Caithness CWS - Gardening

Welcome To Mike Clark's Gardening With Attitude Column

Mike Clark has set up his own web site
Gardening In A Gale
Gardening articles with the north of Scotland in mind from Mike Clark who lives, gardens and writes in Caithness.

Mike Clark likes to write articles on all things Scottish and all things horticultural, and from time to time dips into the world of humorous fiction. At least, he likes to think itï¿½s humorous. And it is an wee break from his day job as a self-employed gardener.

Mike discovered the joys of horticulture when, as a small child, he overheard a neighbour say sheï¿½d dropped a sixpence in the tattie patch. He has been digging ever since, with the tenacity of a true Scot, hoping one day to find a fiver.

He likes trees, Jack Russells, and 12 year old Glen Ord, but not necessarily in that order. Gifts of any of these can by sent c/o caithness.org, but he would like to point out that the third item is by far the easiest and cheapest to post.

One of the highlights of his life was winning a toilet brush in a raffle. He persevered with it for ages, but heï¿½s back on the paper now . . .

Mike approaches gardening and writing with exactly the same formula. Throw in plenty of manure, and something good will eventually spring up.

You may occasionally see Mike in print, but are more likely to find him at www.britishexpat.com/gardengate.htm

See you there!

Gardening Groups In Caithness

Gardening Links

Radio 4 Gardeners Question Time

Caithness.org Gardening Forum
Exchange ideas, ask questions, tall folk about your north of Scotland gardening experiences.

Organic Gardening Magazine

Save Our Spuds
Old varieties of potato are one of Mike's passions and here he extols the qualities of Highland Burgundy Reds and Shetland Blacks. Why not try some in the garden and add a splash of colour to your dinners next winter.

Tatties With Attitude

Does the most commonly used vegetable in the UK get a second look in your garden.. Mike is well on with his own trials aimed at getting the crop in early and with bags of flavour. Do you just buy "Spuds" or can you remember when tatties had their own taste and texture......................................

Who Ate All The Trees?
So your trees in the north can't take it. Here are some thoughts and solutions from Mike

Still Standing

I did a wee bit of tidying up in the vegetable patch tonight, just before it got dark. The hardy white cabbages look pretty disgusting on the outside ï¿½ all brown and slimy. But peel off the outer leaves, and they are fresh, crisp and succulent...........

Currant Affairs

Whether you grow currants for jam, wine or the birds Mike offers some tips on increasing your stock and getting a good crop.

a gweed new year tae een anï¿½ aï¿½

Reflecting on Hogmanay and a couple of wee jobbies for this time of year.

Gardeners Question Time
Loyal as he is to Caithness.org, we sent Mike - at his own expense - to seek out and interview minor celebrities the world oï¿½er,

Holly Comes Out at Christmas!
The problem we have determining the sexes of our hollies goes way beyond the genus Ilex.........................

Inosculation
Don't worry its not catching.......

Never Under Estimate Number Two's

Forget chemical gardening and you can save money, save the planet and save yourself. Mike gets to grip with what makes plants really happy..............

Garden Contemplations As Winter Sets In

Mike contemplates what you might do at the end of November and muses on a few visits he has made to gardens

Second
It's Never Too Late

First
Lettuce for Everyone & Pruning - It's a Snip