Dysfunctional Planner

Today was bramble day.

I have to cut them all back and dig them up. Today was a cutting day not a digging day. This took me almost 3 hours to cut it right back but I am pleased as punch with my efforts.

Brambles are resilient, and beautiful.

Tip: Wear clothes that cover your arms and legs, thorns rip through your clothes shoes and skin!

So cover up.

I like to photograph my progress and sometimes you have better days than others.

Brambles create a lot of food and shelter for wildlife. They are integral to gardens, hedgerows and wild areas. So cutting them back I do feel mean, especially when I find ladybirds and snails happily snuggling in the branches.

Tip : Blackberries are delicious and good for you and the birds, so cultivate a patch just for you to enjoy.

You are going to get pricked, I have nice thick gloves but those thorns are so sharp that you have to appreciate there design.

We bought this house over a year ago. The gardens were a big reason why were excited to live here. To have this much space in London is a real privilege.

It was really overgrown (above) you can see all the brambles around. It’s was a big task and I managed to tackle the majority in the winter months last year. I battles them for a few hours each weekend through rain or snow, just to keep on top of them.

Tip: If you want to get rid of them, you have dig the roots out.

Brambles are so resilient that even if you snap the roots they can grow back. So it can be a long process.

I love these jobs. My brain just focuses on what my hands are doing. I listen to music or just listen to the bird song. I sometimes convince myself I am in the middle of the countryside rather than zone 6.

Tip: Dead or dying brambles are just as sharp as fresh ones. So tidy as you go and put them away.

I feel great, like I have achieved so much. I can now see the 3 trees Gavin’s grandad planted years ago. They are in a terrible state but I pruned them back so they can put some focus on growing rather than producing, at least till they get big and strong.

I will update you when I create a pumpkin patch.

So tell the people you love, you love them, and check your stool it may save your life.