David Marsden

LATEST ARTICLES ( 334 )

• Wendy Wasp

  

  On the west lawn at the Priory is a laburnum tree (L. anagyroides). I’ve never been a big fan of laburnum: a small tree usually growing in suburban front garden... Read more

  Posted on 11 September 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Shaving the Meadow

  

  Last Thursday was one of the BIG JOB days at the Priory.  Like the beech and mixed-hedge cutting days (and the eat as many plums as you possibly can before... Read more

  Posted on 08 September 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Grass Snake

  

  I was strimming the banks of the east pond the other day and disturbed a young grass snake (Natrix natrix).  Angrily, he reared up at me like a king cobra; ... Read more

  Posted on 06 September 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Priory Picture Post # 13

  

  At the back of the Priory, in a corner formed by two walls, is a manhole cover.  Not a thing of great beauty – it’s not like it’s a 16th century manhole cover. Read more

  Posted on 04 September 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• New Beds 1, 2 and 3

  

  Recently, I’ve planted up three new beds at the Priory.  None of them are particularly big and one is really only an extension of a larger border. Read more

  Posted on 03 September 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Composting the Priory

  

  I like making compost bins.  I can’t seem to stop.  Stick me in a garden and before you can say, “Sticky Toffee Pudding,” I’ll have knocked up a range of ‘bins. Read more

  Posted on 30 August 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Priory Picture Post # 12

  

  A couple of months ago, I was in a well-known DIY shop (starts with B and ends with Q) and, as is pretty much always the case , I felt the urge to rescue one... Read more

  Posted on 27 August 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• New Life and Poppy’s Triumph

  

  A while ago, Margaret (the farmer whose land surrounds most of the Priory) bought a cow in calf, and the other day, long, long after all her other calves were... Read more

  Posted on 25 August 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• A Backlog of Plants

  

  OK, so I might be overdoing the whole plant acquisition thing:Bought from a local nursery at a third off. I do like a bargain.More bamboos, more rudbeckias, mor... Read more

  Posted on 24 August 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• A Quick Catchup

  

  I’ve been painting gloss work at home; door frames galore and literally mile upon mile of skirting – or so it seems.  I’ve also grown increasingly annoyed,... Read more

  Posted on 21 August 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Margaret’s Cows

  

  The other day, I was enjoying a mug of Earl Grey in the greenhouse, doing a spot of watering and listening to some tip-top pop tunes on my headphones.  Singing... Read more

  Posted on 12 August 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• The Beech Hedging

  

  Much of the west lawn is surrounded by an old, high beech hedge.  Whoever planted it should really have planted hornbeam* as, like beech, a clipped hornbeam... Read more

  Posted on 08 August 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Priory Picture Post # 11

  

  When not working at the Priory, my commute to work is a drive through the South Downs National Park.   It has to be one of the loveliest of drives, through wood... Read more

  Posted on 06 August 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• The Shape

  

  On one of the Priory outbuildings is an ivy. May 2011 I’ve been thinking about shaping it into something.  But I’m not sure what. A hand, a heart, a butterfly? ... Read more

  Posted on 03 August 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Greenhouse Update

  

  I don’t grow a great deal of veg at the Priory (given the size of the place) and I don’t post much about it either. Courgette plants with sweetcorn behind... Read more

  Posted on 27 July 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Help Needed. Apply Within.

  

  A couple of years ago, I visited the garden at Clinton Lodge. Clinton Lodge It is a beautiful garden and if you are able, I would recommend that you pay it a... Read more

  Posted on 24 July 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Priory Picture Post # 10

  

  Marigold Harlequin The only marigold that I grow.  Because she’s worth it. Read more

  Posted on 22 July 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• The Mixed Hedging

  

  Snaking up from the house to the road, the Priory drive is about three hundred yards long and for much of that distance is bordered by a beautiful, old, mixed... Read more

  Posted on 20 July 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• The Priory Beast

  

  During the spring and summer of 2009, I was kept company at the Priory by a family of mallard ducks.  I work alone (had I mentioned that?) so any company is ver... Read more

  Posted on 16 July 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Hog In The Hedge

  

  I haven’t seen a hedgehog for several years.So, when I saw one today (in broad daylight), I ran for my camera – which luckily had the telephoto lens attached. Read more

  Posted on 13 July 2011 GARDENING, HOME