Yirdit – Gardening Scotland, reluctantly

In writing this gardening Scotland website, I wouldn’t claim to be an expert. But in case you, my reader, are an anxious or newbie gardener, then these pages are written to encourage you to get out there in your plot.

Right now, as we gradually degrade our own earth, creepie-crawlies of all sorts are in trouble, even sparrows are struggling, so just about anything you do that involves growing green things will help – just so long as you spurn weedkillers, insecticides and their like. (Oh and avoid plastic grass – often known as shitlawn. )

Don’t be tidy – and break rules gardening Scotland

Don’t be too tidy and be ready to break rules whenever possible – and take time to sit around in your green haven – whatever shape it takes. Hope a blackbird or a hedgehog deals with most slugs – though you could go out on a damp night and spear them with cocktail sticks. (I mean the slugs, obviously.)

• Take cuttings and hope for the best…
• plant everything a fortnight later than the ‘experts’ say…
• don’t buy plants from ANY diy centre – ever…
• Seed-bomb your neighbour’s lock-block if possible. Pansies will do for starters
• Observe which blooms the bees prefer – then plant more next year.

Here are the pages you’ll enjoy if gardening in Scotland…

• A ROSE FOR EVERY GARDEN – in the right place
  There is a rose for every garden. Down in England, they have the rose as a national symbol. In fact, …
• ALPINES – little gems for the garden
  Take to the hills for inspiration! (…and alpines!) Well, any excuse. So the weather looks settled and you have a …
• BERRIES FOR THE GARDEN – glorious autumn colour and bird high-energy snack
  Browsing through your local plant store, looking for some plants to produce berries for the garden, you arrive at the …
• CARDIOCRINUM GIGANTEUM – a Giant Lily reaches for the sky
  The largest lily of all This was year two of growing a giant lily and there was much excitement this summer …
• CONTAINER GARDENING – Attractive pots are great for gardens
  Wait…Is that pot terra cotta or plastic? Container gardening is, obviously, just the thing for folk with patios, balconies, wee …
• DWARF IRISES IN SPRING – early delight and slug breakfast
  In the Garden of early delights… Come the spring, those slugs which have survived the winter by skulking under stones …
• Forsyth’s Plaister – how a wily gardener hoodwinked the government
  The story of Forsyth’s Plaister illustrates that when times are uncertain – whether because of pandemics or our United Kingdom’s …
• GARDEN TASKS you may never get around to!
  It’s a to-do (maybe) list So, as I write this, it’s a lowering autumn day and garden tasks are on …
• GROUND COVER OR JUST A GARDEN HOOLIGAN?
  When it comes to ground cover – some plants just don’t know where to stop. With an expression like ‘ground …
• HORSETAIL – The very worst weed of all?
  I’m nominating horsetail as the worst weed in the garden. Mind you, some of us are troubled by docks, while …
• IVY FOR INSULATION – OR A WALL MENACE?
  In these days of awareness of high energy costs, when it comes to home heating, is ivy for insulation (outside …
• RELIABLE SHRUBS – no-fuss planting and colourful rewards
  Reliable shrubs are those, in my book, that will survive the winder undamaged and not need anything in the way …
• ROBERT FORTUNE – PLANT HUNTING WITH A SHOTGUN
  Picture the scene. Somewhere between the island of Chusan and the China coast in the middle of last century, a Chinese trading junk is being rapidly overhauled by a pirate craft, intent on robbing and sinking the vessel. The pirates sail to within twenty yards of their prey then unleash a broadside.
• THE AUTUMN GARDEN – season of mists and leaves everywhere
  Colour in the garden in the ending year Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, eh, in the autumn garden? Well, …
• THE MYSTIQUE OF MUCK – the best garden fertilizer
  All-Natural is the best fertilizer for the garden I think I know what is the best garden fertilizer. Long ago …
• THE NICEST GARDEN I EVER KNEW
  How thoughtful planting created a real haven The nicest garden I ever knew was in a city quite a long …
• THE ROBIN IN THE GARDEN – always happy to see you
  A Robin in the Garden – it’s cheerful The robin in the garden likes the thick screen that shelters us …
• WALLFLOWER – an unassuming old timer
  Wallflower is rich in folk-lore Before we go all horticultural, let me tell you a story, as an example of …
• WHY DO WE GARDEN – is it a getting in touch with nature thing?
  Some Gardening Observations A few thoughts on why do we garden, with a sprinkling of sanctimony and moralising. (Oh, I’ll …
• WINTER COLOUR – light up the winter gloom
  Best flowering shrubs and plants for winter colour. When it comes to winter colour and winter flowering shrubs in the …
• WOOD PIGEON IN GARDEN – ENEMY IN SIGHT – COVER THE BRASSICAS!
  Scotland’s Worst Garden Pest Do you have a wood pigeon in the garden? How things have changed. Once upon a …
• Yirdit – Gardening in Scotland – enjoy the challenges
  Here are my musings, tips and advice from some decades of reluctant gardening in Scotland. Much of it done quite …