Honey fungi, Armillaria, are a group of parasitic fungi. They attack trees, shrubs and woody perennials, and are one of the most destructive fungal diseases in the UK. They are also among some of the biggest living organisms in the world, their underground networks often covering many miles and living for up to a thousand… Continue reading Honey fungus: The tree killer
Year: 2013
Living sculpture: Topiary plants a little less ordinary
Shrubs trained as topiary are at home in any garden. From a cottage setting where intriguing forms nestle casually between flowers and vegetables, to a much grander scheme where repetitive shapes are rigid and regimented, topiary can be both charming and formal. And let’s not forget that when you trim your humble garden hedge, you’re… Continue reading Living sculpture: Topiary plants a little less ordinary
Recipe: Homemade damson vodka
2013 has been a bumper year for damsons. A hot summer, with just enough rain to swell the fruit is best for damsons and results in branches that are groaning under the weight of all that fruit And while you can of course make damson jam, damson cheese, damson chutney and damson sauce, there is nothing… Continue reading Recipe: Homemade damson vodka
Recipe: Chicken sauté Normande
As the sun wanes and the days get shorter, this dish is guaranteed to keep those summer days fresh in your mind (and on your tongue!). And we love it even more because it uses three apple ingredients: Bon appetit! Ingredients (serves 4) To garnish Method Serve with… Friends and sunshine… oh, and a fresh… Continue reading Recipe: Chicken sauté Normande
Choosing and planting potted hedging
Container-grown hedging plants are perfect for planting all year round. Generally speaking, hedging is put in the ground over winter, using young bareroot plants when they are dormant. However, some circumstances call for a more instant, mature hedge – which is where container-grown (or potted) hedging plants play their part. Why choose potted hedging? Among… Continue reading Choosing and planting potted hedging
Recipe: Mussels with leeks and cider
Step aside, moules marinière, here’s a fantastic mussel dish that’s got its heart in the West Country! Far from simply swapping out wine for your favourite cider, this dish brings together mussels, leeks, mustard and smoked pancetta to create a truly inspired seafood main course. Speaking of cider, if you want to plant bareroot apple… Continue reading Recipe: Mussels with leeks and cider
Organic care of roses
Roses, apart from being beautiful are also probably the most loved flower in British gardens – and one of the most useful. Rose petals are commonly harvested for use in cosmetics, dried for pot pourri, or added to jams, syrup or water for flavour. You can also crystallise them for use as cake decorations. Rose… Continue reading Organic care of roses
Recipe: Rhubarb chutney
Early forced varieties of rhubarb are in season – and if you’ve seen any on the farmers’ market, it’s probably Timperley Early. If you can find yourself a bunch or two, this rhubarb chutney recipe expertly combines some outstanding (and possibly surprising!) flavours. Chopped apples, dates, apple cider vinegar, muscovado sugar, onions… and a medley… Continue reading Recipe: Rhubarb chutney
Recipe: duck & blackberry salad
Combining duck with asparagus, quail’s eggs and a rich jus makes this dish a particularly special affair. And blackberries add a certain British flavour to the salad, not only as fresh berries on the plate, but also cooked into the red wine jus. Mouthwatering! Ingredients (serves 2) Method Perfection on a plate! This recipe comes… Continue reading Recipe: duck & blackberry salad
A guide to fruit tree pollination
The science (and sometimes the snake-oil) can run deep when it comes to fruit tree pollination. You could read endless books and research studies on how to optimise your orchard with a diversity of cross-pollinators to achieve a bumper crop. For most growers, it’s actually pretty straightforward to get the right results. This guide should… Continue reading A guide to fruit tree pollination