David Marsden

LATEST ARTICLES ( 161 )

• The Tropical Border – 5th Year

  

  Each year, I hope that the Tropical Border will improve on the one before; that it will produce more flower, more stature, more oomph.And mostly that’s what it... Read more

  Posted on 30 November 2016 GARDENING, HOME

• Strimming A Wasp Nest …

  

  … is foolhardy and best avoided.  (At which point I could end this post, I suppose … but I’ll press on a bit more).Over the summer, I’ve been fascinated by... Read more

  Posted on 18 October 2016 GARDENING, HOME

• An Interview With Green Gardens

  

  I’ve been interviewed by the Green Gardens website about self-employed gardening and my work.  The interview has just been published and you can read it here. Read more

  Posted on 13 October 2016 GARDENING, HOME

• A Garden Tour: The Priory In July

  

  Summer has almost passed me by and, oddly, I haven’t posted any photos of The Priory since the spring. So as a belated companion piece to my recent tour of The... Read more

  Posted on 30 September 2016 GARDENING, HOME

• The Rhine Cycle Route: Mainz to Cologne

  

  In 1979, with my best friend Colin, I cycled from Hook of Holland across the Netherlands and into Germany.  We carried on pedalling to the Rhine near Koblenz an... Read more

  Posted on 28 August 2016 TRAVEL

• Win A Copy Of The ‘RHS Companion to Wildlife Gardening’

  

  The new, updated edition of the ‘RHS Companion to Wildlife Gardening’ is released on 1st September… and I have one copy up for grabs. Read more

  Posted on 18 August 2016 GARDENING, HOME

• A Garden Tour: The Old Forge

  

  I don’t feature The Old Forge very often but not because it isn’t worthy: it’s simply that The Priory is the main star of my blog and a jealous one too. Read more

  Posted on 12 August 2016 GARDENING, HOME

• A Pumpkin In My Compost

  

  I’ve taken an obvious break from blogging recently but I wanted to quickly show you a pumpkin plant because … well, have a look.It’s content, isn’t it? Read more

  Posted on 29 July 2016 GARDENING, HOME

• The Bedraggled Kestrel

  

  Old, dilapidated and long overdue for renovation, The Priory garage and workshop is a magnet to birds seeking a home.Wren helping to clear up aphids, June... Read more

  Posted on 22 June 2016 GARDENING, HOME

• Wildflowers On The South Downs

  

  I’m not terribly fond of petrol mowers at the best of times but when they break-down repeatedly, I think them insufferable.   If only they would listen to reaso... Read more

  Posted on 26 May 2016 GARDENING, HOME

• Birdsong And What To Do About It

  In a previous post, I mentioned how the midday hoot of a tawny owl – and my thwarted attempts to see him – had driven me nuts. Read more

  Posted on 26 May 2016 GARDENING, HOME

• New House, New Garden: Introduction

  

  After a seven month house sale and purchase, we finally moved into our new home in mid January.I shall simply ignore Jim’s suggestion of planting a tall, thin... Read more

  Posted on 19 May 2016 GARDENING, HOME

• Out To Pasture

  

  It’s that time of year again.  I’ve shown the cow’s annual turning out to pasture before (See ‘A Stampede of Cows’) but as it is such a big event in my... Read more

  Posted on 12 May 2016 GARDENING, HOME

• The South Downs Way: Winchester to Eastbourne

  

  Of all England’s long-distance footpaths, I know the South Downs Way best. For twenty years I’ve lived almost within sight of it; walked many stretches countles... Read more

  Posted on 08 May 2016 GARDENING, HOME

• Win A Copy of ‘Gardens of the Italian Lakes’

  

  On 5th May, Frances Lincoln publishes ‘Gardens of the Italian Lakes‘ by Steven Desmond, with photographs by Marianne Majerus. Here’s your chance to win a copy,... Read more

  Posted on 29 April 2016 GARDENING, HOME

• Dungeness

  

  I wanted to go but would I get it?  The woman in Rye got it but her son did not.“He’s arty, like me, so I wanted to take him because I knew he’d love it.  I kne... Read more

  Posted on 17 April 2016 GARDENING, HOME

• A High Wind In Sussex

  

  It is with trepidation that I drive to the Priory after or even, like this morning, during a gale.  Storm Katie caused havoc across Southern England and the... Read more

  Posted on 28 March 2016 GARDENING, HOME

• Margaret’s Farm …

  

  … sits on the skyline above the Priory.  I visit once a week to stock up on eggs, catch up with local gossip, spread local gossip, help out if needed and... Read more

  Posted on 20 March 2016 GARDENING, HOME

• Pollarding And The Zest For Life

  

  Flowers are returning to the Priory … after selfishly leaving me all alone for long dank months.   Still, no hard feelings.There are cautious whispers and... Read more

  Posted on 13 March 2016 GARDENING, HOME

• Win A Copy Of ‘Shakespeare’s Gardens’ By Jackie Bennett

  

  As 2016 is the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, here’s the perfect book to hunker down with (until decent gardening-weather returns). Read more

  Posted on 21 February 2016 GARDENING, HOME