Gardening in a Gale
Day 12: Anticipation I have been watching this flower for over a week now with growing excitement. According to the label it is Narcissus fernandesii grown from seed planted in 2014. Each day I monitored its progress, watching as the perianth elongated and slowly started to open. Yesterday I could see the anthers and the… Continue reading 12 Days of Christmas
Day 10: Gifts from the sea Kelp on Ardivachar Beach If your garden has sandy or clay soil, or you prefer to use organic fertiliser, then the offer of an agricultural trailer full of kelp (about 10 tons) should make you smile like a Cheshire cat. If you are trying seaweed in it's natural state… Continue reading 12 Days of Christmas
Day 8: New Year Dawn Sunrise at the start of a new year, the time when a Hebridean Hogmanay ceilidh is just getting its second wind. This year was different, no music, no dancing, no singing, no first footing and probably fewer sore heads. Although, I suspect a few drams of uisge beatha were consumed… 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 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
