THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Flooding
Weather warnings, high winds, flooded houses and waterlogged fields. The damage is mounting. (Although high winds and the weight of …
Plant of the Week: Sarcococca
Another winter favourite, Sarcococca is a lovely plant with a lovely name to say. Sar-co-co-cca. Sarcococca. Impress your non-gardening friends by pulling this one out…. and then confusing them by calling it Christmas or Sweet box, its common name. It makes it to Plant of the Week by virtue of its strong perfume, which can make your nose twitch with its bewitching charm. But there are many other qualities to this evergreen shrub. It grows well in lime or acid soil. It tolerates shade. It is a slow grower, so doesn’t need lots of pruning. It doesn’t suffer from pests and diseases …
Seasonal Flowers for Valentine’s Day
Although the ubiquitous rose is the preferred Valentine flower, it does look stupid when you offer them up as a cut flower in a cold, wet and windy February. Because you certainly don’t see them in the garden. (Okay, we have seen two squat pink rose flowers, part unfolded in a sheltered courtyard, wincing as they put their faces to the world… they did not suggest themselves as a gift of eternal devotion to us!) Before the giving of roses, people sent cards or wrote letters dripping with romantic sentiment to each other. Earlier than this Valentine’s day was considered …
3 Gardening Blogs To Read
Here are three gardening blogs worth checking up on: Real Men Sow A blogger who began gardening on an allotment with his mum in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex. The Galloping Gardener A ‘latecomer’ to gardening, blogs on the gardens she likes and takes great photos. Also founded the Raven Charitable Trust, providing medical care for villagers in Rajasthan. Horticultural A journalist and blogger, who also writes for the Guardian and published The Allotment Keeper’s Handbook: A Down-to-Earth Guide to Growing Your Own Food And for a few more great reads, do try these…