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Plots at their best

Below I am uploading a few photos of student plots from late July, time when they were at their best.

Wildlife in the vegetable garden

It has been a week for wildlife in the vegetable plots. We like to encourage the birds and beasties as much as possible. Gardens are very important habitats…

Red thread on a green carpet

This wet summer has given us lush growth; it has also given ideal climatic conditions for the invasion of Red Thread, Laetisaria fuciformis, a fungal disease of turf…

Light up a dark corner

Hydrangea heteromalla is flowering on the lower edge of the Chinese hillside. The large panicles of brilliant white flowers are setting off the canopy under which it grows….

Summer harvest from the garden, and hedgerow

I’ve been away on holiday for two weeks and was eager to get back to see how the edible garden was looking. I was very pleased to find…

Ground cover potential

Tight growing and compact this Ophiopogon intermedius with its linear grass like foliage is a good ground cover plant with high drought tolerance. Once planted it will take…

Sowing wildflowers in the botanics orchard

Last week we sowed wildflowers round the base of our new orchard. This is a great way of helping to attract pollinators, a vital part of the edible…

Plant Science and Horticulture – Growing Opportunities

A short film made during a visit by Inverkeithing High School biology students to explore career opportunities in plant science and horticulture.

Bracts not petals

Cornus capitata has a wide range through SW China and the Himalayas. This evergreen, or in very cold winters semi evergreen, is found at lower elevations (around 2300m)…

July 2012: A scent of summer

Lavender is one of those easily propagated plants found in many British gardens, though native to the Mediterranean. It has one drawback: as it ages the plant becomes…

A giant out of season daffy

Paramongaia weberbaueri is a tender bulb native to Peru. The genus is in the family Amaryllidaceae as are Daffodils. Growing to one metre plus; the long linear foliage…

Translucent yellow foliage

Large green Hosta’s are often regarded as the cabbages of the ornamental garden; this specimen is more elegant Hosta lancifolia ‘Aurea’ is a delicate coloured cultivar. The leaves…

Summer vegetables in the Edible Gardening Project polytunnel

We’ve cleared the polytunnel of the last of the winter crops. The spinach was running out of steam and several of the plants had started to flower (also…

Edible Edinburgh, Breakfast at the Botanics

Wednesday was a beautiful sunny morning, just perfect for an early morning breakfast at the Botanics. Our Edible Edinburgh event took place as part of the Festival of…

Plot patrons

There are some new arrivals on student plots: Rory finally finished planting out his lettuce-made snail. Jessie and Roslyn brought in a pair of scarecrows. He and she…

Tomorrow is a viva day

Viva is just a day away and my plants are still pretty tiny! My great disappointment – sweet peas. Looking at them I cannot believe they will ever…

Olympic double

The Olympic torch passes through Edinburgh this week. Our own Olympic double has been showing promise thriving in the south border for many a year. Forming a thicket…

Jobs for June in the Edible Garden

We attended Gardening Scotland at the weekend and along with volunteers from the Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society met Jim McColl. As  you can see we were pretty…

Ask a botanist

Adiantum aeluticum, the “Western Maidenhair” is found in a wide distribution range through Western North America. Growing in crevices on steep slopes where shade is available. It is…

Fighting slugs organically

Slugs – one of the most hated pests in garden. Slugs – holes in plant leaves, eaten up seedlings. Slugs – slimy unpleasant surprise. How to get rid…