David Marsden

LATEST ARTICLES ( 334 )

• "I’m So Excited ….

  

  and I just can’t hide it, I’m about to lose control and I think I like it”So now I know what the Pointer Sisters were so excited about. Read more

  Posted on 08 May 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• My Team

  

  A couple of weeks ago I split my sarracenias.  (I’ll never father children now).  Potted them up and now have eight of them dotted around the staging of the... Read more

  Posted on 03 May 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Priory Beauties

  

  Over in the meadow, the first Camassia quamash has flowered.  I planted 200 of these small bulbs last autumn so this better not be the only one.  (Or else... Read more

  Posted on 30 April 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Tomatoes and Tree Peonies

  

  I’ve been spending so much time mowing, edging and weeding that it was satisfying to do some planting the other day and tick off a job on my ever-growing... Read more

  Posted on 28 April 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Blog Logo

  

  I’ve been playing around trying to design a logo for the blog.  Not sure why but it keeps me off the streets.Do you own a billhook? Read more

  Posted on 26 April 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• It Blooms and It Blooms

  

  Years ago, my partner Jim (his real name) and I went to Northumberland and stayed in a very, very remote cottage for a week.  We took with us our young... Read more

  Posted on 22 April 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Blooming Priory 2

  

  At this time of year the light is a hindrance.  Whilst trying to work, I’m constantly having to stop and admire a particular plant, Osmanthus x burkwoodii. Read more

  Posted on 19 April 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• ‘Ware the Toad

  

  A few weeks ago, I was walking down a woodland path when I came across a toad.  Some people aren’t too fond of  toads,  but I most certainly am. Read more

  Posted on 18 April 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• New Residents at the Priory

  

  You may remember that I built a nest box for a tawny owl. And you may remember that last year rather than a tawny owl, a pair of wood pigeon nested in it. Grrrr. Read more

  Posted on 15 April 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Blooming Priory

  

  I’m trying to catch up after all my time off.  Serves me right, of course, for going away at such a busy time of year.  The grass is growing like billyo and... Read more

  Posted on 12 April 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• And Back Again

  

  So.  You  go away for a few days and when you come back half the internal walls in your house are gone.  You’ve got no bathroom, no kitchen, no heating, barely... Read more

  Posted on 06 April 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Away Awhile

  

  I’m going away for a few day to walk in a circle.  It’s quite a big circle otherwise I needn’t leave the warm confines  of the greenhouse.  It’s a 150 miles of... Read more

  Posted on 18 March 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Margaret’s Lamb

  

  The other day (after my elevenses at ten o’clock), I stepped out of the greenhouse and looked to my left; this was what I saw:These are hoggetts; one year old... Read more

  Posted on 16 March 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Suckerin’ Succotash

  

  I spent yesterday taking the suckers off of alders and willow.  It’s a job that takes up a great deal of time, but I finally tackled the last of this sucker-fes... Read more

  Posted on 13 March 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Oak Killer

  

  Despite banging on about how much I love oaks, I plan to kill one.The Priory oaks add real structure, permanence and sheer weight to the beauty of the estate. ... Read more

  Posted on 10 March 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Super Evolving Foxgloves

  

  So.  Having burnt my foxgloves (moderate oven, 72 hours), I re-sowed some fresh seed into the same half tray, watered them, popped the tray in a plastic bag... Read more

  Posted on 03 March 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Freeloading Ne’er-do-wells

  

  A third wave of crocuses (Pickwick) are now showing off. A stouter plumper crocus this, befitting it’s name Gosh. What’s that? On that tree? Looks like a well... Read more

  Posted on 01 March 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Beds, Bums* and Borders

  

  When I first saw the gardens at the Priory in the summer of 2008, all of the borders and beds were smothered in nettles, brambles, bindweed and the like.  It wa... Read more

  Posted on 28 February 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• Promises

  

  Yesterday I finally pruned back the dogwoods, down to a few inches above ground level.  This ensures new brightly coloured stems next winter.  And I tackled... Read more

  Posted on 26 February 2011 GARDENING, HOME

• A Particular Auricula

  

  Another dismal and dour and dreary and dank and drizzly day yesterday.  Yet more time in the greenhouse.  I sowed chilli and sweet pepper seeds, cucumber and te... Read more

  Posted on 24 February 2011 GARDENING, HOME