Bedside reader

A really quirky and interesting book came across my doorstep recently. The Gardener's Bedside Reader is American in origin and has now been made available to UK readers. It really is a little gem and contains a collection of stories and essays, wonderful vintage advertisements and illustrations and a whole host of little anecdotes.

One of the chapters talks about the delights of weeding. In it Suzy Bales tells us about the joy she has when getting down on hands and knees to pull out weeds. Reading her chapter certainly changes one's perception of weeds, for she sees weeding as a pleasure giving her time to let her mind drift while at the same time getting close to her plants from ground level!

Well we may not all share Suzy's view of weeding but I can assure you that you will find plenty of interest in this little book. It sort of took me on a nostalgia trip and I really just enjoy flipping through the pages and looking at the pictures and illustrations, some of which I reproduce here so you can see what i mean.

I haven't been weeding but I know I must for it is now the time of year when they are starting to rear their little heads with gusto. I am also aware that it is time to stock in on slug pellets. For years I have used Bio Slug from Phostrogen with good results - Bio Slug won't hurt household pets or children and does not harm other wildlife - I have always found them effective, sometimes you buy cheaper pellets and all that happens is that you get a sludgy mess in your pots, so now I stick to Bio Slug.

The flower show season is coming up fast and I am now in the process of working out the summer routine. Just at the moment I can't wait for April because I know that lots will be happening in the garden. The rose trees are already starting on well so let's hope there are not too many late frosts to pull everything back.