THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Plant Trees With Ecosia
This came to our attention about a year ago. But we’ve only just realised we hadn’t told enough people about it!
Ecosia. A search engine that plants trees, every time you use it.
How amazing is that? Helping the planet green up each and every time you search for something. We think it is just as good as Google for most things you need to search for (please don’t send me your search items it couldn’t find. Your private searches are your own.) Plus, it takes you away from giving information (and so more power) to Google. Something some of you may be interested in.
Another search engine that does that is called DuckDuckGo. They are also very good and using them means you are ‘sticking it to the man’.
So if you are not looking for some presents at Modern Mint this year, why not continue your search on the search engine that plants trees? Use Ecosia – for a greener kind of window shopping!
We Also Have Our Own Grove Of Trees You Can Add To – Visit Trees For Life To Help Plant More!
Start of the Whitby Topiary Library
I have been offered a space here in the centre of Whitby, south-facing aspect, with some raised beds in, so that I can make a Topiary Library. In my head, a topiary library is a place to showcase the common (and then not so common) shapes you can make out of topiary. With classical topiary plants, as well as some more unusual pieces. This Topiary Library can act as a reference for people to learn more about pruning and clipping. The space is small but the aspect is great and the beds are deep enough to put some plants in. …
Delivery After Dark – From the Makers of The Amelia Project
Last week I spent most nights stood in cold water streams on the moors of North Yorkshire, helping to film a new project called Delivery After Dark from the makers of the Amelia Project. I worked on the Amelia Project back at the end of 2024, lending my terrible vocal talents to a small part in the episode Didius Julianus. But this project is something new – and exciting! – and thankfully only needed me to be filmed, rather than to actually say anything. But not only did I have to stand in cold moving water at midnight, I also …
Modern Topiary (The Book) – Message From Lady Clippers, And Others!
My topiary book – Modern Topiary – has recently been put out as a PDF, which can be read for free. (Have a look here to download and read/share it!) Then last week I received a lovely email from Ann Perkowski of Lady Clippers, who are topiary and pruning specialists in New York (Ann is a brilliant pruning teacher too, who teaches at New York Botanical Garden… check out her work and Lady Clippers website.) Hi Darren, I had to write you how much I love reading your Modern Topiary. I’m not sure I’ll ever be quite done with it because I’m …