This is the diary of my horticultural life tending my small garden in the beautiful city of Cambridge, as I aspire to create the idyllic, plantswoman’s ‘retreat from the world’ that exists in my head – and occasionally even makes it from dreams to reality! I got the green-fingered bug twenty years ago, and still have a great enthusiasm for this most engrossing and engaging of pastimes, which I hope to share. Gardening is about having a vision for your plot, and an emotional attachment to your plants, and you don’t need acres to have a wonderful garden – just patience and hard work!
I am a completely organic gardener, and, as I live in one of the driest counties in England, I am attempting to grow only plants that can tough it out through drought conditions. Somehow the fact that your plants have survived without artificial watering gives you a feeling of pride – like seeing your children out in the world, fending for themselves, and was partially inspired by Beth Chatto’s wonderfully written, and pertinent, The Dry Garden, who also famously gardens in East Anglia.
I am aided and abetted by my husband, who does all the truly difficult things like mowing at the allotment, admiring all the work, questioning any mad plans, and sitting drinking tea in the garden.
you are a talented lady with green fingers, and your garden looks well loved – in fact I envy the tender green plants under your care… from your friend Christophe
Thank you for visiting the site Christophe – glad you approve of this blog at least!
Ursula
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lovely pics here ursula and your style of writing makes it a delight to read i hope this constant rain is not having a damaging effect on the garden
great pics here ursula and your style of writing makes it a delight to read. i hope this constant rain is not having a damaging effect on your garden
Hi there Jim! Thanks for visiting the site – I’m glad to have your photographer’s eye approval! Well the rain is certainly a challenge – especially as it is usually dry as a bone here! I promise I’ll be having a day next week having a proper read of all my commenter’s websites at long last – it’s all a bit hectic at the moment dominated by my children’s end of term things. Love Ursula
What beautiful gardens!
Thank you so much for reading! Happy gardening.
i am inspired by your beautiful garden…i wish i was as talented. love dobbo
Hi there Dobbo – thank you so much for commenting – it’s very much appreciated! You’re very kind – I think the green-fingered bug sort of grows on you, if you forgive the double pun, and suddenly you can’t live without your precious plants! I don’t know about talent, but its very enjoyable hard work that never feels like work to me. Anyway, watch this space for more – Love Ursula
Promised your dad a long time back that I’d look at your site, Ursula. He thought you might like a comment from your old maths teacher! Sorry for the long delay but have finally had a look and enjoyed the experience, even though I’m not a knowleable gardener. Congratulations!
Hi there David, what a surprise and thank you so much for reading! Yes, indeed I remember your maths lessons very well and, although I have turned out to be hopeless as maths, your lesson on Zeno’s paradox has always stayed firmly fixed in my mind! It’s a whole new fun universe of the gardening blog-sphere, but I’m getting used to it. Great to hear from you and very best wishes, Ursula
As I have already told your dad, I plead old age for pressing post before checking and leaving an ‘interesting’ spelling of knowledgeable uncorrected! Very flattered that you remember Zeno’s Paradox. I used to use lessons like that to show that carefully following a mathematical argument can be entertaining and fun. Amazing you should remember after what must be around forty years. Best wishes, David
Whoops! Old age again! Around thirty years not forty, but still pretty amazing that you remember!