ran round the house to see what on earth... Read more

  Posted on 24 May 2012 GARDENING, HOME