I can help you reconnect to the natural world

& find a slower, more creative, more joyful way of life.

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Autumn to Spring - Extending the seasons in the kitchen garden

When I first began growing vegetables in my mid twenties, I tended to sow everything in a rush in the Spring, panicking to get everything into the ground - and then completely forget about succession sowing. There would plenty to harvest from mid summer until late August . . . but then things petered out and by late September there would be very little growing.

It took a while to realise that - with a little extra planning - I could not only extend the season into October, but also get a head start on the following year with things that would give me crops in March and April if treated properly. If it was a mild winter I could do even better, and be picking from the garden on all but the coldest days.

This course takes you step by step through lots of different ways to extend the season. Methods that I have tried out in my garden in the middle of Scotland.

I talk about what varieties are at their best if sown in late July/early August to harvest through the autumn, how to protect crops from the worst of the winter weather, how to get the best from your greenhouse or cold frame and what you can grow even if you don't have a garden.

The lessons are a mix of videos, text, photos and downloads and will be posted each week from 13th July until mid August.

Once you have bought the course or become a Studio Club member you get immediate access.

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Snapdragon social

It’s the private view of the exhibition From the Land @fodderandfarm tonight and the exhibition runs until 17th (open 12-5 each day). 
It’s part of @forthvalleyartbeat trail of Open Studios. 

I have some work in the exhibition- showing alongside @allthatisbraw, @kevinharri and @katgoldin and the whole show has been curated by Kevin. 

In today’s film I’m talking about the build up to the week and all the doubts that came up in my mind. 

Was the work I was showing good enough? Was I good enough? Am I even an artist. 

The link is in my profile - 
I’d love to know if it resonates with anyone. 

#scottishartist #selftaughtartist #forthvalleyartbeat
I don't think that I have ever seen the hawthorn looking as amazing as it does this year - great white billowing mounds, right along the valley. 
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I have had some leaves and twigs, pruned from a hedge, in the dye pot this week - such gorgeous colours.
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I will put up a reel later showing the five colours of wool that came out of the pot.
This should be titled
I've been making some very short films - a way of getting my 10,000 hours in, of getting used to filming through the day.
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I put these buttercups in a jar for one of them - for these are my favourite flowers of late Spring/early Summer.  I'm arranging some flowers for an event next week and am crossing my fingers that the buttercups are still in bloom.
The hedges - planted twenty years ago to shelter us from the winds that funnel up through the valley and down across the fields - are in many ways the best thing in the garden.
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Thick and home to countless birds, at this time of year they vibrate with song and rustling, edges fringed in bright, light spring green.
This week I have been resting a lot to try and get rid of the shingles that developed as I headed north for my birthday weekend. 
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So this week’s Friday film I’m talking about the frustration of not being to do as much of things as I would like to - especially at a time of year when there is SO MUCH TO DO! 
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You get to see all the sad seedlings waiting to go into the garden and an insight into what I do when my energy and to do list don’t match up.

#chronicfatigue #addisonsdisease #scottishartist #chronicillness
This month’s workshop in The Studio Club is about printing with plants - it’s a chance to learn an ancient technique, slightly adapted so we don’t set fire to ourselves. 

There is still time to join us - the link is in my profile - and all May Studio Clubbers get the course to keep. 

I’ve added in a reel showing making this in slightly speeded up time! 

#printingwithplants #thestudioclub  #snapdragonlife #createsomethingeveryday
Sweet rocket at dusk, surrounded by moths and perfuming the paths.  A plant I wouldn't be without. 
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Here is my annual reminder that it is time to sow biennials. It is so easy to forget in the bustle and busyness of - all those plants that fill out the late May and June garden need to be sown now to flower next year.
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For some - especially if you run a relaxed garden - this is a case of making sure that they self sow, or sprinkling some seed in a suitable place.  Others need a little more cosseting.
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If you are a Studio Clubber there is a download of my favourite plants and top tips for growing them in the Studio Club Library.
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About Snapdragon Life

At Snapdragon Life I help bring the changing seasons into your daily life, helping you slow down, so that you can experience increased well being, calm and creativity.

Find out more about The Studio Club

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