THE MODERN MINT BLOG
This piece in the Guardian got me thinking a lot – it shows how an orchestra, a country and a town in Devon have been putting the cost of their carbon footprint at the head of their priority list.
Read the article – Carbon Cutters.
Gardening is not above this. From refraining from using peat compost to moving to a decent pair of shears, you can easily reduce your carbon footprint. Perhaps you could even make your own compost, so as to enhance life in your garden all the way down the food chain? (For more on that, you can book my talk ‘A Very British Garden’.)
We have done a few posts on reducing your carbon footprint, but the best thing you can do after starting a compost heap is use a green energy supplier (maybe not the best, but definitely the simplest!)
We use Bulb. They are 100% green, renewable energy. If you sign up, we both get cash bonuses. Take a look and make this simple change today.
Join Bulb & Reduce Your Carbon Footprint.
Topiary, The Art Garden at The Henderson
The Art Garden at The Henderson in Hong-Kong has now opened to the public. I joined the project last March, to work with Gillespies Landscape Architects on the topiary that had been designed for the Art Garden, which gives a calm, green space below the extraordinary Henderson skyscraper designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. The garden has been designed with butterflies in mind, so lots of nectar plants, and has other art projects and installations within its footprint. The history of the site is interesting too – it was originally the first cricket ground in Hong-Kong! So still a green space….! …
ClipFest 2025
On Sunday June 22nd there will be Clipfest 2025 at Ichi-Coo Park in Surrey. It is a celebration of all things pruning and topiary, and I will be there in my capacity of teacher at the European Boxwood and Topiary Society to demonstrate tool cleaning and sharpening, and how to clip. Tickets can be found here on Eventbrite. We are hoping for great weather and to see lots of keen pruners getting their shears out and joining us at this amazing garden! And for more on topiary…
Secateur Holders
A present arrived from Norway today, from a student who visited last February to work with Chris Poole and I on learning topiary. His new hobby – a beautiful and neatly stitched secateur holder. Thrilled with this! The holder will save me keep losing my secatuers too…! Thank you Bernt! It was the same student who introduced me to the APA with whom I am doing a talk at the end of March. Tickets can be bought here for ‘Defining The Essence – Aesthetic Pruning in the Garden’. Do join the European Boxwood and Topiary Society for that!