MICKEY’S BLOG
In the days before Instagram, Mickey kept a regular blog of snippets from Glenmore House.
You may enjoy looking back through them!
Easter pruning….
Four days of gardening in magical weather has seen many jobs done.....but of course, there are so many more to do! Amongst other things, (sorting compost in prep for our next Kitchen Gardening Day, propagating, planting, moving, deadheading, weeding....), I'm...
Easter wishes….
Last week, amidst the sheer chaos of preparation for the plant fair and a very large garden visit, I had the great joy of having the opportunity once again, to be one of a panel of judges of the District Exhibits at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. I'm so glad that...
Glenmore goes to the fair….
And what a weekend it was! Early Saturday morning saw a frenzy of keen plant hunters seeking out their hearts' desire. As a first-time exhibitor, (and therefore glued to my own space!) it was so much fun watching what marvellous specimens people were cradling in...
Garden illustration postcards…
And so....to the last of my posts for the week, as I prepare for the fair! I am tickled pink with the arrival of Glenmore House Postcards! Taken from glimpses of the watercolour illustration by Catherine O'Neill I have tied them into bundles of 11, including an...
My Essential Dress….
Is finally in stock! In sizes small, medium and large....! It's taken some time and I know many of you have been waiting very patiently. It's still only a small run, made in Sydney, of pure linen; and YES they are longer than my prototype; and I hope one will fit...
My garden hat…
At last! My favourite hat...the one that appears in all those photos Luisa keeps uploading to instagram! The one I wear EVERY day, as I water the garden and carry out my daily chores. It may not be the one I wear for serious gardening jobs (like making compost...
Lovely Trugs…
For several years I've been trying to track down traditionally crafted trugs (that don't have to make their way from the opposite side of the earth!). Some of you will recall I stocked just a very few in the Barn some years ago, when the talented Richard Hare was...
Here come the plant stands…
I have simply longed for years, to have a plant stand! One not too fussy, but robust and handsome. I really wanted it to be 'new', as so many old ones are rickety, wobbly, and not strong enough to hold a burgeoning collection of special plants. So finally, late...
Wicked sticks…
This weekend, I spent some time playing....not 'pooh-sticks', but 'pea-sticks'. With many of my direct-sown peas pushing up through the soil, I can now see clearly where they are (and before their roots get much bigger), its easy to drive some of last year's...
After the rain….
Or should I say STORM! Goodness what a light show and downpour....yet again! Though we've still received nowhere near enough rain to fill the dams. Amongst other things, my morning inspection revealed a split fig or two and a sweet smelling sprig of...
In perfect succession….
Timing is everything in the Kitchen Garden, and it isn't always easy to get right. But just now, things are looking good. 'Cut & come again' leaves are growing quickly from scattered seed (we did this on our kitchen gardening day on 1 March), while the...
Seed time….
Ok....I warn you...some of you may need to put your glasses on for this post! This can be one of the most nerve-wracking times of the season; when the seed has been sown, and all one can do, is wait. Try not to overwater, yet it's been dry & oh so hot, so...
Persimmon madness….
I do promise to stop with the persimmon posts soon....but right now, their presence is intoxicating and I can't escape them...it's persimmon season! As I opened the bedroom curtains on Saturday morning, I was horrified to see the trees alive with....yes, you...
Dazzling dahlias…
Whilst I'm longing to get back to regaling you with all the excitement taking place in the Kitchen Garden....I just could't leave this trail of ornamental posts without dropping in a bright and happy image of the Dahlia, 'Bishop of Llandaff'. Planted right next to...
More ginger delights…..
Around fifteen or so years ago, I went off on something of a ginger tangent... I think it came about as we took to driving down to the south coast more regularly (to go to the beach), and I became obsessed with the great stands of wild ginger that appear in pockets...
Sweet ginger….
The first marvellous specimen of white ginger unfurled its petals on 6 March (just after someone was asking if I had them here at our Kitchen Gardening Day). I would find it near impossible to tell you my favourite floral scent, but white ginger certainly is right...
Season of apples & pears…
I can't pretend to be the greatest fruit-grower in the world. Unlike the figs and persimmons, apples & pears don't arrive in great profusion at Glenmore. And so I take great delight when I discover one or two, and treat them more as one would a flower, rather...
Joy of the season…
First, to my regular followers, I am sorry for being absent for a fortnight. Although I've been frantic here and there's so much happening in the garden, the issue has been an 'IT' one. I haven't been able to upload images, which as you can imagine, has been...
Scenes from a Kitchen Gardening Day…
Leek seed heads in various lifecycle stages hang from the open window as the rain pitter patters on the tin roof above. Still-life to begin the day. There was plenty more 'show & tell' on display to emphasise the moment of seasonal change and the jobs that...
Seasonal crop rotation….
Oh how I LOVE the beginning of a new planting season! All set and ready to go for our first Kitchen Gardening Day of the year...