In the garden this month
May 2013
The vinery is now home to hundreds of little plants! We were all thrilled to get sowing our seeds and a little spell of warm weather has done the trick. First to germinate was a climbing bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) called ‘Blauhilde’. This is a handsome variety that is as tasty as it is ornamental. It was sown on the Tuesday and by Saturday morning it had germinated, poking triumphantly through the compost, ready for its medal. Now, they’re all at it. There are plants bursting forth wherever you look.
The Walled Garden has become a hive of activity. Firstly, the staff and volunteers have been grappling with the omnipresent couch grass, which so many of us are horribly familiar with. This has sprung up in our brand new beds and has needed addressing as a matter of urgency. There have also been tree circles to weed and grass to mow. The tulips outside the Vinery doors have added a welcome splash of colour. We have been carefully planning the new bed layout and hope to be actioning that very soon with yet more seed packets at the ready.
We have finished mulching the large Cedrus atlantica on the main lawn. This has smartened it up and will hopefully deter people from walking over the rootzone and compacting it further. Over time, the mulch will gradually break down, improving the structure of the soil. We hope to continue creating tree circles for the trees on the main lawn, as and when we can get hold of the woodchip.
After a day’s training course, the garden team were fully up to speed in the safe use of a woodchipper, and over the following week we went on to clear some enormous piles of wood that had accumulated over many months. It was wonderful having access to it, albeit just for a week.
The woodland walk is still looking beautiful and the scent of the wild garlic (Allium ursinum) in the air is striking. This is in clumps, with happy white star-like flowers and fat green leaves. The bluebells are also in the process of emerging. First thing in the morning (especially on a bright day), the woodland is a very special place. If it is part of your commute to work, you are privileged indeed. It has also been lovely to see people enjoying the sunshine on the main lawn and relaxing on our deckchairs, which came out again recently. Let’s hope this good weather keeps on coming!
Lindsay Schuman
Acting Head Gardener
