Author Archives: midlifegardener

About midlifegardener

A new house and a new garden. Having spent the past 5 years mainting my father's garden I am now taking on my own gardening project down the road in a new single store dwelling. The Old Man has passed on but he remains in my thoughts as I develop the new patch

One Hot Minute – A Soul to Squeeze

Posted on December 23, 2020 by midlifegardener

“Hey”. It’s Mrs B. We are in the kitchen. She says to me “This is the place I was hoping to prepare dinner”. She has that Desecration Smile (whatever that is) as she looks at what is easily my best … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening Times | 11 Comments

They will not concede

Posted on December 6, 2020 by midlifegardener

October used to be my favourite month, but less so, now. This time around the allure for me of birthday treats and the half term break was overshadowed by the tragedy of last year, and twelve months one, we got … Continue reading →

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The Long Days are Here

Posted on September 19, 2020 by midlifegardener

Yesterday was officially The Long Dog Friday at school. I took our new family member in to meet some of the kind benefactors who helped make his appearance possible. Yes: Mr Long has arrived. ‘Badger’ to his friends, our silver … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening Times | Tagged badger, Dachshund, Dachshunds, Mr Long | Leave a comment

I’m a-peeling

Posted on August 21, 2020 by midlifegardener

I had a dream last night about the “Open Gardens” day in the village. This biennial event was cancelled this year due to lockdown, depriving villagers of the opportunity to take a look at each others’ gardens – outwardly congratulating … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening Times | 2 Comments

Grow, Grow, Grow

Posted on July 21, 2020 by midlifegardener

I was as excited as any other birdwatcher when I read about the Bearded Vulture that has been spotted in the Peak District and Yorkshire. Also known as a Lammergeier, this is only the second time such a bird has … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening Times | Tagged ammi visnaga, bearded vulture, carrots, cavolo nero, cosmos, courgettes, cucumbers, delphinium, flowers, fox & cubs, Jay, kale, lammergeier, Nicotiana, Nigella, obedient plant, peas, roses, runner beans, sugar snaps, tomato, tomatoes, wild flowers | 4 Comments

We Will Grow Them in the Raised Beds…

Posted on June 29, 2020 by midlifegardener

We have moved beyond the longest day of the year, although for anyone in quarantine, or shielding, there have been a lot of “longest days” in the past few months. Not that everyone is exacly paying any heed to what … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening Times | Tagged blueberries, blueberry, cabbage white, courgettes, nasturtium, PPE, strawberries, strawberry, sugar snaps, sweet peas | 2 Comments

Lockdown: Plant Me Out

Posted on June 9, 2020 by midlifegardener

As we move into phase three of Lockdown in the Midlife Garden, restrictions are being gradually lifted as seedlings and young plants are allowed into raised beds and borders. We remain confident that the garden economy will make a recovery … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening Times | Tagged brassica, brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cabbages, kholrabi, lockdown, PPE, purple sprouting, social distancing | Leave a comment

Dug for Victory

Posted on May 27, 2020 by midlifegardener

As lockdown starts to ease up, the Midlife Garden is is offering a new habitat for the residents and, perhaps, those who might have travelled from farther afield (albeit under exceptional circumstances and with strictly legal and reasonable grounds, of … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening Times | Tagged blackbirds, blue tit, frog, frogs, irises, lockdown, newts, pond, pondlife, sparrows, water artisans, water forget me not, waterartisans, woodpecker | 1 Comment

“We are Doing a Terrific Job”

Posted on May 14, 2020 by midlifegardener

When reports of something called “frost” started filtering through, the Midlifegardener took the threat seriously. As this “frost” was being brought from the Arctic, the MLG, suspecting frost would not be welcome in the Midlife Garden, took steps to secure … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening Times | 3 Comments

Spring is Sprung the Grass is Riz…

Posted on April 22, 2020 by midlifegardener

I wonder where dem boidies iz… While the debate continues about how long lockdown needs to be in place and we continue our social distancing, one positive thing that is clear around here is that the seasonal timing of this … Continue reading →

Posted in Gardening Times | Tagged birds, blackbirds, Blackcap, cabbage palm, chiffchaff, cut flowers, seedlings, sparrowhawk, spring, swallows, tits | 2 Comments