November 19, 2010

A Different Perspective

Posted by Barhi under Gardeners Diary | Tags: , , , , , , |
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In life, it is always interesting to get a different perspective on something.

Recently I was able to get a view of my garden from one of the readers of this blog when Bobbie and Ron Gratz, whose garden is featured in the Dogs and their Gardens section of the site, came to visit.

Some of Bobbie’s photos are quite similar to ones that I have taken, but it was really interesting to see what caught her eye as she wandered around on a November morning.

I love this picture of the trellis around the pond with the rose and clematis that adorn it starting to change colour.  The blue of the post works so well with the blue sky, but this is a picture I would never have thought to take.

I love these frogs playing leapfrog – although some visitors are not always sure what they are doing – it depends on the angle they are viewed from.  I bought them in US and have never seen anything similar in UK.   I love the moss growing between the slabs that form the seat around the edge of the raised pond that is now their home.  I usually get rid of the moss whenever I pressure wash, despite wondering on many occasions whether I should leave it.  Maybe next time I will see if I can get the slabs clean whilst preserving the moss.

When I looked at this photo, I was really flummoxed.  I couldn’t think of where it could be – I don’t have a wooden bench anywhere in the garden.  I looked at the picture again and again and then I noticed the trellis in the background.  There is only one place in the garden where I have that sort of trellis.  I suddenly realised where the photo was taken.  Turned through 90°, the picture is a sideways on view of one of my Trachelospermum growing to create a green window.

We had to have a photo with one of the dogs.  Here, Bobby has managed to get a feel of the garden from their perspective .  There is no doubt that this photo is taken outdoors and yet the garden is almost irrelevant to the story.  Far more important is the mission that Ruby is on – if only we could read her mind.

Thank you, Bobby, for introducing me to a new perspective on my garden.  Through your fresh eyes, I now have a whole new view of my outdoor space.

 

July 11, 2010

What does your garden look like?

Posted by Barhi under Other | Tags: , |
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Ok, so you have been seeing loads of pictures of my garden that I share with my dogs, now here is your chance to show off your garden.  

Whether it is a work in progress or something that is a little more mature, so long as you don’t have a seperate areas of the garden for you and your dog(s), send me the pictures and I’ll put a selection in a new gallery section on this site. 

I need at least three pictures and up to 500 words to describe your garden and dog(s).  Make sure that at least one of the pictures includes your dog(s).  Pictures should be  minimum 600 x 400 pixel resolution.

Just fill in the form below with some basiscs about your garden and then we will get the process going.

 

May 22, 2010

Big weekend approaches

Posted by Barhi under Gardeners Diary | Tags: , , , |
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Well, it’s only two weeks now until we open the garden to the public under the NGS (National Gardens Scheme) and the pressure is mounting.  It is a great honour to be one of 3,700 gardens that open under the scheme through out the year.  

The key charities supported by the scheme are Macmillan Cancer Support  and Marie Curie Cancer Care, charities that many of us will have contact with at some point in our lives.  Since 1927, NGS have raised almost £42 million to support various charities; £25 million in the last 10 years. 

Visitors in 2009

By opening our garden, not only do we get the opportunity to help support these charities, but also we get the pleasure of sharing the garden with visitors.  We only open one weekend a year as the pressure to get everything looking as good as it possibly can is just too much to do more than once a year.  

In reality, the majority of the gardening year is focused on this one weekend.  Obviously the gardening jobs happen at different times of the year, be it planting or pruning.  However, opening the garden focuses the mind on the maintenance jobs  – they just have to be done in time.  This weekend, I’ll be giving the path around the pond a spruce up to ensure they are ready to meet the public. 

Peony swelling buds

I am lucky that my cottage garden style of gardening lends itself well to opening.  The vagaries of our winters means that each year different plants are at their best.  Some years, the geraniums are well over, in others (like this one), they are only just getting into their stride.  I am currently watching the peony buds swelling by the day and hoping that they will be at their peak in time.  

Iris buds

I would be surprised if the roses are in full flower in two weeks, but the vanguard might be in evidence.  This year, the early and main season irises look as if they will be flowering together, but there is absolutely no sign of flower yet on the hemerocallis.  

The weather forecast for the next week is such that I am being non PC and watering the garden.  Luckily I don’t have to do too much as out clay based soil is very good at retaining moisture, but when people are paying to look around, they expect to see the garden at its best. 

Oliver in the showring

Whilst the majority of our visitors come to see the garden, each year we have a few who come to meet the dogs.  This means that they too must be looking their best.  One of the main benefits of showing is that those being shown are pretty under control, but Cerys doesn’t go to shows, so she will have some time on the grooming table between now and then.  Oliver is the one who is “on duty” in the garden for most of the day.  At times, though it is likely that Ruby and Cerys will put in an appearance. 

 

If you are planning to visit us this year, you will be pleased to know that there are other gardens open on the same days which are only a short drive away, so you can enjoy a whole afternoon visiting gardens in the area.  We are located on the eastern edge of the New Forest, Hampshire and would love to meet you on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th June from 2:00 – 5:00pm.  Don’t have too big a lunch, leave space for tea and a piece of cake :) .  Full opening details may be found on Barhi’s website, on the NGS website and in the Yellow Book, available from all good book sellers. 

If you are in the area at other times of the year, we are open by appointment – just contact us using the form below to arrange your visit.

 

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