Brash McKelvie – The chicken that sat on a goose egg

Scottish Field’s online columnist Brash McKelvie has found some unexpected new arrivals in the woodshed. Here are the cast of characters that share the vicissitudes of life: Scragend – a Rhode Island Red of indeterminate age and foul nature. Shitting Cat – does exactly what it says on the tin. The Beloved – a paragon…

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A spring fling in celebration of the daffodil

Throw off the winter blues with a visit to Rossie, the art and science-inspired garden packed with colour and creativity. Caroline Thomson is passionate about her work in preserving the heritage collection of Backhouse daffodils at Rossie Arts Garden in Fife with her husband Andrew. An artist and sculptor, who is a direct descendent of…

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Brash McKelvie – There’s a rat in my shed. What am I going to do?

Scottish Field’s online columnist Brash McKelvie has found some unexpected new arrivals in the woodshed. Here are the cast of characters that share the vicissitudes of life: Scragend – a Rhode Island Red of indeterminate age and foul nature. Shitting Cat – does exactly what it says on the tin. The Beloved – a paragon…

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Gardener says snowdrops help beat the winter blues

One of Scotland’s leading gardeners has urged Scots to get out and enjoy the first signs of spring at this year’s Snowdrop Festival, which takes place from this weekend until 11 March. Brian Cunningham, head gardener at Scone Palace and BBC Beechgrove Garden presenter, is looking forward to welcoming the public to enjoy the freshly…

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How to garden in a cold climate

Angela Slater from Hayes Garden World gives some advice on your garden during the winter months. Gardening in a cold climate can be challenging, but not impossible provided that you choose plants which are adapted for extreme conditions. If you want to grow more tender plants, these will require a frost-free greenhouse for the winter,…

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Volunteers wanted for Big Garden Birdwatch

This weekend (25-27 January), RSPB Scotland is celebrating over four decades of Big Garden Birdwatch, and asking people to join in with the citizen science project by dedicating just one hour of their time. Last year over 32,000 people took part across Scotland, and house sparrows took the top spot for the 8th year running,…

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Becky puts best feet forward for struggling gardeners

An Edinburgh horticulture student will walk more than 150 miles along the Great Wall of China to raise money for struggling gardeners. Becky Cross, who is studying Horticulture with Plantsmanship at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), is hoping to raise £3000 for Perennial – a charity which supports people working in horticulture. The challenge will see…

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Herbal garden brings a sense of well-being

Have some happy tea,’ says Terrill Dobson. ‘Every visitor to my garden must have some.’ Leading the way into her consulting room she hands me what she later reveals as a blend of chamomile, lime flower, rose and lavender. Subtle, fragrant and delicious, this aptly-named brew encapsulates the ethos of Logie, her Angus herb garden.…

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Garden design firm recognised in national awards

A Scots garden design and landscaping company, Papillon, has been shortlisted for four awards in this year’s Association of Professional Landscapers’ Awards. Three projects in the north-east have been shortlisted across four categories, that include: a sensory garden at CLAN Cancer Support; a steading garden in Ellon and a large country garden in Hatton of…

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The ultimate guide to 2020 gardening trends

As a brand-new decade begins, Christmas trees are taken down and resolutions are made; the promise of things to come provides the perfect time to start planning for the year ahead. With warmer weather on the horizon and spring drawing closer, the UK’s leading garden centre, Dobbies, has released their expert insights into the trends…

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