Carrying on the tradition, my garden is different from any other and full of surprises, as nature itself is full of surprises. With pretty much equal measures of success and failure, some things will grow; other things refused to grow; and yet other things self-seeded and grow by themselves. If they are happy and present no harm, I leave them alone, otherwise I move them to a better place to thrive. I tried to develop a “nature” or “wildlife” garden. It was OK but it didn’t quite hit the mark or look right. My approach was too orderly, and nature isn’t like that. So this year I followed the “no mow May” approach for the benefit of wildlife. I continue to pull out the weeds; I mow a path through the long grass, but otherwise I let everything grow as it is intended to do. I concede that Nature has been at it a lot longer than me, and that Nature’s hand has done a much better job than I ever could. It is now a proper nature garden for all to enjoy. I am sure that we all try to do our best with the gifts that we possess. Sometimes we are pleased, even surprised with our achievements, sometimes things don’t work out as expected… But oh what luck I get with things I never even planted!

A Message to all - continued