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Back To Eden Allotment - First Summer....

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 15:55:01 GMT

Slow Progress - Could Be Better!

It is summer in my 'Back To Eden' Allotment. I hadn't realised when I set out on this journey that it would be such a walk of faith. I find that I am so inclined to want to see an instant return for my effort, to be seen to be successful. Objectively, the back to eden method has not shown instant results. The above image is a stock image of someone else's successful tomato harvest purely used to keep my hopes up.

In the first few months of the season I put in quite a bit of effort with seed sowing and had little return. Either the seeds sprouted and died. Or they got eaten by slugs. Onion sets sprouted nicely to begin with, and then shriveled up and died.

I watch my more experienced allotmenteers with no-dig Charles Dowding plots reaping an abundant harvest - and it has been difficult to keep a smile with my unorthadox method. I constantly find myself reassuring others, and myself mostly, that this will get better. Hoping and praying for better returns as the woodchip begins to break down to form more fertile compost. Feeling pretty inadequate and self conscious knowing that my failures are on public display for all to see. While all the time the allotment police look on with a wary eye at my meager efforts.

But there have been some signs of hope to keep me going..... When it was evident that my seed sowing was failing - my next door neighbours rather kindly donated 4 plants some of which are now doing ok. This is still pretty sparse over the space but better than nothing. One courgette couldn't cope and gave up the ghost. A cucumber is becoming more happy, and just gave me my first cucumber. And a crown prince squash has found the earth and is beginning to romp away. All started off anemic yellow and stayed that way, between life and death for maybe 2 months. They are now greening up nicely. Also had some donated tomato plants. So these small wins are bouying me up.

My first cucumber, I felt like a child discovering a new toy. However small and humble the beginnings. Jesus asked for child like faith to believe and I have certainly needed it. I think learning anything new requires us to get in touch with our inner child, to support him or her in the up and down journey of discovery.

Another good success has been the blueberries. They have really enjoyed themselves giving me quite a few berries, considering this is the first year of planting. And the birds haven't touched them.

The apple trees are happy. The grape vine wants to take over the world and with no support it is having a lovely time.

Three of the four decapitated trees (not me) are springing back to life. So the pear is going bonkers with suckers - more like a pear hedge. One of the plums is doing well and the other is looking a bit sick and browning. I have a design to turn it into a bird table if it decides it can't go on. The apple tree that was taken off at the ground, is sending out suckers. So all that is an interesting experiment. It seems fruit trees can be brutally trimmed and they will happily come back.

Over time there has been a certain amount of weeding. The site has a problem with bind weed. so I will keep pulling this out and hope it goes away eventually. A few brambles popping up here and there. Otherwise it has been extremely manageable. I have kept a tidy edge to the plot keeping the grass from coming in and that will be a necessary regular ongoing job.

The shed rather happily blew away in the spring storms. So that is one less thing to worry about.

And in other news there is rather a lot of badger activity to contend with and they predictably love digging holes in the mulch to find worms.

Anyway, that is the update. Hard going, trying hard, failing a lot, but a few crumbs of hope to keep me going and a good dose of faith is needed. I still believe back to eden will work and I will have an abundant harvest the likes of which is the stuff of allotment folklore. Plus I have convinced one or two others that this may work in theory! I will be patient and trust the process.......

Thanks for following along with me on my back to eden journey.

Sage X

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At kingdom plants, I am learning all the time, eight years trading and I am now learning the fine art of veg growing. There is a whole world to learn about with gardening. I try to keep an open mind about new and old methods, selecting those I think will work for you.

If you would like me to come and work on your garden - call me in. I will be happy to meet you and help you.

New Year - New Allotment!

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 19:25:09 GMT

Going 'Back To Eden' with a new allotment

I have been following the 'Back To Eden Method' for several years.

In the Autumn of 2024 - I took on a half allotment in Stoke Hill, Exeter. My plan was to experiment with the new method on this blank slate site.

The allotment was very overgrown, it was evident that the site had not been worked for the last couple of years. So initially I removed weeds and cleared the site by strimming and then digging out the invasive grasses and some of the bigger weeds. There was quite a bit of concrete and wood etc hidden in the grass. I also needed to remove a lot of landscape fabric which was very well hidden under the soil and grass.

The fruit trees have been heavily pruned (butchered) - so it will be interesting to see if they bounce back from this and if they ever go on to be fruitful again - I hope so! A couple of them had multiple suckers which needed removing before applying the mulch.

I chose an allotment which had good access - because I needed to cover it with woodchips. I found two tree surgeons who could deliver woodchip to my site.

I then got hold of enough cardboard over time to cover the ground intially and on top of that I put a 6 to 8 inch layer of woodchip all over the allotment site.

It took roughly 2 months to get enough loads of woodchip to cover the whole site.

The back to eden method is not a quick fix solution and to get the full benefit the organic matter needs time to start to decompose. For optimal use of woodchips this can take 1 to 2 years according to weather conditions. The perennial weeds will likely make their way through the covering - and will need to be removed in the first year and possibly second year. There was what I thought could be bindweed and certainly couch grass on the allotment. Bindweed can take a couple of seasons to remove (According to Charles Dowding) and couch grass will need to be removed as it arises for the first year or two. I am hoping that I will find a way to control couch grass because this is a bit of an unknown quantity with the back to eden method.

So far I have planted fruit bushes round the outside. Blueberries, blackcurrents, redcurrents, whitecurrents, gooseberries, raspberries and rhubarb. In this coming season - 2025 - I plan to start to experiment with growing vegetables. In the first year it will be harder - because the woodchip needs some time initially to begin to break down and form good topsoil.

I will give an update in future to tell you how this method has performed - the successes and failures!

Thanks for following along on my back to eden allotment growing experiment!

Happy Gardening - And a very happy new year!

Sage. xx

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At Kingdom Plants I have a keen interest in old and new methods of gardening. I have found that some of the new methods can challenge the accepted wisdom that every gardener takes for granted. It is good to unlearn and relearn from time to time.

Where appropriate I try to incorporate what works best for your individual garden. If you need some help this coming season - call me in for a free garden consultation.

Back To Eden - Gardening Method

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 18:25:01 GMT

Keeping the soil covered with woodchip for fruit & veg growing

The back to eden method of gardening - was a gardening movement started by Paul Gautschi in Washington, USA in the 1980's and became popular through a utube documentary in 2010.

His method goes back to Ruth Stout and her deep hay and straw mulches in the 1940's. And other early no-dig pioneers.

Back to eden is a no-dig method in the same camp as Charles Dowding in the Uk - but perhaps goes one step further than him in the use of a surface mulch.

The idea is to cover the ground. That nature as seen in the forest keeps the ground covered with branches, twigs, needles and leaves. Trees look after themselves in this self sustaining way. They feed themselves through the decomposition of organic matter. Suppressing weeds and keeping their roots moist.

Paul Gautschi observed nature and started covering the ground with manure and straw and finally woodchips. Starting in his orchard in the 1980's and then his veg garden in 2000 and beyond. His findings have the potential to further revolutionise the no-dig formula.

By using a thick 4-6 inch covering layer of woodchips he found a great improvement in the composition of his soil. His soil was a hardpan of clay and rock soil. After several years of woodchip he then had a rich topsoil with 1000's of worms working to break up his hardpan soil. This topsoil was moisture retentive and needed little to no watering. The woodchip kept water in drought and displaced it during wet weather.

He found this environment good for growing fruit trees and fruit bushes and eventually very good for growing veg.

The covering would keep the weeds down - it still needed weeding - but dramatically lower. The need to water became minimal with the chips retaining moisture. The woodchips give a constant supply of nutrients and fertiliser to the plants via the action of rain making compost tea for the soil below.

The PH balance of the soil comes closer to 7 (neutral) which Gautschi found suitable for all his plants.

The chips were easy to work in all seasons - not becoming muddy and unworkable.

Paul has found his veg garden to grow in a very healthy way. Arguing that in being organic and making plant health the no.1 priority rather than treating symptoms with fertiliser and other amendments.

A plant that is in good health can more easily resist attack by slugs and other pests. His view of garden pests is enlightening too. Calling them natures police force. He sais pests are designed to take out sick and poor plants, so that only the fittest go on to produce seed. Veg and fruit that is full of water and less woody, are, he argues less appetising to pests and more likely to go on to produce seed.

Paul and others that visit his garden have found the veg and fruit produced to be superior to commercial organic standards. It is tastier and sweeter and more tender. Full of water and full of nutrients from the woodchips etc. Far superior to traditionally grown fruit and veg.

I plan to test out this method in my own experimental allotment. To see if the claims are true and if they stand up in the UK climate. I will post updates on the progress as I go along........

Happy Gardening.

Sage.

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At Kingdom Plants - I try to keep up with new developments in the gardening world tailoring my approach to your unique garden. If you have a garden that needs attention - feel free to call me in.

Happy New Year and happy gardening this coming season.

Poem - Scattered Seeds...A Message For My Boys

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 14:29:31 GMT

Poetry Book >> Gardening In The Heart

Scattered Seeds . . . . A Message For My Boys

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Dad’s Message:

Take my scattering seeds, of love, life and laughter,

Skip happily away, taking ourselves lightly,

As torches, touches of kindness and love,

Cups of goodness and joy, overflow, mingling the mix,

That makes life rich.

Tapestries - know no weaver,

But his shutters flow to and fro,

And at a stroke a thousand threads are wed,

And the head which the heart takes apart,

Knows no bounds and no hedge,

Can hem us in - indeed there is no hedge.

Trust him, love him, honour him, know him,

Give him charge.

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Sons - Daniel & Robert - Your Legacy:

My scattered seeds - do take hold,

In their bold bright ways - they depart,

To find a new soil, brave new worlds.

And one seed or two - carries my hope, far,

Two happy tree’s, held in their generation,

Making my joy complete.

You my sons - will take the torch,

And light the frown ablaze,

Knowing the seed I found remains,

Jesus, amazing with brave hope and joy,

And love surrounds us to this day.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Boys - I will love you - till the cows come home,

And when you wake early,

Know - that I awoke before dawn, before you,

I listened to the Robins - mine - and yours,

And they spoke - of yours and my good future,

That you would be fine - as am I,

As was my dad - your dad before you,

The seed, was sown, and the soil was good,

We had our day, and so will you,

Know that days never end - where we go,

The light never dims - and the Robin,

And me, this fair breasted friend, reminds me of you,

And you of I. Our love my boys -

Will never die. XXXXXXXX

The Queen & Her Royal Neighbourhood!

Sun, 25 Sep 2022 07:23:50 GMT

Touching the lives of millions.....and what a life!

I live in a royal neighbourhood. Many of the streets in our local area are named after members of the royal family. Elizabeth Avenue, Philip Road, Anne Close, Prince Charles Road, and my road - Margaret Road!

Before she became Queen the princess toured Devon and Cornwall for the first time in October 1949. She came to Exeter to mark the start of the Rebuilding of Exeter after the second world war. The above picture was taken of her in Stoke Hill - I assume it was Elizabeth Avenue - opening our housing estate. It was said that the houses that were built initially - were built to a higher standard - because she would be inspecting. She did go into one of the occupied houses on Elizabeth Avenue - so I am told by one of my neighbours. She also opened Toronto House - a house which was initially used to house retired servicemen.

The Queen has touched the lives of many people - the visit to our area being a boost to morale. And her influence has lay beneath our culture as a country and runs through it like a stick of rock.

So - she has gone on - and as a mark of her passing - rainbows could be seen around Balmoral. I think God would say to her - Well Done! Her life was an example to us all.

Stopping and pausing to think about the late Queen. I would like to bring out 5 key aspects which I think marked out her life >>>>

FAITHFULNESS

The Queen had no retirement - her role meant unceasing service to her country. She quietly got on with the demanding business of being Queen right up until her death. She welcomed in the new prime minister - Liz Truss - days before she passed away. Her life was a life of privilege, but it came at a high cost - in terms of her responsibilities and the cost in terms of countless public engagements.

FAITH LIFE

The Queen had a quiet resilience - her faith in Jesus sustained her and underpinned her life. Jesus example helped make her who she was. Whatever views you have about religion - she was true to hers. She gave us a small glimpse each Christmas day message - and never forgetting the real meaning of Christmas.

FRUITFUL

The Queen touched the lives of countless people. The reason she was so dearly held in the mourning of this country - was that everyone had a personal story to tell of how the queen had touched their life - or the life of a friend or relative. Her influence was dispersed widely. I think there will be fruit that comes after her death. Even in the young lives of her own family - as an example to live up to and follow.

FUN-FILLED

It seems the Queen had a wicked sense of humour. She had a twinkle in her eye with people at times. We need that in life - to remember not to take ourselves so seriously. The work of being a Queen must have been boring at times. But a common theme pulled out by the people that knew her - was that she had a good sense of humour.

FRIENDLY

The Queen took an interest in others lives. We all want to know that we are the centre of attention. I think the Queen made you feel that you were important and she took the time for Prime Ministers and common people alike. She would stop and talk. Perhaps it was just small talk. But in her way she showed an interest. I expect she would have made a very loyal friend.

And so we mourn her passing and we look on to King Charles - it is an exciting time of change. I look forward to seeing how he brings his own personality to bear on the role of being King. Once all the pomp and ceremony has passed - it will be interesting to see if he can hold the public support and loyalty in the way the Queen did. She will be missed - an example of a dying breed. The types of person we dearly need now.

Thank you Queen - God Save The King!!

Sage.

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Why not give your garden the 'Kings Treatment' this coming year. Call me in to tame your out of order borders. To bring some tranquility to your own little corner of the world. I will be happy to help you achieve the look and feel that you want in your garden. Also a big thank you to my loyal customers who are helping me every day become a better gardener.

Poem - Pressed Flowers

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 06:28:20 GMT

Poetry Book >> Gardening In The Heart

PRESSED FLOWERS

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Sometime - ages ago, in your wildflower meadow,

A lovers hopeful flowers, kept pressed - to show,

Your pages, your hours, clasped tween rings of rhyme,

Holding old dead time - left behind,

A message, a blessing - missed kisses, slipped years and hours,

Flowers - soft downy and mellow, a meadow - faded and yellow,

Such a long long time ago.

Poem - Gardening In The Heart

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 16:13:34 GMT

Poetry Book >> Gardening In The Heart

Gardening In The Heart

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Lord - go gardening in my heart,

Unearth, my hidden treasure,

My lost art, measure out,

The part, that I kept hidden,

For fear the light might, find me out,

Might find me wanting.

Garden, in my unlovely heart,

Unearth, the gems, the guilty pleasures,

And bring out my gold,

The untold, unknown, bold child,

Him that got lost,

And wound up, with so much more,

A fulsome store.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

God, fashion, me a place,

In your forever. Assure me of,

Grace and favour, that out of harms way,

We could come out spotless,

And free.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

In the silence, where you remain,

And words and wonders are displayed,

And the garden of my heart,

Yields blooms, to testify of you,

My tended, nurtured, made whole heart,

And the soulful soil, is tilled,

Sifted and mended.

Seeds planted, and coaxed to life,

Bright seeds of ideas and actions,

And words, blended,

Motions, that have their places,

And times and seasons.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

God gives life and takes it,

Where the weeds must die,

And the fruit tree - makes it.

He will have his way.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

Someone asks - why and wherefore,

God says why not, and why care,

Trust is love - for the one,

The gardener - knows the way, and the why,

His seasons, are reasons to rejoice,

Without rain what good is the sun,

And who knows fun, without knowing pain,

But he paid the price,

And we walk in benefit,

The you and the me, we,

Who lived and loved, made able,

Have lives that he set free.

Poem - The Shy Horses - Ploughing

Sun, 01 May 2022 06:20:08 GMT

Poetry Book >> Gardening In The Heart

The Shy Horses - Ploughing

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Lead me out, take me out - to pastures new,

Gardening in the heart - opening the true way,

That I may walk, a gentle horse,

Tamed with the wind, in veins, reins,

That cannot hold me down,

A crown of life - found,

Hedged in around by the word,

His word, the Masters word - just one call,

My name - the sage, a rock of ages,

An open book, pages and pages and pages,

Unread, unknown, alone, overblown, outgrown.

In the field, gentle, knowing,

Two shy horses, nudging, nuzzle alone,

Seeking a lost way, out through the woods,

On grassy leaves, to our clearing,

Where you spoke, and made us known,

Overblown, outgrown, alone,

My Master comes gentle, slowing down,

A gentle sifting word, tames,

And the rain, skins in the game,

In the rain.

God I want to run - full pelt,

To feel the wind again, jumping fences,

To fly, to charge, to rent the spirit,

Moving through - taking you.

Gardening in my heart, my gentle heart,

To start to clear the ground,

Clear a view, Jesus plant me up anew,

Take my gardeners heart,

Work the soil, nourish and raise the day,

My day, a grove, a secret garden,

Hedged and walled around, to keep out,

And walk together, two gentle horses,

Yoked - ploughing up the border,

Straining against the will, the mill,

And working, working, working,

Renewing, building a home in me,

Taking your place, The Shires, strong and true,

We know, we hear, we obey - you,

Strength harnessed, ploughing up the ground.

Your doing something new,

We look back, down towards to see,

Who we are in you, the you in I, we, us.

And you prune our growth,

Shaping, moulding, making, moving, our way,

The gardener makes a way in the heart,

Trust him, know him, ask him, to increase your trust!

We can go far, my friend, that far again......

Tame the wild horses, madness, in the brain,

Gain a full heart, treasures, pleasures,

Untold victories and triumphs,

We make our way, learning and unlearning.

No hate, pride, arrogance, entrapments made,

To learn and unlearn time and again,

Is on our side, a wide broad road we travel,

And the walker nosing the way - asks>>

Where is the road??????

A) Walker there is no road,

Forget the road, the car and its contents,

Come with me and step in step,

More than the sum of our parts,

Or numbers, or games we play, to stay safe.....

Loving life is the game, love is my name,

My way, my day, let go and let me be.

Christ is in you, his glory is hope,

Hope and glory his story,

And ours we pray.

All of life on benefits,

Factoring in his nature, his ways, he pays,

Always, and never delays,

Always on time, rhymes to take with you,

Saying - never forget me, I hold you,

When you cant stand, I am the hand,

That you hold, the band of gold,

I am the mist, the trees, the dark, the light,

I am the way, the hope, the dream, the need.

Trust is love in new clothes,

Robes that fit - a king, and I,

Kings in a kingdom of light, bright,

Making ourselves, and welcoming our homing.

Staying on our own side,

And wearing clothes that suit,

Woven from dreams in heaven.

Trust is a wild horse, tamed with the wind,

Free to roam, free to fly home.

And we scattering seeds, of love, life and laughter,

Skip happily away, taking ourselves lightly,

As torches, touches of kindness and love,

Cups of goodness and joy, overflow, mingling the mix,

That makes life rich.

Tapestries - know no weaver,

But his shutters flow to and fro,

And at a stroke a thousand threads are wed,

And the head which the heart takes apart,

Knows no bounds and no hedge,

Can hem us in - indeed there is no hedge.

Trust him, love him, honour him, know him,

Give him charge.

The Gardeners Prayer

Sun, 01 May 2022 04:31:09 GMT

A prayer from a gardener who gardens in the heart

Lord, let me be a gardener in your garden. Lord - teach me. Lord, help me - know you.

Lord, that I would be a wise old gardener. At the back of the border. Tending the soil, with watchful patience. And gently learning a lesson. Another well won lesson.

Lord, give me peace. Help me to know the peace of the garden.

Lord, garden in my heart. Lord, root out the weeds, the unlovely weeds. Work my soil - the soil of my heart.

Help me to love - the unlovely. The hateful, the unforgiven, the lost, the spiteful, the unlovely, the unkempt.

Lord, take the unkempt, neglected corners. The corners where nature resides. Help tidy. Find an edge and make the hedge again.

God enlarge my heart - to the size of the garden. Your garden.

Thank you. And Amen.

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And there in your garden - we can walk together. And I wont need to hide and seek. You will be there in my gardeners heart.

We can find an old, neglected, very old apple tree - blossoming in spring. Wisdom, age, decay, life, love, laughter, joy, youth - make the tree come alive again. Give the tree another season in your garden. Raise another fruitful crop. To feed the little ones with apple pie. And scrump another apple.

I work the garden. And the gardener - the garden works me.

Finding a forgotten garden. That needs a gardener. Who's owner is old, she's lost her husband, the light of her life. A neighborhood of widows - who's gardens need discovering. Tending and loving.

Enlarge my heart to love - the forgotten, the unkempt, brambles and weeds and overgrown borders. The stuff of my life.

Let me be a gardener - gardening in the heart.

And while I am in the heart of the garden. You garden in my heart. And we can gently garden in other hearts. Every unsuspecting, unloved and undiscovered heart.

Slow Living

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 13:09:00 GMT

Plant & Nurture A Tree

One of the best ways to think about slow living - is to plant a tree. Then to participate in the growing and nurturing of that tree, season to season.

What is Slow Living? Is it laziness to live a slow living life?

I think modern life and making a living - paying the bills - can shift our timescales and ourselves towards a more frantic short term mentality. Without realising it - we can become someone who needs everything yesterday, who does not have time to wait. Who requires an answer now. I believe that nature and the seasons do not work to those timescales and that we can learn some valuable lessons from the natural world.

Slow living - rather than being in reaction mode - requires a measure of patience a yielding to and going with the seasons and what they bring.

Nurturing a bonsai for example or an apple tree - requires us to steward something and then perhaps hand it on to future generations. Under those timescales - we may not have time to see the full bounty that the apple tree eventually gives - we are not allowed to see that. Maybe by seeing our own lives from a generational perspective we can begin to build on a long term scale. Lift our eyes to a long term outcome.

Slow living is taking a breath - asking ourselves is this important in the grand scale.

Here are a few suggestions to begin to foster a slow living mentality:

1) Read a book for pleasure, perhaps to learn something new. Treat yourself to that time for yourself.

2) Take a walk in nature and listen to the sounds around you. Take the time to look and see. Maybe visit a church and sit for a while or walk around the church gardens noticing what has been planted there.

3) Prioritise looking after some of the small things. Work your garden - just for pleasure - just for the act of creation, without a monetary outcome. Make a cup of tea mindfully and invest yourself in the process. A simple act done without racing on to the next thing.

4) Do something kind - that requires an investment of your time. For example make a loaf of bread - and give it to a friend. Anything perhaps that you enjoy, that takes time and effort to produce. I like to give a plant to a friend - it captures and gives some of the love taken to nurture it.

5) Put your phone away - maybe in your bedroom for the day, and spend the day apart from constant, instant accessibility.

6) Make an appointment to see a family member or a friend. Give them your time and take time to listen to whats going on in their life.

Slow living - is counter intuitive. It can seem decadent and selfish, to look after ourselves and to slow our pace. I would say that left to itself, modern life will push us to an unsustainable tempo. We need to be constantly making a living or doing something productive.

Coming out of the winter season for me is a time of waiting and watching. I feel an inner sense of agitation to be doing something 'productive'. But I must realise that life has a rhythm and a tempo and that it is unwise not to heed those seasons. Seasons that are not set by me.

Till next time - happy gardening.

With much love,

Sage. Xx

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Spring is here. And the garden will dry up, eventually the rain will stop! Our gardens and plants will get into growing again soon. If you would like my help in your garden this coming season - feel free to call me in. We can work with your own unique plot, with whats there and to bring incremental changes and improvements over time.

How To Garden >>> Gardening & Mental Health

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 16:33:22 GMT

Physical, Mental, Emotional & Spiritual - maintaining a healthy balance

Gardening promotes well-being - physical, mental, emotional & spiritual.

A good life is one that has a balance of those four elements and gardening can help provide that balance.

1) Physical >>> By digging a garden - our brains take a rest. The body needs a good work out and gardening provides a life long pursuit. Good robust physical health is a big factor in good mental health. When the body works hard during the day - this promotes better sleep - which in turn helps keep us more stable emotionally.

2) Mental >>> In the act of not focusing on our mental process and problems and by engaging with the garden our minds can focus on the present and doing something positive. Over time this can lift the mind out of negative patterns. The mind is allowed time to just be. Shifting the focus onto our current task allows the brain to take a break, a chance to still the barrage of thoughts that our brains are constantly processing. After a while of work the brain can reach rest - while the body keeps active. A zen like stillness in the course of simple activity.

3) Emotional >>> The garden brings us into contact with others. Neighbours, friends and relatives. A garden or plant that is shared with loved ones is a great positive emotional boost.

While working in and on the garden - feelings of boredom, freedom, happiness and sadness can bubble to the surface and be given time and space.

In the process of creating and working in a garden our own self esteem is raised - there is a tangible result for our labour and a job well done is good for our emotional well-being.

4) Spiritual >>> Being in touch with the soil - is a spiritual experience. It is grounding and can bring us back to a simpler more honest way of life. It can leave the mind quiet - and able to rest. In times of stillness like that we are able to hear more of the inner side of ourselves. To allow God to speak - comfort, ideas & inspiration. I have often found a deeper part of myself able to speak while gardening. Good ideas about loving myself or others well. Or just being able to reach something more vast than myself.

The job of gardening is a constant process that mirrors a type of spiritual inner work - an inner garden. Things like nurturing plants, raising seeds, weeding and planning a garden - are mirrored in a parallel type of inner work. So for example a biblical law like - the law of sowing and reaping can be applied to any kind of intangible realm like love. By sowing love. We have a greater chance of experiencing love. This applies to other intangibles - like joy and kindness. We can also find it useful to work on not sowing weeds into our inner garden. Promoting weeds like bitterness, envy and hate - will lead to more weed seeds - so in that sense we are responsible for our harvest.

Going deeper in the garden can offer a real transformational process on the four main levels of our being. In a very real sense - gardening is holistically good for us!

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog. This is the end of a 12 part blog series - on 'How To Garden'. Feel free to read the others in the series by following the links on this blog page.

I hope you enjoy your garden this season - that you have time to be still, to be happy and take it all in.

Love Sage. X

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Personally - moving from a cerebral office life to a gardening centered life has done me a lot of good. I have found that the garden offers more than the surface activities. Running a business can be stressful. But I feel that the garden has taught me a lot of good lessons - and I continue to learn. If you would like me to come and have a look at your garden this coming season. Call me in. I can work with you to produce a better garden - a less chaotic and more tranquil haven for you and your family to enjoy.

How To Garden >>> Organic Gardening

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 14:56:28 GMT

In tune with the natural world - Doing no harm!

The Gardener - is more than ever responsible for his or her impact on the environment. Gardeners can take a lead - in promoting bees and insect life. They must live alongside slugs and snails and moss and weeds to some degree. Because as we know nature is an interconnected web.

With our reductionist mindset and unnatural means of control - we are out of tune with nature. The moves we do make, must promote a balance between predator and prey. Promoting diversity in plants and wildlife. So in most cases with gardening - less is most definately more.

We can do much more in our little kingdoms - to promote a balance towards and in favour of nature in all its varied forms. The fox or badger which is digging holes in your precious lawn - is a good sign. It is a good sign that the environment is becoming welcoming. Aphids and insects - and traditionally reaching for the insecticide, can be replaced with holding on and waiting for nature to re-establish its balance between insect and prey. While spraying everything in sight - we are loosing sight and killing beneficial insects like ladybirds. Ladybirds gobble up fantastic numbers of aphids. They are a gardeners friend. Encourage them and other beneficial insects by putting up a bug hotel.

Leave your garden to go a little wild in places. Consider allowing your lawn to grow longer, allow hedges and ivy to provide places for birds and wildlife to hide. Let some wild flowers gather in long grass and see what happens to the butterfly and insect population. This lowest building block, which will in turn attract bats and birds and then birds of prey. Plant a variety of open flowered plants - aiming for a long season of necter for bees.

Feeding birds - can bring another layer of the food chain into your garden. Allowing us to begin to invite wildlife in. Birds love to eat slugs and snails and worms and insects and berries. They will do a great job for plant health by eating all sorts of creepy crawlies.

Put in a pile of logs or make a stumpery from dead tree and shrub roots. Provide upturned broken pots or stones to hide under. Bring in some water. This could be just an upturned bin lid - with some stones to allow birds and frogs and amphibians access.

We may need to accept some of the physical limitations of our plot - what it can - and can't do! And work and live with those limitations. A gardeners role needs to move away from someone who jealously guards every aspect of his/her garden. To someone who watches more. Who waits more. Who accepts some imperfection as the way of nature. Allowing nature back in - will require the gardener to have a lighter hand and a wilder mentality. Someone who has a ring side seat as the garden unfolds and allows it time and space to be itself.

Lets work together to promote wildness and wildlife.

Happy Gardening.

Sage. xx

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Where ever possible the philosophy at Kingdom Plants is to respect and promote the wildlife within your gardens. It gives me massive pleasure to come alongside and sometimes film the humble Robin as he flits around. Or to sneak up on a fox who has been sleeping in the grass with her cub. Where ever possible I will try and use systemic measures. Organic controls if I can. Call me in this coming season - I would love to see what wildlife we can foster in your own unique garden.

How To Garden >>> Maintaining A Garden

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 11:15:32 GMT

Keeping your garden looking good - year round

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven - Ecclesiasties Ch.3 v 1

There is a natural rhythm to the garden which you will catch - when you spend some time learning in your garden from season to season. No two gardens are the same - some gardens will require more maintenance than others - but as always the more you put in - the more you will get out. Little and often is the key with keeping a garden well maintained and looking its best year round.

There are some general keys to good maintenance which will greatly enhance a garden.

Keep the lawn and edges looking crisp regularly. This goes a long way to making the whole garden look good.
Keep on top of the weeding regularly when the weeds are small. Sometimes a quick hoe when the weeds are small - will save you hours of weeding later on.
Apply a thick mulch (bark or manure) this will greatly reduce the amount of weeding required.
Pay attention to keeping hedges and climbers under control and looking well maintained. If the edges are sharp - it will look less cluttered on the eye.
Make the most of the whole season - choosing a range of plants to give interest from Spring to Winter.
Use pots dotted around to add an element of interest season long. They can be removed and exchanged as plants move past their best.
Use the right tool for the job. Don't battle away on a hedge or lawn - invest in a good tool to make your life easier and get better results overall.

Spring >>> Planting can take place in spring. Seeds and bulbs and new life - starts now!

Beds can be shaped and formed. Seeds can be sown indoors. The lawn can take some renovation - feeding, weeding and seeding.

Summer >>> At this point softwood cuttings take easily. Strategic watering of pots and plants. Deadheading and weeding and some pruning. Mowing & improving lawns. The weeds will be growing strong - so little and often to stay on top.

Sitting and enjoying the garden as much as possible!

Autumn >>> Trimming hedges and shrubs. It is a time for putting the garden to bed for the winter. So tidying dead leaves, weeding and getting ahead for the next season. Any planting of trees and shrubs is good now - giving a good window of wet weather to become established. Also planting bulbs.

Winter >>> Mulches can be applied at this time of year which feeds the whole soil - improving water retention and structure. Plants go dormant in winter. So moving, dividing and planting is good now. Apple & Pear Trees can be pruned and the structure readily assessed. Any sort of tree or shrub can be planted now.

Staying indoors - thinking and dreaming about next year!

When establishing a garden - think carefully about the amount of maintenance that will be required - and whether you will have the available time to keep it maintained. Little and often is the key to keeping a garden looking good season round. Get out and enjoy your garden as the weather allows.

For me - now is the time to move inside and take a well earned break.

Thanks,

Sage X

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I live and breathe gardens - year round. If I am not gardening - I am thinking about gardening. I absolutely love working in your gardens - its what makes me tick - the stuff of life!!

Next season will be upon us before you know it. Look me up and I will get you into my diary - I can keep your garden well maintained year round. Making changes and improvements along the way and leaving you to simply relax and enjoy the fruits of my labour.

How To Garden >>> Creating A Garden

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 17:02:05 GMT

What to consider - the design process

Get a piece of paper - and work out what you want from a garden. Look at the site - and live with the garden for at least a year - taking note of what is there - and what you would like to keep, change and add. Take pictures - to record what works and what doesn't - you can refer back when the time has passed. Good gardens keep evolving - adding and improving year on year - take your time!

Think about what structural elements - of trees and hedges, boundaries and height. Which walls and fences, paths, patios, ponds would you like? Do you want a more naturalistic garden overall - with less ongoing maintenance - or more managed?

Work out where specimen trees and hedges should go early. Give plants plenty of space to grow. The detail of planting can be filled in over time. Local garden centres will stock many of the plants which do well locally. They are a mine of useful information.

When siting hedges think about how they affect the flow of the garden. And how the paths work with boundaries. People will always take the straightest easiest sight line route - which won't always conform to where you have put the pathway. So think about cutting off the easiest route sometimes with a boundary hedge, blocking access and the sight line to give a sense of more to see - a further vista to explore.

Use height - especially in a small garden. Large plants make a small garden look bigger and a large garden look smaller!!

Have a look at your neighbours gardens to take inspiration and learn from what grows well in local gardens - with local soil and growing conditions. It is useful at an early stage to work out where the sunlight lands at different times of day. Which areas are drier generally. And which more wet. Learn from books and take advice on where to plant and what type of plant does well for your site. Learn the way the wind blows and the way the sun falls at different times of year. Your own plot will have a micro-climate of its own. And different plants will do well in different places.

Sometimes a garden can evolve around one or two key ideas or concepts - such as a colour theme or seating areas.

One key idea is where would you like to sit in the garden or how you would like to use the garden for perhaps entertaining. Is there an area that could be more secluded. Or perhaps a good vantage point to view one aspect of the garden or perhaps the whole garden.

What sort of garden will you want overall. Do you want something minimalistic - which is perhaps more hard landscaped. With less planting. Or do you want something which is going to require more ongoing upkeep with more labour intensive planting. In which case you may need a gardener or to take a more active role in the gardening.

Maybe you plan to have a less hands on approach - allowing the garden once planted to become fairly wild. With less intervention - aiming to attract wildlife.

Do you want to grow your own fruit and veg? In a section of the garden - or perhaps you can have a mix and grow fruit and veg alongside cut flowers and shrubs.

If you have a large garden - you can experiment with garden rooms. Creating different areas which can use different themes of planting. Monty Don has used this approach brilliantly with his large garden - Longmeadow. Monty has allowed himself to experiment with many different types of planting in these garden rooms - utilising the unique growing conditions in each section. Using the structure of hedges and paths to separate and connect the very different rooms.

Perhaps if you have a small garden you can focus on your favourite plants - perhaps creating a rose themed garden. Or if you love the spring - you can aim for spring bulbs and spring planting.

Every garden is unique - the garden is as unique as you are - they grow with their owners in a symbiotic relationship. Let the garden evolve with you and your unique self. What aspects of a garden do you most like - or want to explore? Don't feel it must all be decided at once. Live with the garden and work with its different aspects.

Above all enjoy the process - enjoy your unique creation!

Sage.

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At Kingdom Plants - I work with you and your garden. Taking a blank sheet of paper - and working with you to create the garden you dream about. If you need some ideas for planting - or planning your garden - contact me for some fresh ideas. A garden should be a sanctuary - your own unique sanctuary. As public as you want to make it. Incorporating all of the aspects you love. Call me in and I will work with you over time to create a garden you can love.

How To Garden >>> Propagation

Sat, 04 Sep 2021 16:11:30 GMT

Making little plants - multiply!

With a little practice - it is easy to produce your own little plants. And very possible to fill your house or garden with inexpensive cuttings from friends and family.

The process of producing new plants is fairly simple - I will break down the process for indoor and outdoor plants.

Indoor Plants >>> Many plants like Aloe Vera - produce hundreds of their own little babies (or pups) regularly from the mother plant. Simply separate the baby from the parent and pot up in new compost. Many plants like Jade plants readily propagate from a cutting from the mother plant. Cut off a 4 inch stem and place the stem in a pot of compost. For say an African Violet. Cut off two healthy leaves (with stems) and place the cuttings back to back in a small pot. Keep the pot watered from time to time until the plant starts to produce new leaves. Often if one method fails - try placing the stem in a jar of water. Leave it on a window sill and in time the plant will often produce new roots. Pot up the plant once it has a strong root system.

Outdoor Plants >>> There are 2 types of cutting. Softwood and Hardwood.

Hardwood Cuttings :

are taken towards the end of the growing season when the plant wood becomes firm and woody. To get a better success rate take lots of up to 5 inch cuttings. Prepare the cutting by cutting below a node (the place where leaves come out). Then trim the top of the cutting above a node. Place the cuttings into a terracotta pot around the edge. Rooting hormone is optional but not essential. The cuttings should be ready to pot up after the next growing season in the following spring.

Softwood Cuttings :

are taken about 6 weeks after the first green shoots in spring. So for most places softwood cuttings start in June and run for the summer. They are taken in much the same way as hardwood, but take root much more readily with the warmer weather. Keep cuttings regularly watered and pot up in about 2 to 3 months.

All cuttings should be pruned regularly in the early stages to produce a fuller more compact and healthy plant. This can be done by pinching out the growing tips regularly. Which promotes bushier growth.

When taking cuttings - be careful not to take cuttings from Patented plants - those which are trade marked. These require a licence from the producer to propagate.

Bearing in mind the above - have a go at propagating any plant that takes your fancy. There will be quite a few failures - but with time and practice you will get better. Propagation - is far easier than you think - by putting what is effectively sticks into a pot - you will have an abundance of new plants for your landscape - at little or no cost.

Have a go and start making new plants.

Sage.

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At Kingdom Plants - I propagate a wide selection of indoor and outdoor plants. I pick those plants that are a bit different - or which are attractive in a landscape. I have found that I am able to provide plants to enhance customer gardens - and to sell to the public. With some practice you can propagate many plants in your back yard or garden. In most cases - without the need for a greenhouse.

Feel free to contact me - and I will provide a list of plants I am currently propagating for sale.

How To Garden >>> Roses

Fri, 23 Jul 2021 13:59:41 GMT

Keeping Your Roses - Blooming Marvelously

This month's topic is the thorny issue of Roses. In today's blog I will address 2 main contentious issues - pruning and feeding.

Roses need pruning from time to time - and as you increase in confidence and experience - you will know intuitively when to prune and how much to prune. Roses are a slightly complicated area - but don't be put off - have a go!

There are many different types of rose. Three main groups are climbers, standard roses, and bush roses.

Bush Roses >>> prune much like you would a shrub. Cut back to maintain a good bush shape during the season - and in the Autumn - give it a good haircut!

Standard Roses >>> during the season prune the spent flowers - but do not just cut the flower off at the tip. Follow the branch fairly low down the plant and cut back to an outward facing bud if you can. Pruning harder is better as a general rule - than leaving the plant alone in the fear that you will loose precious flowers. Always prune to keep a good form rather than flowers and you should not go too far wrong. If you keep pruning spent flowers throughout the season - your rose should keep on and on flowering.

In the Autumn give the rose a good prune. Prune out dead, diseased and damaged first. Then prune fairly hard down to lower buds.

Climbers >>> prune some of older canes down to the ground each year in Autumn. Choose three or four main longer canes to form the structure of the plant and tie them in to a suitable support. Prune the side shoots back to a bud close to the three or four main leaders. In this way you allow the plant to produce new flowering shoots the following year without loosing all of its growth.

When feeding roses - feed the soil. Apply a thick layer of manure around the roses each year in Autumn. When planting roses - wait until winter and buy bare rooted if you can. Plant them deep and apply a thick layer of manure mulch around the roses.

Roses may need spraying up to 4 times a year with a black spot spray to keep the foliage in good fettle.

Every garden should have a rose or two - there are hundreds to choose from - speak to your local garden centre - for advice on the best to suit your soil and aspect. Roses as a general rule like to be planted in a position to benefit from the sun - but will tolerate most locations.

Until next time - enjoy your garden. And above all - do have a go!!

Sage.

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Pamper your roses - season long - with Kingdom Plants - call me in to have a look at your own unique garden.

I can advise on all aspects of a well kept garden. Working with you to produce and maintain a space you can relax in and enjoy.

How To Garden >>> Fruit Trees

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 20:39:43 GMT

Maximize your fruiting potential - a real bounty!

Planting a fruit tree is an investment for your future and those generations to come. Most fruit trees need a minimum of intervention to produce good crops year after year. Fruit trees are a fairly complicated area, but by getting to know your tree, and following some basic rules - you can maximise your fruiting potential.

PLANTING YOUR FRUIT TREE

Choose a tree - on the correct rooting stock - remembering the size of the tree is determined by the root stock (read the label for eventual tree size). When planting a new fruit tree - the best time to plant is in winter - when the plant is dormant. Dig in some organic matter to the planting hole and create a hole larger than the root ball. Hammer in a stake before planting - then arrange the tree in the hole - remembering to keep the graft above ground, planting at the same level the tree was in the pot. Keep the soil around the tree free of any competing plants or grass and mulch generously. Give the tree a bucket of water from time to time in the first summer in dry weather - in successive years the tree should manage without additional water once its root system becomes more established.

PRUNING YOUR FRUIT TREE

It helps sometimes to thin the fruits after the June drop. This leads to larger fruits. Pruning can take place in winter for all trees apart from Plum and Cherry (which should be pruned in summer. In the initial stages prune to take out dead, diseased and damaged branches. Prune for shape and get used to cutting above a bud - the tree will then shoot from that terminal bud in the direction of the bud. Aim for an open goblet shape - with enough space to throw a hat through the tree (or fly a pigeon!). Any branches that are growing into the centre of the tree can be removed to reduce crossing and congestion in the centre.

Do not prune out more than a third of growth in one growing season. Otherwise this can lead to water shoots and the tree overcompensating for loss by throwing out hundreds of shoots.

HARVESTING YOUR FRUIT

When apples and pears are ripe - you can lift the fruit in your hand and when ripe the fruit will come away in your hand.

Pears ripen from the inside out - so it is important to test the fruit regularly to see if it is ripe. A ripe pear will give a little around the top of the fruit. Pears do not keep so should be enjoyed as soon as they are ripe.

As a general rule the later an apple is harvested the longer the apple will keep. Many types of apple can be kept for months - by keeping them in a cold dark place and spreading them out on a tray.

Enjoy your fruit tree - and the hope of this year's harvest!

Sage.

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As a gardener - I look after a range of different fruit trees for my clients. I can source and plant fruit trees for you - creating a future fruitful investment for you and your family to enjoy. Contact me for advice and guidance on the correct fruit tree for your garden. There is nothing like the anticipation of this years harvest - from your own fruit tree.

How To Garden >>> Tools

Mon, 03 May 2021 16:05:38 GMT

You don't need £1000's worth of tools - just get started...

A good quality tool - is a thing of beauty - and a pleasure to use. But a good tool - does not make a good gardener. And it is not necessary to have £1000's worth of tools.

When starting out - keep it simple until you need more. Always buy a tool - when you definitely need it - my tool shed is full of tools I don't use..... There is really just a handful that I come back to again and again.

I would suggest getting the following as a new gardener -

1) A good spade and perhaps a fork

2) A trowel

3) Some gardening gloves

4) Secateurs

5) Shears

6) Loppers

7) Lawn Mower - electric to start with

That is it.

Second hand tools are perfectly fine to start with. When I started Kingdom Plants - I could not afford my own tools - so I begged and borrowed - until I could get my own tools.

A couple of good power tools could be added when you need them - a good mower - petrol is probably the best alternative for most uses. Give your mower a good service once a year to sharpen blades and inspect all working parts - and it will be a fine.

A second useful power tool would be a long reach hedge trimmer. Very useful for trimming longer, higher hedges and larger shrubs. Allowing the operator to work safely from the ground - rather than on ladders.

The other 2 useful tools I carry are a petrol strimmer - to neaten lawn edges and deal with overgrown grass/weeds. And a petrol hand held blower - which is very useful for tidying after mowing or strimming. And makes light work of leaves.

So that is a quick guide to tools. Until next time - happy gardening.

Sage.

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As a gardener - I value my tools - keeping them well serviced and maintained. I have a tool for every job - and can make quick work of even the largest looking tasks. Call me in to look after your own unique garden. I can arrange for regular visits to keep your garden looking well cared for and well maintained.

Call : 0781 307 6643

Email : kingdomplants@outlook.com

How To Garden >>> Grass

Sun, 04 Apr 2021 06:06:13 GMT

Every man's pride and joy - A lush green lawn

A perfect green lawn - makes many men feel good. But to keep it like that requires quite a bit of management. Maybe it is best to go green and accept some imperfection.....

There are two routes to go down with lawns - organic and inorganic.

Traditionally the lawn has been the pride and joy of many an englishman - but there is a changing tide - towards a more tolerant - greener way. Perfection comes at a cost - for our pocket and the environment.

There are now many good organic treatments - with more being added all the time. The perfect lawn becomes less important - and perhaps we can live with some weeds and moss in favour of wildflowers and wildlife.

Renovation

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There are 2 good times to renovate a lawn - Spring and Autumn. Both times make use of natural rainfall. Any good lawn programme will use both times.

Autumn is a time for repair. Moss can be removed - and new seed added, giving greater rainfall to establish seed. Also an Autumn lawn treatment can be added to promote root growth and strengthen the grass for a good lush start to the following spring.

Spring is a great time to assess how your lawn has come through winter. Choose one aspect to work on at a time. Does it need a combined treatment - or more specifically weeds - or moss.

Organic

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Organic measures can include - chicken manure based products, which give a boost less harmful to wildlife. Blood, Fish and Bone, recommended by Alan Titchmarsh - so it must be good!

Nature

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Overall lawns will try hard to revert to their natural state, based on aspect and location. One often of weediness and mossiness, or both, depending on the situation. The underlying problem can be pacified with Aeration or Scarifying, but problems will return.

Cut Longer

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Accepted wisdom is for a lawn to be cut very short - like a golf course. Grass stores its energy in the blade of grass, so by removing all of the growth this leaves little left for dry weather and does not allow the lawn some natural strength. By cutting longer the grass remains greener in dry spells and overall in better health. Requiring less lawn treatments to keep it in fine fettle.

Over-seeding

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For a sparse lawn - over-seeding the whole area once a year - in Spring or Autumn is beneficial, adding some new life to lawns which can often get a lot of wear.

The route to a perfect lawn is one that I consider regularly while I garden. It is a matter of individual preference. And often reflects the character of the person. Perhaps the green movement offers us a more relaxed balanced view of gardening - accepting our lawns imperfections, its moss and weeds as part of life.

Till next time - happy gardening,

Sage.

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Whichever course you take with your lawn - Kingdom Plants - can work with you to maximise the potential of your plot. I use a range of measures to keep a lawn looking good season long. So that you can sit back, relax and enjoy.

How To Garden >>> Pruning

Sat, 20 Mar 2021 16:15:52 GMT

Q) When & How? A) Now Is The Time!!

Pruning - is a contentious issue in gardening - When is the right time? And - How much to prune?

When To Prune???

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There are certain conventions within gardening regarding the 'right time' to prune various plants. And it is probably one of the main reasons for marriage problems......one person wants to prune and the other thinks - "not now" - and "that's too much!!".

To any novice - pruning can seem a bewildering subject.

So let me simplify this for you somewhat......The right time to Prune - is Now! Now! Now!

We can spend forever trying and then failing to hit the right window for pruning. In the mean time the plant is getting leggy and unsightly.

As a gardener I prune for form - not for flowers. Flowers are nice - but they are not my main priority. Otherwise I would never prune. So I would rather have a well pruned plant - with a tight full structure. Than a perfectly pruned plant which can be leggy and unsightly. It depends what effect you are trying to create.

As a rule of thumb - I prune most plants when it looks like it needs doing. And I don't worry unduly about flowers. By all accounts my client gardens look great and the plants are full and fantastic.

How To Prune???

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Again there are certain conventions within gardening - regarding how much to prune individual plants. As you get to know your plants you will begin to understand each plants individual characteristics.

But let me simplify the whole subject for you....."Cut back to the green". If you remember that - your garden will thrive.

Ok - here is a general rule of thumb for you.....always prune to a green shoot. In that way you can be sure that the plant will most likely bounce back. What do you do if the plant is massively out of hand and adversely dominating your garden - Cut it back to the ground!!

Most times I have done that to a well established plant - it has bounced back just fine. And it will look fantastic.

When you prune - the plant will normally send out several more shoots at the point of the cut. If you want a nice full plant - prune it fairly regularly once or twice a year to promote bushiness.

So there you have it. Pruning is easier than you think - And the worst that can happen most times - is you loose some flowers. Not worth all the marital strife! Let him/her have at it. It will grow back - I promise!!

As a novice gardener - have a go and prune. If in doubt - prune. If it looks awful - prune. Please don't be afraid to prune.

Till next time - Happy Gardening,

Sage.

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Kingdom Plants is in business to help you tame your unruly gardens - bringing back some much needed order and tranquility. I work to create a real sanctuary for you and your family to enjoy. Call me in to have a look - I can advise you on the best way forward - and help you to get the most from your garden.

How To Garden >>> Planting & Transplanting

Sun, 14 Feb 2021 10:35:27 GMT

Give plants the best chance - timing is everything

Depending on the type of plant you want to plant - there are 2 main best times to plant - Autumn and Spring. Some plants require warmer temperatures to start growing well - tender bedding plants and many sorts of vegetables - will need the warmth of spring and summer to grow well and so planting them out in spring is a good time.

For more established potted shrubs and plants - the best time to plant is generally in the Autumn or Spring. Autumn is the best time because the plants will have time to get established with regular natural watering before the dryer summer months. If planting potted shrubs in summer - they will likely need more watering and care depending on their location.

When planting any shrub or potted plant into the garden - give it a good water to get it established. Then it may need more watering depending on when you planted it. Summer months will require a closer eye - to make sure the plant gets properly established.

The best time to move established garden plants - is in the dormant period - this being the winter months. This gives the plant a long time to recover before the dryer summer months.

If transplanting a very well established plant with a large root system - if you have time - cut around the root ball of the plant with a spade the previous season before moving. This will force the plant to produce a more compact root system, ready for moving in the following Autumn.

When planting - don't be afraid to have a go. You may well find you do have green fingers!!

Till next time - Happy Gardening,

Sage.

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Kingdom Plants - is in business - to help you and your garden thrive. I love nothing more than working to transform a space. I can regularly maintain your garden leaving you to sit, relax and enjoy your own kingdom. Contact me for a professional, well ordered approach to your unique garden.

I am looking forward to the coming season with excitement and anticipation - I cant wait to get out into your gardens again.......

How To Garden >>> Soil & Mulches

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 12:25:20 GMT

Mulches - The Key & Cornerstone To Good Gardening

Mulches are the key and cornerstone to successful gardening - the first thing I consider when looking at a new client plot. It does not matter whether your soil is primarily clay/soil/chalk or desert! Whatever it is - it will benefit from mulches. If you learn nothing else - learn natures way - of beating weeds and improving the soil. And the plants will love you too!!

Put on a thick mulch of whatever is most to hand - be that rotted leaves, bark chips, wood chips, chipped or raw prunings (drop it straight on the soil), stones (yes stones - provide a covering and minerals - and retain moisture) and any kind of animal poo. Horse, Cow, Pig, Chicken, Anything.......

Leave a thick layer of mulch on top of the soil (at least 3 inches) - and do not dig it in. Leave it on top. From time to time - top up the soil with another mulch. Focus on having a net increase in organic matter - and over time your soil will improve dramatically - becoming more and more fertile. Digging will become a thing of the past. The only thing you may need to do is rake the mulch around a bit from time to time to cover the soil. You will have virtually no weeds - yes - NO WEEDS! So a lot less work and no pesticides - which are bad for the soil, for the environment, bees, insects and birds. Watering will be a thing of the past - the soil will retain tons of moisture - even in drought. The plants you grow will be incredibly healthy.

If you have space - every garden should - put a compost heap in one corner. On that compost heap put everything from the garden - apart from weeds. Then from time to time - empty the contents of that heap onto the surface of the garden.

So that is the cornerstone secret to good gardening, start with the soil. Start with mulches.

Happy Gardening,

Sage.

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Kingdom Plants is a forward thinking gardening and plants business. I embrace new and old thinking on the best ways to garden successfully. Call me in to assess your own garden - I can assess the possibilities of your site - working with nature - to produce proven results. I will find and utilise the best gardening practices - to bring the best out of your unique plot.

Happy New Year >>> Happy Gardening!!

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 16:49:55 GMT

New 12 Part Series - How To Garden - A Basic Guide

This year has been a challenge - next year must be much better. I am looking forward to the coming season with anticipation. And the start of a twelve part blog series. Titled - How To Garden - A Basic Guide. I have picked out 12 topics which have served me well in my role as your gardener.

The twelve coming topics are >>>

1) Soil & Mulches 2) Planting & Transplanting 3) Pruning 4) Grass 5) Tools 6) Fruit Trees 7) Roses 8) Propagation 9) Creating A Garden 10) Maintaining A Garden 11) Organic Gardening 12) Gardening & Mental Health

Looking forward to taking you with me through this series - a foundation for successful gardening.

Happy new year to you. And blessings at this time of year to all my customers and those supporting Kingdom Plants - through good and bad times. We look forward with hope and anticipation to the spring. To getting out and working hard to maintain and transform your gardens.

Happy New Year!!

Love - Sage XXX

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New year - new garden!! Give me a call this coming spring. To tame and transform your garden - into a space you can be proud of and really enjoy. See my review section for testimonies from many of my customers >>> Customer Reviews. Who recommend my un-fussy, well ordered, considered approach to gardening.

Love, Joy & Peace @ Christmas

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 12:50:29 GMT

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I am sitting in my own little kingdom today. My garden. Hearing and watching the birds buzzing backwards and forwards - feet away from me. The Robin- is singing his heart out!! And my own heart is at peace - resting and relaxing and enjoying what God gives us. I pray that you would enjoy your gardens and your own little kingdom this Christmas. For a while perhaps we can forget about Corona virus. And not being able to be with family. Remember that there is love, peace and joy in the world. We will all be together again. That there are people - who really love us. There is peace - to be had in resting. And allowing God to fight whatever battles you are facing. And there is joy in knowing that we are not in charge. That we can trust his provision and love. I pray that everyone would know God's - love, joy and peace - at Christmas.

Love your gardener - Adrian. Xxxx

Lessons - From The Apple Tree

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 15:37:27 GMT

Learning to be Fruitful in Life & Business

In these uncertain economic times - many businesses are suffering and learning some painful lessons. The humble fruit tree - has a lot to teach about the abundant life - or being successful (fruitful) in life and business. Consistently fruitful - in and out of season.

1) Being Fruitful (Successful) Requires - Consistency & Patience >>>>>

For a fruit tree to give a good yield - can take up to 20 years. At the 20 year mark an apple tree is just getting into its stride. What an investment of time! And a good lesson for any venture - to be successful and fruitful - takes time and effort, consistency and patience - in all seasons. Gathering good clients and building good relationships takes time. This is the same with any discipline - to get good and be successful takes time. And a good lesson for me in business and gardening, especially in uncertain economic times.

2) Being Fruitful (Successful) Requires -Trust & Faith >>>>>

The fruitfulness of an apple tree is very dependent on the type of season. A fruit tree is dependent on enough water, sun and nutrients and the timing of frost etc. We are also dependent on the changing circumstances. With corona virus, so many businesses are forced to adapt or die. Now more than ever we are trusting our local customers to keep supporting us and that takes faith too.

3) Being Fruitful (Successful) Requires - Effective Management - Selection & Focus (Pruning) >>>>>

The structure of an apple tree - is determined by effective pruning - especially in the early stages. There needs to be selection and focus of the trees energy into branches (structure). There must be management of the variety of possibilities - so that the tree does not grow unproductively in many different directions. This is the same with our lives. We must cut off those avenues and pathways that are not conducive to good growth. Promoting those opportunities that lead to good growth and good fruit. There must be investment, effective investment of time, effort and profit back into the right areas for greater returns in future.

4) Fruit - Is A Blessing To Be Shared!

It is perfectly possible to eat all of the harvest personally. But the most effective life or business - needs to share its profit (fruit). There are many birds, insects, animals and people who should benefit from the fruit. In this way the fruit tree - or our own unique life effort - participates in the rich interconnected tapestry of life.

So perhaps one of the most difficult lessons of life - is learning not to hold on too tightly. To have an open hand and heart - to trust and to give to others who really need support and help (fruit).

There is a time in life to harvest and store and be prudent - to be a good steward of the profits of a business or the results of life. But we are in a net of other individuals and businesses. One business must support others, and the favor is returned - creating business and opportunity. Ultimately sharing our harvest is important for refreshing and renewing and sustaining others. With that investment the world goes round and we get to participate in sharing our fruitful harvest - with our community.

Thank you for listening,

With love and blessings - Sage.

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Kingdom Plants - is a small business, with a big heart - to serve you. Winter is here and it is time to get inside and stay warm. To think and dream of our fruitful gardens, to gather in and hibernate. There will be time to look forward and dream and scheme about next years display and harvest. But for now lets enjoy all the little blessings in life. To make the most of life now - in good and bad - corona virus or not.

Christmas Is Coming!!!

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 12:51:22 GMT

The Brilliant Bespoke - Bird Box Bonanza......

Christmas - somewhat overshadowed - by corona virus this year. But I know it will take more than this to dampen the Great British spirit!!

As a big thank you to all my lovely clients - and a little something to cheer you up. I have handcrafted - yes - handcrafted - loads of bird boxes - ready to install in your gardens. So whether you like it or not - you will most likely have some feathered friends visiting your gardens - this spring. And hopefully they will feel right at home in my home made - bomb proof - decking bird boxes.

A big thank you to everyone who has supported my business this year - I am super grateful for your support during these difficult times.

I look forward to working in your gardens in spring. And in a few gardens I will be battling on through the winter!

Merry Christmas,

Love - from your gardener - Sage. XXX

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If I can bring some seasonal cheer to your garden this coming year - feel free to contact me at - Kingdom Plants. I am beginning to plan my diary for next year - so if you would like a gardener - with a weakness for tea and biscuits - and a passion for all things plants and gardens - get in touch.

Living on Purpose

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 13:58:40 GMT

Designing an intentional life

The Road Not Taken >>>> Robert Frost

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I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

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Personally - I am on a journey to design my life more intentionally. I think it is easy to accept the influences of media and the social pressures to conform which surround us - loosing our own uniqueness in the process. For me - this journey started with a change of career - into horticulture. And then from that - a questioning of my identity - asking what possessions are really needed - and which people were really serving my growth.

Lock-down has given us a unique time for reflection and reordering - to work out what is important. Don't miss this opportunity to design life going forward - to question each area of life and ask - is this serving my greater purpose?

Turning Into A Butterfly

***********************

I see this process - like a caterpillar changing into a butterfly. The caterpillar does not know who it will be - when it gives up its old life. Friends and family may question this transformation, and not be altogether as supportive in the process as expected. They were happy with the caterpillar - the way that he/she was. But inside all of us - to make necessary changes for our growth requires some letting go of the old - and embracing the new. Courage is needed to make adjustments which will bring about a better life. One more fulfilling and well adjusted.

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There are several good places to start - in designing an intentional life - perhaps 4 main areas to consider:

1) STUFF >>>>>

I have asked the question with much of my stuff - does this add value to my life? Do I really need this - or am I realistically ever going to use this?

I have found by asking those questions - it allows us to get rid of things that are not serving us or contributing to our overall happiness. In the process working out the things which are most important. To cherish quality - above quantity.

2) HOME >>>>>

I have chosen to get out of the rat race - and off of the housing ladder. To accept where I am and begin to put down proper roots and embed myself into my community. The temptation within society is to keep reaching for the next housing rung - without questioning the wisdom of this. Bigger house = more ongoing service costs. A bigger house is not an investment or an asset. It generally costs us more money all round to have a larger better house. There is a loss of freedom by being tied in to a mortgage. And the greater overall ongoing cost of having a larger house.

3) PEOPLE >>>>

I have questioned - as have many others I am sure - who should remain in my life? We can choose intentionally - those people who are 'for' us. Who hold us up when we are flagging. Or who support our growth - building - rather than tearing down. Positive supportive people rather than critical, judgemental people. By asking the sobering sensible question - who are the important people I would like to keep in my life? We can choose where we invest our limited time and resources in those places that matter.

4) WORK >>>>>

What makes us tick? We do not need to settle for a life of safety and predictability - at the expense of our overall well being. Loosing a job - in these uncertain times is a unique opportunity to find out what we should be really doing. As I have found - being pushed is often the impetus needed for a positive change of direction.

I have found that a job is not what I want - I need an outlet that I can attach meaning to. Jobs are fairly soul destroying - they usually try to get the most out of us with the least amount of investment.

Personally I believe that taking time out to think critically about - who I am? and what makes me tick? Can help us keep the stuff and people - that add value. And shed the stuff and people that don't. To live a life on purpose - takes courage. Your unique self cannot be contained - we owe it to ourselves to examine our lives at this time because - The butterfly that we really are - needs to fly. And needs to be free.

Thanks for listening and journeying a little with me,

Love Sage XXX

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I run a small business called Kingdom Plants which is my own unique contribution! I enjoy helping people with their gardens and making a difference within peoples environments. I am fortunate to be able to work in gardens which I love. To grow plants that are life enhancing additions - to hopefully bring joy to myself and others.

If you need a helping hand - give me a shout and I will get you into my diary. Thanks.

Less - Is More!! - Small is Beautiful.

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 12:34:13 GMT

Seeing the wood - for the trees....

For much of my life I have been sold on the lie - that more is better....or having the next thing, or being something else will make me happier.

I have come to realise - that we need to retire from that rat race. We need to ask ourselves the questions:

1) When are we ever going to be content and happy?

2) And what do we really need for that happiness?

We can design our lives to answer those questions well!

Working for myself in a gardening business - has taught me alot. But two main things have become apparent >>>>>>

a) What you have is enough!

There is no need for a bigger house - or more stuff - or more money - it doesn't make me happy. What I hold in my hand is enough. God supplies all that we need to be happy day by day.

b) What you are is enough!

You have what you need. And you are enough - without anything more. You are good enough - without knowing or being more.

Let that sink in - you have enough - and you are enough! That is the key to happiness. Finding joy in a simple life and realising we have what we need without looking outside ourselves for more......

In a world where that is true - we don't need to work so damn hard, to earn money, to buy things, to impress people, we don't even care about.

SIMPLIFY >>>>> My own journey down this road - started by minimising my possessions. Asking myself:

Q) What do I really need for the journey I am on? Having a simpler life potentially means - less work - and more time, for those things that matter.

Our health, family and friends and all the simple things that make us happy. We must learn to take joy from the simpler things in life.

I live in a small house (probably a better house than 95% of the population). I have realised 'small is beautiful'. And I wouldn't trade my simple life for anything.

That is all for now - lets get back to the gardening.......

Love - Happy Sage XXX

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Kingdom Plants - is a small business with a big heart. I keep it simple. When it is raining hard - I stay indoors. When God sends sunshine - I get out and enjoy my gardening and growing life enhancing, beautiful, healthy plants.

Thank you to all my loyal customers - and if you need some help and tlc in the garden - call me in for a chat.

Thanks.

The Circadian Rhythm - Natures Cycle

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 05:25:23 GMT

Finding your Rhythm - Adjusting, establishing and maintaining healthy daily routines

WARNING

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With modern life the way it is - we are potentially interrupting the circadian rhythm. Our brain and body has a daily rhythm which is being interrupted by modern gadgets, and a poor system of daily habits.

A lack of good restful sleep is leading to irritability with loved ones, anger, lethargy, inability to concentrate, fight or flight responses and general bodily overdrive.

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So my own journey for the last two years or so, my sleep has been dwindling down to about 2 hours a night, and imperceptibly I was becoming an insomniac. I was going out of my mind with lack of sleep. During this period I discovered the circadian rhythm. My own sleep is not yet fully sorted - but I believe I am now on the road to better sleep.

The circadian rhythm is the 24hour repeating cycle of waking, sleeping, eating and drinking.

I believe that many peoples circadian rhythm is out of balance, but thankfully there are ways to reset the body clock!

We need to establish routines for our lives - that we aim to stick with and to build good habits into those routines. So for me - I used to drink coffee and tea at any time of day or night. I used a smart phone at every and any hour of day or night. I went to sleep when I felt like it. I got up regularly when I should be sleeping and wanted to sleep when I should be up and about. My world was upside down.

The following are 16 useful suggestions if you want more regularity in your personal circadian rhythm.

Physical

>>>>>>>>>>>

1) Coffee & Tea - The Drug of Choice :

Having a coffee first thing in the morning (we all do it) interrupts the natural flow of Serotonin release in the brain. The brain releases a natural get up, wake up call. If we drink coffee before the body has had time to run this routine (2 hours) this is an interruption to that natural process of waking and the body becomes reliant on that stimulous.

It is best not to have coffee after 12pm - coffee has a half life of up to 8 hours. So drinking coffee and tea in the afternoon could cause over stimulation and cause sleeplessness at night. Decaff coffee and tea is ok. But remember it does contain caffeine and so 2 or 3 decaffs is equivalent to 1 caffeinated drink.

2) Drink Enough Water :

Hydrate sufficiently during the day - 8 pints of water is a good level to aim at. Water helps clear brain function and aids the blood and circulation. And is good for digestion.

Stop drinking up to 2 hours before bed. This can help interrupt going to the toilet in the night which can lead to disrupted sleep.

3) Less Alcohol!!

Alcohol can cause dehydration and lead to a poor level of rest during sleep. Rather than helping it can be a hindrance to good sleep.

4) Bananas :

Eat a banana before bedtime. The potassium in the banana is a natural sedative.

5) Bedtime Routine :

Get up and go to bed at set times - you are building up to 8 uninterrupted hours of sleep. If you need to be up early, take that into account with earlier bed times. Creating a good habit and sticking to set bedtimes and get up times - tells the body when is normal to go to sleep and get up and the body naturally becomes tired when it should.

6) Light Levels :

Reduce light levels down towards bed time. Ideally no phone or television 2 to 3 hours before bed. This gives and maintains the signal that the body can start to shut down. I had not realised how important this aspect is to good sleep - and in the modern world of gadgets this is a common problem.

Additionally if possible get 20 minutes of sunlight upon waking. This is a good signal that the day has started and sets the circadian clock for the day.

7) Waking During Night :

If you do wake up in the night - say to yourself - no, it is time to sleep. Turnover and go back to sleep. Sometimes the body needs to be taught - no - its bed time. If you have been awake for more than 20 minutes experiment with getting up and coming back to bed again when you get drowsy. This gives the body the signal that bed is a place to sleep.

8) Keep The Bedroom For Sleep :

Remove the TV, workstation and other distractions. Create a comfortable safe haven. Make sure you have the right thickness of duvet for the time of year. Also a better grade of mattress can help too. Gentle side table lamps to help the body understand its time for sleep. Make it dark in your bedroom when sleeping - blackout curtains can help. Reduce the temperature of the bedroom.

Mental

>>>>>>>>>

9) Mental Health :

Take good care of yourself. Be gentle with yourself and let yourself off the hook. Getting the circadian rhythm sorted can take time to adjust our ways of being.

If the doctor has prescribed medication - take it for the time being. You may be able to reduce or stop the medication at a future date.

10) Relaxation Techniques :

Tense and relax muscles to aid relaxation before sleep - this helps to take us out of our busy minds and back into our tired bodies. There are also useful breathing exercises to calm the body into sleep.

11) Think Happy Thoughts :

What are your happy thoughts? Nothing you need to think too much about.

12) Write It Down:

Keep a pen and paper by the bed. Write down any annoying thoughts of things that needs doing etc. Then go to sleep.

13) Reading Before Bedtime :

Light reading before bedtime can help. The eyes and brain get tired and you can drift off to sleep.

Emotional

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

14) Keep Talking:

Talk to loved ones about what you are going through and seek help if you need it.

15) Emotional Problems:

Are you dealing with specific major life problems. Like the loss of a loved one or going through other stressful situations. These emotions can be difficult to process and if not dealt with properly can cause upset sleep. You may require counseling or inner healing and once the hurt has been processed - sleep may return again quickly.

16) Keep Calm - And Carry On!!

When you are having bad nights sleep. Try to take it easy during the day, don't make any rash decisions and be gentle to yourself. Arguments always seem to occur when we are at our tiredest. So take a deep breath and carry on. Tomorrow is another night and you will get a better nights sleep tomorrow.

My own personal sleep pattern has improved greatly by being mindful and implementing the above measures. It is not perfect and I do get bad nights from time to time - like last night (only 2 hours sleep!!).

May your sleep get better and may you personally flourish - mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Rest, Relax and Enjoy Life,

With Love,

Sage. XX

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Kingdom Plants is here to help make your outside space into a mini oasis. A place you can sit and take time out, listen to the birds and celebrate life. As always, a big thank you to all my clients many of whom are becoming good friends.

My Dad - Andrew Peacock - Died Yesterday

Sun, 07 Jun 2020 16:34:44 GMT

The Battle Is Won!!

My Dad Died Yesterday.
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Some of my customers might know. But my Dad had been battling cancer for a couple of years. And just recently he won the battle (I say won - he died yesterday). But you dont loose the battle against Cancer. Everyone who has ever died of Cancer has won in my eyes. Especially my dad. He was a warrior and I have learned from his quiet get on and do attitude to dealing with it.
My Dad was a big supporter of this little business venture - Kingdom Plants. And followed every development with pride and great interest. He was perhaps my greatest supporter along with my wife.

I used and abused (broke) his mower when I couldn't afford my own. He ran his own businesses for most of his life. And now I find myself inspired to do the same. It is perhaps why we had such a special connection the daring to believe that you can do it on your own. And make it happen.

I plan to carry on my gardening through this period of loss as much as I can.
It is good to work with your hands and my gardening and plants business will give a welcome focus.

Thanks always to all my customers and supporters. Those I know personally and those who follow me from a distance. Thanks also to my wife and kids (another good support) without whom I would be lost.

My love to you all.

Adrian.
Kingdom Plants. Xxx

Gardening - is Healing!!

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 22:18:18 GMT

Get Stuck Into The Garden - During Coronavirus Lockdown.....

The British Prime Minister - has just announced a lock-down for Great Britain to help in the fight against Coronavirus.

Which effectively means that individuals and small families - are now isolated within their homes.

If you have a garden - this is the year to get out and get stuck in. This is the year - to dust of your spade and get digging for victory! We may be stuck on our own little plots - but we are all potential gardeners. Get out and weed. And seed - and feed those neglected plants and plots. Sit on your bench - and enjoy the garden with your little family. Or if you are on your own. Get out in the fresh air and enjoy the sound of the birds. They are free. They are little pieces of joy.

We will be free again. As free as our beloved robin. We will sing again - and dance. And laugh - and kiss and hug and sneeze in public again!!

If your garden is a blank canvas - get out and start digging. Make a plan - mark out a bed. And dig for victory. If you have kids - get them involved. Ditch the xbox - and let them dig a hole!

Don't waste this opportunity to love your garden. And for your garden to love you back!!

There is healing outside in the soil. Healing for body, soul and spirit. You are a gardener in your heart and in your heart you are free.

Bless you and all of my customers at this difficult, fearful and frankly mad time. While there is not much we can do to change circumstances - we can keep a positive frame of mind and enjoy our own little kingdoms!!

Time to keep calm and carry on loving your gardens......we will get through this crisis together.

Love from Sage XXXX

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Kingdom Plants - is a small business - with one single aim. To make your garden as special as possible. Contact me if you want to give your plot - 'The Kings Treatment'.

Poem - Gardening In The Heart

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 21:05:35 GMT

The Gardener - Who Transforms The Heart

Gardening In The Heart
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Lord - go gardening in my heart,
Unearth, my hidden treasure,
My lost art, measure out,
The part, that I kept hidden,
For fear the light might, find me out,
Might find me wanting,
Garden, in my unlovely heart,
Unearth, the gems, the guilty pleasures,
And bring out my gold,
The untold, unknown, bold child,
Him that got lost,
And wound up, with so much more,
A fullsome store.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

God, fashion, me a place,
In your forever. Assure me of,
Grace and favour, that out of harms way,
We could come out spotless,
And free.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

In the silence, where you remain,
And words and wonders are displayed,
And the garden of my heart,
Yields blooms, to testify of you,
My tended, nurtured, made whole heart,
And the soulful soil, is tilled,
Sifted and mended.
Seeds planted, and coaxed to life,
Bright seeds of ideas and actions,
And words, blended,
Motions, that have their places,
And times and seasons.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

God gives life and takes it,
Where the weeds must die,
And the fruit tree - makes it.
He will have his way.

Xxxxxxxxxxx

Someone asks - why and wherefore,
God sais why not, and why care,
Trust is love - for the one,
The gardener - knows the way, and the why,
His seasons, are reasons to rejoice,
Without rain what good is the sun,
And who knows fun, without knowing pain,
But he paid the price,
And we walk in benefit,
The you and the me, we,
Who lived and loved, made able,
Have lives that he set free.

The Man of 1000 Languages!!

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 14:44:07 GMT

How my favourite customer taught me Polish!!

My favourite customer - loved his coffee. Strong pots of coffee that I shared with him - while he explained history, language, geography, religion, culture. I loved my chats with him - the wise man of 1000 languages. He was my first and favourite customer he was the late great Aidan Cahill.

Aidan was an amazing man who spent his life translating and learning languages. He worked for the university and laterly for the ministry of defence - designing courses to make language learning a little easier for the recruits. In the process he learned dozens of languages.

I remember his daughter bought him Harry Potter in 7 different languages. Which he read for fun! I was suitably impressed.

My first winter with him he patiently taught me Polish - for free. I was an awful student who didn't do his homework. But we formed a warm friendship.

I am honoured to have worked on transforming his garden. He knew I didn't know much about gardening - but he gamely asked and trusted my advice anyway. I cut my teeth as a rookie gardener in his garden. I kept him going with the promise of spring - and he kept me going with a fatherly devotion. I loved him deeply and I wasn't planning to let him go without a fight. As a mark of his dogged get on attitude I only learned he had cancer after well over a year of knowing him.

With Aidan I encouraged him to indulge himself on the garden. He had been fairly careful during his life -but he enjoyed loosening the purse strings with me. And I had the pleasure of having carte blanche to do and spend as I wanted. His garden was a source of hope to him - and a legacy he wanted to work on with me. For him an enjoyable focus and perhaps a blessed release too. He would instruct me, council me, joke with me and reprimand me. I loved him unreservedly and would do anything for him.

We both knew he did not have forever - but I made him swear he wasn't going anywhere - he wasn't allowed to die. There was next year - and the blossom on his trees to look forward to. My customers are definately not allowed to die!

I am learning in gardening it seems an occupational hazard - that I will form strong bonds with my customers and they are not obliged to stay with me forever! And so the nature of seasons and time's march is inescapable - a tough lesson for an inpatient upstart guy like me.

I want to thank Aidan for the free education he gave me over the two years I knew him. He taught me Polish. Took me plant hunting for rare trees and treasures for his garden. I learned a lot - and he was kind enough to indulge me.

I remember my first season destroying his lawn and resurrecting it to rid it of moss. He took a big chance on me and it paid off - he was a little nervous but stuck with me. I remember his joy and enthusiasm. His fatherly talks - taking me under his wing. This last Christmas he wanted to buy me a turkey. And on Christmas eve I took ownership of the largest and finest free range turkey I have ever seen.

When great men go beyond - there is no fanfare. Or warning. Or goodbyes. Aidan will be kept in my heart as my first and favourite customer - all other customers will be measured against his yardstick - a tough act to follow.......

A brilliant man. The man who knew 1000 languages. A humble man. A kind man. My friend and fellow enthusiast.

You will be greatly missed - life will not be the same. You played your part in supporting my business - backing me as a gardener and a person. Enthusiastic and interested in my future - where I was going and how I would get there. Our ways have parted now - but your legacy carries on in my gardening. I plan to meet you again. And when I do you can show me round - where I will be gardening for you again no doubt.

Thank you.

From Your Hapless, Wannabe Rookie Gardener.

Sage XX

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Kingdom Plants is a small business with a big heart to serve you.

Next season is around the corner - and if you want a loyal gardener with a weakness for cups of tea, coffee and biscuits. Call me in to have a look. I am sure given some time and effort and working with you - I can make an improvement. Transforming your garden into a sanctuary, a little piece of heaven on earth.

New Wheels - A Shiny Red Van!

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 20:42:55 GMT

The Future is Bright - The Future Is Red!

We are in the Autumn of my second full years gardening with Kingdom Plants.

I have much to be thankful for - I have recently made an investment in a new van - a Ford Transit Connect - Long Wheel Base - Special Edition!! A vehicle that should serve me well. When I sit in it - I feel like I am at the controls of the star ship enterprise.

My boys love the van and want many trips in it. They are helping me work out how all the gadgets work. And finding all the cubby holes - places to keep things and store sweets etc..... I feel much like a little boy myself as I learn how to navigate it and enjoy all of its benefits - finding something new daily. I am blessed!

Thank you to my loyal customers this second year. Without your support and advice - I would not have got this far. And also thanks to my wife and family - who are saints to put up with me!

I am blessed to know some wonderful people through kingdom plants - it has helped bed me into the local Exeter community. And I feel certain that my vocation is my calling. It is a small world and one person knows another and that is how it grows. You are often as good as your last job - so to work hard and do your very best every time - is a good lesson for me.

The van - should extend my scope. It has internal racking which means I have a place for everything and everything in its place. Rather than ferreting around in the family ford focus - for tools and mowers - bags of grass and spiders.... My wife is already enjoying the benefits!

With a much more professional image I hope to be even more productive and efficient. We all need to start somewhere - but I believe this is working and the risk in terms of a van is a good one.

So if you see a red van - ford transit connect - a little like postman pat - that's me!

Onwards and upwards as my old office boss and I loved to say.

All the best,

Happy (Camper) Sage. xxx

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Kingdom Plants - is a small enterprise with a big heart to serve you. If I can do anything to help you transform your outside space. Please contact me and I will get you into my diary.

Time to light the fire - and put your feet up and dream of the garden next year............

next year will be the best year ever.........and that's how it should be!

Poem - A Bench In The Sun....

Wed, 10 Jul 2019 20:28:09 GMT

Bestowing a fine oak bench

I want to give a bench,
Full and fat and merry,
To everyone I love,
Of Oak & Ash & Cherry!

And sit it in the sun,
Where you might contemplate,
That you - are the one...
Might know you are great!

Love is a fine bench,
A Bird Box, or table,
Built by humble hand,
From Oak or Ash or Maple.

We'll feed the birds,
And Stop a while...
Knowing that we're able,
So Special, and so v beautiful!

The bench in heaven,
The one we sit upon,
We know it when we see it,
And share it there, together...
To celebrate our lives,
Our Moments spent forever,

Don't let another pass,
Of Hate, or pride or sadness.
Just, sit, relax, enjoy,
Forget the world of madness.

So when you sit,
And think of me,
Don't hold me too tightly,
Life and love and laughter,
Take life a little lighter.

You know....
Benches last forever,
Stitches in time, like mine,
They bind us all together,

You know....
Being happily sat,
Rhymes of mine, take time,
And Loves a little like that.

Sow A Seed!!

Sun, 23 Jun 2019 07:36:38 GMT

The Law Of Gardening & Giving

In keeping with the 'thought for the day' theme of the last two blogs - I consider the link between sowing seed and giving (tangible & intangible resources) - in terms of reaping what we would like to see in our lives.

In the natural world - we are able to sow seeds and plant plants - and if we follow the natural laws of gardening we can expect that seed to eventually multiply - or for the plant (maybe an apple tree) to get established and eventually start to produce fruit that we can enjoy and that birds and insects etc can prosper upon.

So a seed of wheat planted will produce many more seeds in time. And a plant once established can begin to change the environment in which its planted.

The Law Of Gardening Says >>>> What you plant - or allow to grow - will produce after its own kind.

The Law Of Giving Says >>>> Give what you most need - plant the seed of what you most want to see in your life. And you will reap that benefit back into your life in time.

The natural world and the spiritual/mental and emotional worlds are closely linked. So not only physical seeds and plants work under this law - other tangibles like money and other physical resources work this way. Intangibles like joy/peace and patience work this way, along with hate/unforgiveness/anger and envy. God has set up the universe to be a giving and receiving exchange. This works counter to what we might expect. By giving and sowing - we set up a law which guarantees that we will receive the resource that has been sowed back into our lives.

If we sow peace, patience and kindness into our situations - our own experience becomes more peaceful and in that way we are able to rise above circumstances and help to ensure a happier environment. Encounter all things with a sense of joy and thankfulness and we set ourselves up for good mental health and find that that joy transforms the world around us. Sometimes hard unloving people are softened by carrying joy into the situation.

Is our universe a happy place - and if it isn't why isn't it? The attitude we choose to sow has a great impact on our experience of the world as well as other peoples experience. If we are living in a hateful/unkind world - sometimes we need to check what we are sowing? We may not have control over others attitudes - but we do have control over how we show up.

If we react automatically to the world around us - it can sometimes fall to the lowest common denominator. In a garden setting land left to itself will go back to forest in time. With weeds, brambles, trees etc.

Give it a go. Have an experiment. Enlarge your heart to give away something that you most want or need. It takes trust and discipline and maybe a touch of madness to do that. But I have been surprised by putting these principles into practice. So for example helping someone else's business has lead to my own business being more prosperous. Giving to people - unexpected bonuses in the course of my work and life - builds solid relationships - where I become more confident and assured in my own provision and others know the kindness of God in their lives.

The garden offers a wonderful illustration of our lives - we can tend and cultivate a good garden. So that what we plant now - and what we don't plant now - is what we can expect our gardens to produce in the days and years to come.

Through watchful patience we can produce a garden, or a life that is productive and fruitful and a place in which it is a joy to live. By making good decisions about how we are going to show up in life - what is planted will be the good things we want to see in our gardens.

Happy Gardening & Happy Giving,

Sage X

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Kingdom Plants carries a different sort of philosophy from the average business. We are in business to add more than is taken - to leave gardens and environments better. To work on continually improving your environment - because a well kept garden benefits our own well being and maybe raises happiness in the whole neighbourhood.

If you need a bit more happiness in your garden - contact us - for a professional unfussy service - geared to your own personal circumstances. Thank you.

God Is A Gardener!!

Sat, 11 May 2019 21:21:02 GMT

And We Are His Garden >>>>

We have an open invitation - and God wants to work on us and help us to have an amazing inner garden!

I realised recently that I am a gardener - and I pray that God will help me be the best gardener I can be.

You have a garden - an inner garden - and God wants access to your garden to tend it and look after it. He is for you and not against you - he has wonderful plans. He has a beautiful design in mind. He wants to show you what you were designed to do. He has the blue print - the instruction manual - and he knows how we best fit.

When we come in line with Gods best plan for us - instead of swimming against the tide - we begin to ride the wave - going in the natural direction for us. Not everyone is a gardener - but God knows who we are - what makes us tick. We can trust him for something amazing today.....

Ask Him - "What would make me happy?" And listen for the answer - trust God that he can show you.

Just over a year ago my life went off the beaten track - I lost my 9 to 5 office job while trying to take the next rung on the career ladder - I lost my footing and found myself out on my ear! It was at that point that I re-opened the question - "What would make me happy?" I was tired of the one way conversation between me and God - me talking and talking and then running off. I now realise that it doesn't have to be one way and that he may have something to tell me. God inspires. He will speak if we are expectant - and if we invite him and allow him to speak.

I asked the question - "What will make me happy" - a year or so ago. A few moments later the answer - "Propagating Plants!" dropped into my mind. I trusted that response as Gods voice - and started busily working in that direction.

Looking back - it fits me and fits me into place. I think the creator - knows what his creation should do to be happy. I can attest that since I struck out in that direction - I have been happier and more well adjusted in Mind, Body & Spirit - than I ever have been. A large claim I know.

If you are searching - and need some answers for the situation you are in - ask God and be expectant for him to answer. We can ask the questions that plague many people. Why am I here? And what must I do? And then trust that he can tell us.

I know that this blog is pretty out there - but I have nothing to hide. I am a follower of Jesus. He invites us to have a relationship with him. Its a simple thing between you - or me and God. Its not half as complicated as people want to make it. On a good day - it is an easy like conversation between me and him. Working my way through each day with him.

Because God is a gardener - he helps me garden - and to be the best gardener I can be.

Thanks for listening,

Happy Sage.

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Kingdom Plants is a small business with a massive heart to help serve the local community in Exeter. Helping people to enjoy and connect to their outside spaces. To tame gardens and personalise them, working with you on the plot you have. I believe in going the extra mile and always giving much more than I take. It is in all the little details that I can start to make a difference.

A big thank you to my loyal customers.

<<< Thank you >>>

5 Lessons From The Robin>>>

Fri, 12 Apr 2019 20:35:23 GMT

Reflecting on the life of my constant gardening companion.

Walking around - pottering and working in the garden - it struck me the other day - the dichotomy between my now gardening persona and my old office worker incarnation.

I had done the work for a few hours in a customer garden - and I became distracted by a robin and his friend who were buzzing around as I gardened.

It strikes me that having time to enjoy nature is fundamental for me and I would venture for you too. Time to slow down and smell the roses and just be. Gardening - offers little moments of that time and space. Bird song is a lesson in taking time to be in the moment and enjoy the simple pleasures in life. A good philosophy in my humble opinion.

I am really enjoying the process of life as a gardener at the moment. It seems honest and hard work is suiting me.

I spoke to my brother who is an awesome office manager - who earns twice my income and I realised I would not swap my income for his - to move back to the office. Being interrupted by a Robin and his mate - is a long way from life in an office.

The humble Robin - offered me a few simple truths - that I believe make life a little more easy. A little more lighter. And maybe little more manageable.

Lesson 1 - from the Robin. >>> Trust God - for each days provision. Be it....work. finance. food. friends. health. The robin is never mindful or worried about his life and provision. He takes each day at a time.

Lesson 2 - from the Robin. >>> Lighten Up - don't take life too seriously - and take time to enjoy. The robin sings his heart out because he is enjoying the process he is in!!

Lesson 3 - from the Robin. >>> Go - where your heart leads - with trust comes the freedom to step out and be what you are called to be. The robin goes from here to there. There is no pressure - he flits around. Finding a worm here and there - without undue care in how the process unfolds.

Lesson 4 - from the Robin. >>> Be Happy - and make someone else happy. Live in your sweet spot and live a life of celebration. Life is short - we owe it to ourselves and those we love to do what will make us happy. The robin was there just for me. He sang - just for me. Our happiness is for us - but also for the person/people you are with. We are making a difference in peoples lives by our attitude to life. The small things all add up. Listening to the Robin sing and taking that time to celebrate in his song and enjoy the moment. Remind us to celebrate all the little things in life.

Lesson 5 - from the Robin. >>> Like the Robin - follow the rhythms that God puts in place. Seasons teach us a time to rest and recouperate and a time to be out and about - gathering worms. There is something specific in each circumstance that we can learn.

On days like today - sharing the garden with my little companion reminds me how fortunate I am. I am a happy sage on days like today. Days where we get to choose where we go and what we do - within reason. Gardening as a lifestyle - brings me in constant contact with the humble Robin. Him and his humble relation to the creator - remind me that I too can learn some of his simple reliance and trust in the process. Trusting that the next meal will be there. Trusting that the next job will be a good one. Trusting that I can make a difference in peoples lives. And trusting that life will be Ok - and that I will find enjoyment in the process.

Lessons from the robin - a little gardening companion - remind me how precious life should be. He is a precious treasure to me - a reminder that however busy I am in the garden. I always have time to stop and enjoy his presence.

Thanks and happy gardening.

Sage. X

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Kingdom Plants is a fledgling gardening company with a massive heart to help tame and transform your outside spaces. I am confident that given a little time and effort - I can improve your garden - and make it a more inviting and special place to be. If you need a gardener - and you can find me - call in the 'A(drian) Team!!

The Fine Art of Pottering >>>>> With HB......

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 21:51:10 GMT

How to slow down and smell the roses!

I want to tell you about one of my first and favourite customers - HB.

He passed away last Saturday.

In the short time that I knew him - I came to love him. He was unhurried. He was unstoppable. He was my friend.

He taught me the unforced art of pottering - I caught it through osmosis!! HB & I spent time pottering. He did it brilliantly (years of practice) and I apprenticed myself to him - without knowing it I was learning how to Potter.

We must make time to potter. To slow down and smell the roses.....

Definition Pottering (Cambridge Dictionary) : To move around without hurrying, and in a relaxed and pleasant way

Isn't that wonderful!

Pottering is an essentual skill. It includes wandering about the garden with no fixed agenda. Deadheading here. Or teasing the soil there. Or lining up tools. Basically doing a whole lot of nothing. Pottering allows time and space. It is where the best ideas come from. While pottering - we adjust, order (in our minds), rest (throw brain into neutral), think (gently find first gear), ponder (maybe engage first gear, maybe not) , disengage ( & switch off the engine for while). We allow ourselves time apart to go nowhere and do nothing of any consequence. Not outwardly productive but inwardly regenerative.... Good for the mind and soul!

With HB - Cups of tea - took on a whole new light. They offered time to take it in - he didn't hurry me on looking at the clock - and I loved him for that. But Pottering is not laziness. There was time for hard work - and I worked harder for HB than any of my customers - building up my stamina and a fine sweat in the process!

So - the humble cup of tea and the bench - they are the cornerstone of a good potterer - along with rich tea biscuits (or chocolate - I'm not fussy!). I would sit with him and quietly spend some of the best moments of my life. Nothing unusual. Just allowing me time and space to sit. He had time - and he shared it with me and it meant the world to me.

I was honoured to know HB - I spent my first season and his last season together in his beloved garden. He taught me a few things in his unhurried way. Like how to enjoy a tomato - with a little salt of course. Or how to use his mattock to dig over ground - a revelation to his young follower. We would joke about how I would inherit it - how ironic!

He showed me how to use a fork properly. To get out every trace of bramble roots. Simple skills - but skills he patiently showed a young upstart nobody, wanabe gardener. He didn't expect the earth from me and he was willing to teach me - and I loved him for it.

His energy and enthusiasm for the tasks I had been given rivaled mine at times. He had get up and go. He did helpfully slow my pace - as I kept him out and about.

If we want to go on long in life (HB Had!) we must keep at it. Keep doing. And dreaming and making. HB Did. We must have a go. Turn our hand to the impossible job (H.B. Built his own conservatory - along with many other structural projects). He was building a little wall - when he barely had the strength to lift the stones. What an example for me. Or anyone.

Cups of tea. Bags of sweet tomatos. His amazing blueberry collection. They are wonderful momentos of his generous nature.

In honour of our friendship and his support for me and my gardening venture - I hauled a bench into his garden towards the end of Autumn. The one in the above picture. I would have liked to sit and share the bench with him. To enjoy his enjoyment of it - but it was not to be. I know he was chuffed with it. But I definatedly wanted more time with him.

So this coming season - I will be building the wall he started. And drinking the tea and taking time to Potter and to be with him - in his beloved garden. You always had more work for me to do in your garden........how you managed that I will not know!!

You are bloody missed!!!

Thank you.

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Kingdom Plants - is a small gardening and plant propagation enterprise. This coming season looks to be building up to a busy one. Thank you to my loyal customers, and I look forward to working in your gardens - to slowly change and transform them. Without you and your support I would not have been able to get to my second year.

Thankyou. And happy gardening.

Sage. X

#GetGardening #GetGrowing.....

Fri, 01 Feb 2019 11:36:10 GMT

Physical // Mental // Spiritual & Emotional Health

This new year I want to encourage you to have a go at growing. I have found that growing plants is a fundamental connection to the earth. It literally grounds us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Grounding us by slowing us down and bringing us more in synch with the changing of the seasons and the pace of plant growth. Technology and the general speed of life in the modern world is urging us to a pace of life that is not sustainable. Gardening and growing offers a counterbalance which helps build in patience and peace. It allows our lives to have a chance to slow down a little and follow seasons more closely, coming more into line with them.

There is no rush in nature - and there need be no rush in our lives too.

Tinkering in the garden and in and out of potting sheds allows time and space to think. Digging the ground over offers physical effort that can allow the brain to go into neutral and the body to dictate the pace. So that in the process of manual labour - worries etc and every other problem in the world that bombards us regulary - can take a back seat.

The process of improving and transforming a space or working the ground - the fruits of our labours, are literally evident. With technology and office work the divorce between efforts and results often means that the treadmill takes over and the realisation of an end result is not tangible enough. Gardening and growing is a tangible effort with a tangible reward and so can be singularly rewarding for emotional well being.

The garden offers a space that can be personalised and in which the personality can be physicalised into your environment. A process that takes time and creativity to produce. Creating is good for us.

Solitude and restfulness can be built into your garden. A bench in a quiet corner offers a tranquil spot to return to. To build in slowing down and appreciating surroundings. To celebrate a particular rose in full bloom. To ponder and wonder and think deeply. Or maybe just to let the mind go blank. To listen to bird song and feed a robin. All good things for us.

So my encouragement to you - is to get gardening this year. Pick up grandads old unused tools. It need not be expensive. A few second hand tools (Men In Sheds, Exeter) is all you need. A packet of seeds. Or a cheap plant from Plants Galore......

Start small - get a pot plant into your house and learn to look after it. A bright window sill - do not water the plant when the soil is like a damp sponge. Water the plant when it is like a dry sponge. Simple.

Buy a plant for your garden. Start small. Buy one plant and learn its name. Its as simple as that. Plant it in a spot in your garden. Most spots will be fine. Read the instructions that come with the plant. There are rules and regulations for successful growing but these get picked up over time. The child grows his first sunflower in whatever spot he finds. And normally nature takes care of the process along with loads of enthusiastic over/under watering.

The seasons are a slow process. There is time to think and reflect and there is no hurry to have everything right straight away. The process is one of trial and error - for even the most accomplished gardener or grower things die. They just do. Don't be daunted by all the names latin or otherwise. Don't overthink or overly worry about every aspect - it is not life or death.

Additionally - God - The Creator - The Gardener - can be found outside in the elements. I have had a few productive conversations - as I slow down. While cutting a plant - How should I cut this plant God? For me spiritually - the peace and quiet of the garden - away from distractions. Allows me to connect. To slow down enough to take my life off the agenda and allow God peace, space and time to talk to me.

This year - I urge you to take a break from the daily grind. Simplify and slow down more. Spend more time outside. More time connected to the seasons through the simple pleasure of gardening and plants.

Happy Gardening in 2019.

Love from - Sage.

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Kingdom Plants - exists to promote gardening and growing - to help tame and manage outside spaces. Helping to manage and create gardens to sit in and enjoy. I provide a gardening service tailored to your needs. Listening to what you want to do and achieve and working with you and nature to improve and manage your outside space.

On a good day. I have a cup of tea in hand and a biscuit and there is a chance of some sun.

I operate in Exeter, Devon and the surrounding area. Please contact me if I can help you in any way.

Men In Sheds - Old Guys Rule!!

adrian_peacock@hotmail.com (Adrian Peacock) — Wed, 10 Oct 2018 08:31:24 GMT

Men In Sheds - A Better Idea Than Sliced Bread!!

Back in April 2018 - when I started Kingdom Plants - I stumbled across "Men In Sheds"..... Men in sheds is an organisation set up by age concern for guys over the age of 50. These guys have organised themselves into a little support network who foster a great attitude and help these fellas of varying levels of ability to have a really useful function and to function as an amazing rapidly growing micro business.

Headed up by Martin - The Business Brain - I was given a tour of the HQ. He generously showed me around and what a great site they have. Later I met several of the other guys who are helping oversee - you can see these guys have massive hearts - to help.

The guys gathered round and we talked enthusiastically about doing up a bench - what I didn't realise is that life is going back into these guys and they have new a found use. They are not cast offs - they are being cast back on and continuing to take their places in lifes rich tapestry.

I was given a tour around the HQ. They have a section for reconditioning tools - they take worn out tools - sharpen, oil and generally love them back into existence. They also do a range of wood working on site and are producing all sorts of stuff. Bird Tables - in fact anything bird related. Truggs and anything else they can conjour up. Including awesomely made benches.

Pop along to their shop on Paris Street - Exeter. You wont be disappointed. There is always a couple of old guys having fun behind the counter - just having a good time selling tools.

They have given life back into quite a few of my tools. I have a never bend shovel from them and it is hard to describe how happy I am with it - it is a spiritual experience using this shovel. I love it - literally.

Poking around in their shop - they have all sorts of old time wood working tools - Saws, Planes, Chisels, Hammers. A section of garden tools. Loads of screws etc. It is dangerous for me to go near that shop - because I am going to find something I want. I know you will want to go and have a visit too - give them something special to recondition, buy a tool or get some advice. These guys are awesome - just pop along and have a chat with the guys laughing behind the counter.

I have to say I came to Men in Sheds - as an upstart - with little understanding or insight into what they are doing. I underestimated them and their shear stubborn britishness. I loved them before I got to know them - I love them even more now because - they have taught me a few things. Their wisdom and easy like attitude - no nonsense and wise. Has taught me that as a young guy - I don't know it all - I am not the bees knees. That with the benefit of time - perhaps I could learn a great deal from people like those that are running Men In Sheds. They have values, integrity to make sure that everyone has a go. To look after their own - and put back into society more than they take.

Bless the men in sheds for many years too come!!

Thank you.

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Kingdom Plants is a gardening and plant propagation enterprise - operating in the Exeter and surrounding area. I enjoy helping people to tame their outside spaces, while sporting an array of assorted hats - to manage the great british weather!

Until Next Time - Happy Gardening.

Upcycling - Making Cash £££ From Trash!

adrian_peacock@hotmail.com (Adrian Peacock) — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 22:11:18 GMT

Where There's Muck - There's Brass....

In the course of my work as a gardener I get to visit the recycling centre from time to time. And as I am passing through - I am constantly surprised at the things that people throw away.

I can understand it - for the ultra tidy any extra baggage is a load too much to bear.

There are two major recycling centres in Exeter. One in which the public gets to dump everything in massive skips. And the other where it is spread out for all to see. As you can imagine the pickings are far richer at the one where everything is on display.

As someone who is working with plants and tools etc on a daily basis - I keep a keen eye open when I'm passing through.

There is literally no need to buy many of the items we routinely pay full price for. You need to be a little discerning, but if you are willing to sift through the recyclers Aladins Cave there is all sorts of interesting things. This definitely scratches my hording instinct - without breaking the bank!

£5 bought me some unwanted wood - which had already been machined and made smooth, including a large round fence post, a useful apple tree stake some fine, very fine panels of wood. I used the stake planting a clients Apple tree - the client remarked that he wondered if the apple tree was bomb proof on account of the sturdy handsome stake.... The rest is my winter project - bird tables / bird boxes & the odd bird palace. If you are one of my valued customers - you may well find a bespoke bird table adorning your outside space.

For the princely sum of - £1: I bought a 1940/1950 galvanised watering can and terracotta pot. Admittedly the can has a hole in the bottom. But with a couple of licks of radiator paint that I had left over I transformed it into a planter added a £2 lavender - and I now have a saleable item that would sit nicely in a little garden nook!!

If you are quick you can 'help' (relieve) someone of the items that they wish to dump as they come out of the back of their car. I have done this on a couple of occasions. I was pretty happy to help someone unload a large bag of small to medium sized terracotta pots - about 30 in all. Some were a little cracked. So I smashed those up as free crocks. And the rest are currently housing cuttings and plantlets which I may sell with antique terracotta pots included!

I know its not everyone's cup of tea - the hit and miss nature of upcyling - does not sit well with a culture that wants to buy what they want when they want it. Steptoe and Son need to be resurrected - they were ahead of their time!

Until Next Time - Happy Gardening.

Poem - I am a Gardener

adrian_peacock@hotmail.com (Adrian Peacock) — Thu, 17 May 2018 06:55:41 GMT

Celebrating Being A Gardener

The loam - tugs at my being,
It calls, it holds me,
Grounded, set apart and free.

I am a Gardener,
In my fibres - in my being,
It tells me.

In this rolling season,
Of sunshine, wind and rain.
The soil - comforts, reasures me,
That I am a Gardener,
Set apart and free.

The simple, stark, reality,
Of cold clean rain,
And the heat of the day,
Elements that wash me clean.

On early mornings,
The earth - tugs at my being,
It teaches me, saying:
“Slow down - breathe - remain”,
“In your heart - you are free”,
“You are a Gardener!”,
My son,
“You are a Gardener!”,
To me.

Kingdom Plants >>>> A Passion for Plants

adrian_peacock@hotmail.com (Adrian Peacock) — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 08:13:43 GMT

Getting Ready for A New Season

Kingdom Plants

Kingdom Plants has been growing organically over a period of time now. It is a small business with an ambitious heart and plans to grow further. It has the aim to help enhance and enrich local environments in the Exeter and surrounding areas.

This business will continue to function in two streams:

1) A Gardening Business - Exeter based - helping people make the most of their outside spaces

2) A Plant Growing Enterprise - Starting as a backyard nursery with hopes and dreams of more

I welcome continued local support to help this business thrive. I aim to help private home owners and local businesses to manage and maintain their outside spaces. Additionally - enhancing the home and office environment with beautiful house plants to lift the spaces and promote wellbeing and peace.

Happy Gardening!!

Adrian.

c62fd1bb

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Slow Progress - Could Be Better!

New Year - New Allotment!

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Back To Eden - Gardening Method

Keeping the soil covered with woodchip for fruit & veg growing

Poem - Scattered Seeds...A Message For My Boys

Poetry Book &gt;&gt; Gardening In The Heart

The Queen & Her Royal Neighbourhood!

Touching the lives of millions.....and what a life!

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Poetry Book &gt;&gt; Gardening In The Heart

Poem - Gardening In The Heart

Poetry Book &gt;&gt; Gardening In The Heart

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Poetry Book &gt;&gt; Gardening In The Heart

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A prayer from a gardener who gardens in the heart

Slow Living

Plant & Nurture A Tree

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Physical, Mental, Emotional & Spiritual - maintaining a healthy balance

How To Garden >>> Organic Gardening

In tune with the natural world - Doing no harm!

How To Garden >>> Maintaining A Garden

Keeping your garden looking good - year round

How To Garden >>> Creating A Garden

What to consider - the design process

How To Garden >>> Propagation

Making little plants - multiply!

How To Garden >>> Roses

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How To Garden >>> Fruit Trees

Maximize your fruiting potential - a real bounty!

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You don't need £1000's worth of tools - just get started...

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Every man's pride and joy - A lush green lawn

How To Garden >>> Pruning

Q) When & How? A) Now Is The Time!!

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Give plants the best chance - timing is everything

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Merry Christmas Everyone!

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Designing an intentional life

Less - Is More!! - Small is Beautiful.

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Finding your Rhythm - Adjusting, establishing and maintaining healthy daily routines

My Dad - Andrew Peacock - Died Yesterday

The Battle Is Won!!

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The Man of 1000 Languages!!

How my favourite customer taught me Polish!!

New Wheels - A Shiny Red Van!

The Future is Bright - The Future Is Red!

Poem - A Bench In The Sun....

Bestowing a fine oak bench

Sow A Seed!!

The Law Of Gardening & Giving

God Is A Gardener!!

And We Are His Garden &gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;

5 Lessons From The Robin>>>

Reflecting on the life of my constant gardening companion.

The Fine Art of Pottering >>>>> With HB......

How to slow down and smell the roses!

#GetGardening #GetGrowing.....

Poetry Book >> Gardening In The Heart

Poetry Book >> Gardening In The Heart

Poetry Book >> Gardening In The Heart

Poetry Book >> Gardening In The Heart

And We Are His Garden >>>>