May 28, 2010

Look after yourself

Posted by Barhi under Gardeners Diary | Tags: , , |
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Do you think the garden is a safe place?   Without a bit of care, it can be very easy to injure yourself in the garden.  But, I am getting ahead of myself, let me begin the story properly.

The first time I opened my garden was five years ago.  I had been writing gardening articles for “Dog World” newspaper and I thought it might be nice to meet some of my readers.  So I decided to open the garden for the three days of our local Championship show so that people could visit after showing their dogs. 

Ruby investigating

The show is in August, so it was much harder to keep it looking good than when I now open in June.  It was a hot sumer and I had to water like mad to keep plants looking like they were happy with life.  I often prefer to use a watering can rather than the hose, but with the amount of watering, I got lazy and started filling the can a little more than I knew I should.  The can felt a little heavy, but, at the time, it didn’t seem overly heavy. 

I had a back operation many years ago, so my back is not as stong as it could be.  Anyway, I woke up the next morning almost unable to move.  An emergency visit to the chiropractor (McTimoney, of course) helped, but not enough.  The first two days that the garden was open, I was flat on my back and had to rely on my husband to welcome visitors.  Thank god I was ok for the last day.  It was one of the visitors on that last day who first suggested that I should consider opening for the NGS and opened a new chapter in my life.

The offending article - looking very sheepish

So flash forward over the next four years – I have remembered that incident and been careful about the watering can – until this year ………………………..

Last weekend, I overfilled the watering can again and ended back at the chiropractor again.  So, for the last few days, I have been taking it easy.  I have been getting help in the garden.  The hose is pulled out and put away for me, and I just do the simple thing of holding it and pointing it at plants.  Thank goodness the garden is pretty up together and there is only a little bit to do before next weekend. 

Hope the peony can hold on just a little longer

So, I have been able to just stare at my garden and make metal lists of the jobs to be done.  It is amazingly liberating to be able to plan what needs to be done and not feel as if you should just get on and do it.  So, I’m going to be pretty busy next week – I just hope the weather is kind to me.

 

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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February 19, 2010

Yellow Book

Posted by Barhi under Gardeners Diary | Tags: , |
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I got my copy of the Yellow Book this morning.  It is a wonderful feeling to flick to the Hampshire section and see our entry (garden name – Barhi). 

The next thing is to check out our competition for the day.  There are only four others open in the county on the Saturday (5 June) and two of them are within a short drive, so that should be a good day for visitors who want to visit a few gardens in the same trip.

Sunday 6 June is altogether a busier day with thirteen gardens in total open in the county.  It will be interesting to see how visitor numbers compare on the two days.

 

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