Author Archives: midlifegardener

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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

Fresh Produce

Posted on August 14, 2012 by midlifegardener

We are at the time of the year when I remember my parents would begin to repeat the mantra about fresh produce in the garden.  “The beans are ready for picking”, “plenty of courgettes” or “please help yourself to lettuces … Continue reading →

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Process or Results

Posted on August 2, 2012 by midlifegardener

“A dreaded Sunny Day, So let’s go where we’re happy…Keats and Yeats are on your side”. So sang Morrissey with The Smiths. I like the line (as I like the Smiths) but I have had to carefully edit the Smiths … Continue reading →

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We should label things

Posted on July 27, 2012 by midlifegardener

Peter Cook and Dudley Moore had – as their alter egos Derek and Clive – an expletive-laden conversation regarding the lack of labelling on important household items (such as motorbikes and sunglasses – getting them mixed up can be awkward, … Continue reading →

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Don’t Say What You See

Posted on July 17, 2012 by midlifegardener

Prince Charles has been ridiculed in the past for his admission that he talks to his plants to encourage growth.  Looking over my desolated veg patch this week, if HRH had had a look he could have been forgiven for … Continue reading →

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Blighted

Posted on July 14, 2012 by midlifegardener

My depiction of war in the garden and use of historical references – such as the clearances –  sprang to mind on Wednesday as I walked down the garden to see two thirds of the potatoes had been struck down … Continue reading →

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Garden Clearances Continue

Posted on July 4, 2012 by midlifegardener

After our last report, we are sorry to report that further damage has been sustained to the veg patch.  Well – mainly to the Old Man’s patch.  We noticed that most of our brussels, broccoli and purple sprouting had taken … Continue reading →

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Fighting Spreads Across Gardening Fronts

Posted on June 22, 2012 by midlifegardener

The large elder lies in a tangle of branches, wilting leaves and splintered trunk, alongside the dishevelled box hedge.  The young tree had apparently been growing though the hedge, which had lost much of its shape as a result.  There have been … Continue reading →

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Beans and Bugs

Posted on June 12, 2012 by midlifegardener

The recent dry weather well and truly broke last week. The fact that it was half term holiday (and the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations) only added to the air of despondency at the inclement weather.  The wind was threatening to knock … Continue reading →

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Ginger Boys – the Vandals of Sleepy Wallow

Posted on June 4, 2012 by midlifegardener

I came home yesterday afternoon to discover that Gilbert and George had been naughty. Their water trough (well more of a basin) had been wrenched off the post on which it had been secured for a couple of years now, … Continue reading →

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Eating Out of House and Home

Posted on May 30, 2012 by midlifegardener

The sun continues to shine unabated and the salad in the greenhouse grows an inch a day.  So we are now into full-blown eat it or beat it mode.  The different leaves are lovely to look at, and make a … Continue reading →

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