(from David Hewitt, a member of the committee of the Friends of the Harris Garden)

We hope you are enjoying these blogs. Your views, comments and suggestions can be made here by posting a blog or by commenting on or replying to a blog. If critical or controversial so much the better – a discussion with the blogger and others may follow!

( read more . . . )

It is the first weekend of Spring… and snow is falling. Despite the cold, grey Winter there have been volunteers in the Garden every week.  On Thursday there is an average of 12 people.  On many other days volunteers come in to do specific tasks. Students have helped Pete on Wednesdays. Volunteers continue to make labels. Digitalis seeds are being germinated to be planted later.

( read more . . . )

There were two Open Days planned for this month.  The first was organised by the Friends of the Harris Garden on April 15th to raised money for charity, the weather was fine though a little chilly and numbers were down on previous years attendances.  The second was due for Sunday 29th and was organised by the University but unfortunately the weather in the week leading up to the day was very wet and then the weather on the day was absolutely atrocious forcing the event to be cancelled which was disappointing but unavoidable.  Maybe it can be rescheduled for later in the year.

( read more . . . )

March has seen a continuation of the exceptionally dry weather conditions throughout the month and has meant that there is the very real threat of water shortages across the south of England and the promise of hosepipe bans and drought orders.  Though not effective yet they are due to come into force in April for domestic use but we should still be able to use hosepipes for watering in the Harris Garden.

( read more . . . )

The New Year has started with the weather conditions continuing in much the same vein as they have over the past few months with mild above average temperatures and mainly dry days.  This has enabled us to continue the winter work uninterrupted by breaks for bad weather but the plants are starting to show fattening buds as they prepare for an early spring.

( read more . . . )