Gardening in a Gale
Day 7: Wild Swans Wild Swans. Morris (1855), British Game Birds and Wildfowl. We are on the cusp of a new year, a time of transition - looking forwards and looking back. This morning, before the sun had risen behind the hills of Uist in the east, I looked out on to a silver path… Continue reading 12 Days of Christmas
Day 6: The Staff of Life Daily Bread According to the traditional song, the sixth day should involve geese. At this time of year there can be anywhere between 6 and 150 or so Greylag Geese loafing around on the croft. We have plenty of grass, so I'm quite happy sharing as they do their… Continue reading 12 Days of Christmas
Day 5: A Plant for all seasons There are some plants which are as tough as old boots, live in dark corners, prefer to be totally pot-bound, appear to exist on little more than fresh air and flower in the winter! This is the perfect plant to give to anyone who professes to kill any… Continue reading 12 Days of Christmas
Day 4: Lichen Log Lichen mosaic This is a very special Yule log, it might be a little on the small size, but it is of great importance. A good supply of logs is an essential part of the croft winter survival kit. Almost every croft house will have a log or peat burning stove,… Continue reading 12 Days of Christmas
Day 3: Sunshine in a jar On dreich and stormy December days, when the hours of daylight are curtailed, sunshine is in short supply. These are the days of the great winter darkness, and a gift that captures the warmth and life-giving rays of the sun is to be treasured. Unfortunately mythical heroes who went… Continue reading 12 Days of Christmas
