Alan Down
@downtoearthalan.bsky.social
#Garden writer, #blogger, app content, TV/radio, #wildlife, #gardening, #plantgeek, Master of Hort, #NSch, Horticultural Trades Association Immediate Past President.
Sharing gardening info from my relatively new 1 acre garden.
https://down-to-earth.co.uk/
Sharing gardening info from my relatively new 1 acre garden.
https://down-to-earth.co.uk/
Lovely surprise to see @shegrowsveg.bsky.social seed range on sale at #TheNewtinSomerset!
November 19, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Lovely surprise to see @shegrowsveg.bsky.social seed range on sale at #TheNewtinSomerset!
Algerian iris (Iris unguicularis) already putting on a good show! Planted close to a wall where it thrives in the dry soil there.
November 18, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Algerian iris (Iris unguicularis) already putting on a good show! Planted close to a wall where it thrives in the dry soil there.
In spite of the grey skies today Cotoneaster horizontals - growing out of the top of a wall - is bright and cheerful!
November 14, 2025 at 2:15 PM
In spite of the grey skies today Cotoneaster horizontals - growing out of the top of a wall - is bright and cheerful!
After the heatwave, lots of Wisteria seed pods.
They are covered in fine hairs - not frost!
They are covered in fine hairs - not frost!
November 14, 2025 at 11:49 AM
After the heatwave, lots of Wisteria seed pods.
They are covered in fine hairs - not frost!
They are covered in fine hairs - not frost!
Mahonia x media Winter Sun still amongst the very best #autumn flowering shrubs. #inmygardennow
Having recently seen the exciting RHS trial, there will soon be other excellent choices!
Having recently seen the exciting RHS trial, there will soon be other excellent choices!
November 12, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Mahonia x media Winter Sun still amongst the very best #autumn flowering shrubs. #inmygardennow
Having recently seen the exciting RHS trial, there will soon be other excellent choices!
Having recently seen the exciting RHS trial, there will soon be other excellent choices!
Just 10 days from starting we have fantastic pink oyster #mushrooms !
These kits from Merryhill Mushrooms really deliver!
#gifted
These kits from Merryhill Mushrooms really deliver!
#gifted
November 7, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Just 10 days from starting we have fantastic pink oyster #mushrooms !
These kits from Merryhill Mushrooms really deliver!
#gifted
These kits from Merryhill Mushrooms really deliver!
#gifted
It’s ’just’ Old Man’s Beard (Clematis vitalba) but eye catching nevertheless.
#wildflowers
#wildflowers
November 6, 2025 at 7:52 AM
It’s ’just’ Old Man’s Beard (Clematis vitalba) but eye catching nevertheless.
#wildflowers
#wildflowers
Scarlet Hood Waxcap (Hygrocybe coccinea) above Church Knowle, Wareham, Dorset.
November 6, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Scarlet Hood Waxcap (Hygrocybe coccinea) above Church Knowle, Wareham, Dorset.
Those of you old enough will remember the spectacle that English elms gave to the late autumn #countryside!
Here is a little reminder. #trees
Here is a little reminder. #trees
November 2, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Those of you old enough will remember the spectacle that English elms gave to the late autumn #countryside!
Here is a little reminder. #trees
Here is a little reminder. #trees
The glowing translucent leaves of the smoke tree Cotinus x dummeri Grace. A vigorous hybrid between C. obovatus and coggygria Velvet Cloak. #inmygarden
October 25, 2025 at 2:03 PM
The glowing translucent leaves of the smoke tree Cotinus x dummeri Grace. A vigorous hybrid between C. obovatus and coggygria Velvet Cloak. #inmygarden
October 25, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Wonderful #autumn leaf colour on Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua)! Look at the varied colours on the north side (2nd pic). I’d recommend planting a named clone like Worplesdon or deeper purple Lane Roberts. Plant Slender Silhouette where space is very limited.
October 24, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Wonderful #autumn leaf colour on Sweet Gum (Liquidambar styraciflua)! Look at the varied colours on the north side (2nd pic). I’d recommend planting a named clone like Worplesdon or deeper purple Lane Roberts. Plant Slender Silhouette where space is very limited.
Stretching a net over your pond or stream prevents leaves getting into the water, which add unwanted nutrients and create harmful noxious gases. #gardentips
October 21, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Stretching a net over your pond or stream prevents leaves getting into the water, which add unwanted nutrients and create harmful noxious gases. #gardentips
A strong warning for shepherds this morning!
We get some fantastic sunsets here in the west but occasionally some stunning sunrises too.
We get some fantastic sunsets here in the west but occasionally some stunning sunrises too.
October 18, 2025 at 6:42 AM
A strong warning for shepherds this morning!
We get some fantastic sunsets here in the west but occasionally some stunning sunrises too.
We get some fantastic sunsets here in the west but occasionally some stunning sunrises too.
Strawberry trees are blooming now and a local tree is laden with fruits. Surprisingly lime tolerant for a member of the heather family (Ericaceae)
L. Arbutus unedo rubra
R. Arbutus unedo with fruits.
L. Arbutus unedo rubra
R. Arbutus unedo with fruits.
October 15, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Strawberry trees are blooming now and a local tree is laden with fruits. Surprisingly lime tolerant for a member of the heather family (Ericaceae)
L. Arbutus unedo rubra
R. Arbutus unedo with fruits.
L. Arbutus unedo rubra
R. Arbutus unedo with fruits.
Our neighbours have some great Guernsey lilies (Nerine bowdenii) in a hot, dry border. I’m impressed that they have 3 of the main colours but especially admire that white!
October 15, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Our neighbours have some great Guernsey lilies (Nerine bowdenii) in a hot, dry border. I’m impressed that they have 3 of the main colours but especially admire that white!
Not to be left out of this year’s #apple bonanza, the weeping crab apple Malus Red Jade is covered in tiny red apples.
It’s an old variety but still a great choice for a small garden.
It’s an old variety but still a great choice for a small garden.
October 14, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Not to be left out of this year’s #apple bonanza, the weeping crab apple Malus Red Jade is covered in tiny red apples.
It’s an old variety but still a great choice for a small garden.
It’s an old variety but still a great choice for a small garden.
Persicaria really performs!
And it’s a colour that fits in well with #autumn leaf colour.
Still going strong in mid October.
#gardentips
And it’s a colour that fits in well with #autumn leaf colour.
Still going strong in mid October.
#gardentips
October 14, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Persicaria really performs!
And it’s a colour that fits in well with #autumn leaf colour.
Still going strong in mid October.
#gardentips
And it’s a colour that fits in well with #autumn leaf colour.
Still going strong in mid October.
#gardentips
Winter is on its way!
This mountain pine variety (Pinus montana cv) at HTA HQ #horticulturehouse has changed colour to a glorious yellow reacting to lower temperatures.
A very underrated #garden plant IMHO.
This mountain pine variety (Pinus montana cv) at HTA HQ #horticulturehouse has changed colour to a glorious yellow reacting to lower temperatures.
A very underrated #garden plant IMHO.
October 10, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Winter is on its way!
This mountain pine variety (Pinus montana cv) at HTA HQ #horticulturehouse has changed colour to a glorious yellow reacting to lower temperatures.
A very underrated #garden plant IMHO.
This mountain pine variety (Pinus montana cv) at HTA HQ #horticulturehouse has changed colour to a glorious yellow reacting to lower temperatures.
A very underrated #garden plant IMHO.
Picked these from my absent neighbour’s neglected and overgrown #wildlife friendly old orchard - with his permission so not really #scrumping !
I think they are a heritage dual purpose variety called Orleans Reinette. Masses left for the birds!
I think they are a heritage dual purpose variety called Orleans Reinette. Masses left for the birds!
October 7, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Picked these from my absent neighbour’s neglected and overgrown #wildlife friendly old orchard - with his permission so not really #scrumping !
I think they are a heritage dual purpose variety called Orleans Reinette. Masses left for the birds!
I think they are a heritage dual purpose variety called Orleans Reinette. Masses left for the birds!
My original full video of honey badger vs elephant fight in Sable Valley... youtu.be/_v4A8HBo1f4?... via
@YouTube
@YouTube
My original full video of honey badger vs elephant fight in Sable Valley, Hwange National Park. 2025
YouTube video by Alan E Down
youtu.be
October 5, 2025 at 2:52 PM
My original full video of honey badger vs elephant fight in Sable Valley... youtu.be/_v4A8HBo1f4?... via
@YouTube
@YouTube