The Frustrated Gardener

2 min read 2021-12-22 01:54:50

A Little Solstice Solace

Perhaps it’s just me, but 2021 has felt like a serious test of our endurance both in general and as gardeners. We started the year in strict

1 min read 2021-11-26 01:51:16

‘A change is as good as a rest’, or so the proverb goes. As one who is ill at ease when relaxing and always on the go, I can only hope this

1 min read 2021-11-22 00:00:00

Chrysanthemums are making a comeback. You heard it here first. How do I know? I’ll tell you; because it’s inevitable. Flowers are like clothing

1 min read 2021-10-24 21:33:42

As the dahlia season draws to a close, it’s time to celebrate those that dazzled during this uniquely cool and wet year. We ended the last growing

1 min read 2021-10-16 00:00:00

It’s mid-October. The nights are drawing in and Halloween is fast approaching. Farmers here in East Kent are already opening their field gates for

1 min read 2021-10-04 01:01:53

When the National Dahlia Collection announced its closure in September 2020 The Beau and I were bereft. This little patch of dahlia heaven was not

1 min read 2021-09-24 00:38:06

I’ve grown a little bored of the Chelsea Flower Show. There, I’ve said it. Once upon a time I used to love the anticipation, researching the show

1 min read 2021-09-13 01:18:17

By mid-September, many summer-flowering annuals have started to burn themselves out. They’ve given their all, and their natural instinct is now to

1 min read 2021-09-01 02:48:55

Whilst tempting to lament the summer that never was, now is the time to be looking ahead and planting your spring-flowering bulbs. The first 2022

1 min read 2021-08-16 01:47:44

Once in a while one’s garden has a ‘moment’, a brief period of time when everything comes together to create a picture-perfect scene and an

1 min read 2021-08-10 01:05:08

I am surprised and embarrassed to note that the last time I wrote on TFG’s blog was back in January. Where have the last 7 months gone? I will

1 min read 2021-07-28 02:48:25

The pots are all planted and in position, their arrangements have been checked from every angle, adjusted and appraised again. Happy with the result,

1 min read 2021-07-03 02:22:04

Work brought me to Edinburgh this week. I could not pay a visit to one of my favourite cities in the world without a visit to ‘The Botanics’, as

1 min read 2021-06-25 17:10:04

The title of of this post is tongue-in-cheek given I’m sat at my desk with rain pattering on the skylight and a brisk draught whipping around my

1 min read 2021-06-02 00:30:00

Anyone who has spent time holidaying in Cornwall will know that the county’s weather can be relied upon to dictate your itinerary from start to