Gardeners Diary

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June 6, 2011

NGS 2011 Open Garden

Posted by Barhi under Gardeners Diary | Tags: |
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Helper keeping busy while waiting for visitors
This year’s opening under the NGS was on 4 and 5 June.  We had some wonderful visitors, both human and canine.  There were a lot of lovely comments about the garden and our dogs.
 

Visitors enjoying the shade of the pergola

Saturday was sunny and we had a steady stream of visitors.  Toward the end of the day, we met two of Oliver’s daughters and their owners.  They were very well behaved and it was a pleasure to see them.

Tia and Lady

Sunday was our first wet day of opening (in five years, so not too bad) and you could almost hear the garden breathing a huge sigh of relief to have some rain after two months of virtually no rain.  We finally got to use the gazebos that we bought four years ago.  One provided shelter for people arriving and it was so good, we have decided that we will use it every year as it will protect from both rain and sun.  The other was over the patio.  It gave people a dry space to stand and chat as well as to look at the garden.

Rosa Falstaff from David Austin Roses

Our open days may be over, but we already have two appointments booked by people who couldn’t make it this weekend.  If you would like to make an appointment, please email fbarnes@barhi.net

 

June 3, 2011

Last minute activites

Posted by Barhi under Gardeners Diary | Tags: |
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This weekend is our opening under the National Gardens Scheme.  The garden is looking great and almost ready for our visitors.  There are just a few last minute things left to be done.

I’ve filled in the holes in the planting and cleared the paths of most of the plants that have billowed out of the beds.  Obviously there will be dead heading and sweeping of the paths to do again a good few times before the gate is opened to visitors. 

Fortunatly visitors realise that they are coming into a real garden, and to be honest that is the reason that most people seem to come.  This is not a show garden a la Chelsea.  We can’t force or hold back plants to make sure that they are looking perfect on the day.  I don’t plant only for the day, I choose plants that I want to grow – which is a very good thing as each year the weather means that some plants are at their best at different times.  This year, most of the plants are about three to four weeks ahead of last year. 

While there are some flowers in the garden, this year I would have to agree with our NGS County Organiser’s comment when she visited this morning – the garden is a “Symphony in Green”.

As usual, the dogs will be in attendance to welcome our visitors over the weekend.  We will even have a few more as some of our helpers are bringing theirs.

 

May 24, 2011

Death defying Mint

Posted by Barhi under Gardeners Diary
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Do you grow mint?  It is lovely to have fresh mint.  It can be exploited for so many things from tea to mint sauce and many other culinary and medicinal uses. 

The problem with mint is that it is invasive in the extreme.  If you let it grow in open ground, it will take over every scrap of space that it can find.  Most people therefore find a way of restricting it and the best way of doing this is by growing it in a pot. 

Even in a pot, mint can survive almost anything.   Our cold snowy winter had no impact, as soon as Spring came, the bright green shoots showed at the base of last years dead growth.  Next came this year’s very dry Spring, and I forgot to water the pot.  I almost managed to kill my mint.  By the time I remembered to water the pot, there was no sign of life.  But, a couple of days later, the first signs of life showed.  After a few more days, more and more shoots showed.  Now almost half the pot is growing well and I have absolutely no doubt that in a few more weeks there will be no sign of my neglect.  Soon we will be once again harvesting mint to enjoy.

So if you do decide to grow mint, which one will you go for?  There is an amazing range available.  Think beyond the standard peppermint and investigate the possibilities.  There are mints from all parts of the world including Korea, Spain and the Atlas Mountains.  Then there are those with unusual flavours ranging from chocolate through grapefruit to even berries and cream.  You can choose from shrubby, variagated and  buddleia versions as well.  

One of the suppliers with the widest range is herb specialist Jekka’s Herb Farm, who offer a very extensive mail order selection and will deliver outside of the UK.

 

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