Head Gardener's Diary - Late February

The weather has thwarted our plans yet again. Having used the Eucalyptus logs to edge the very wet section of path through the Autumn bank Dell, the idea is to backfill and raise the path using ash from the bonfire heap, but the path has been underwater since we put the logs in there. We are just going to have to wait until it drains away – today isn’t helping much as it is raining as I write!

Last week it was just dry enough to get some ground ready for the early vegetables, which we grow under cloches for a class to inspect in situ. We’ve planted the early peas and broad beans and sown carrots, all under the protection of cloches. As I was rotovating the other plots in the walled garden, I became aware of someone watching me and when I turned around there was the dog fox sitting staring at me. He didn’t seem the least bit worried by my presence, he had a little scratch and then proceeded to walk right round the walled garden inspecting everything I’d done before trotting out of the door into the main garden. I’ve also seen him several times up on top of the wall. I know he hides out in the ivy above the gate through to Wilderness Lodge, probably waiting for unsuspecting pheasants, squirrels and pigeons.

The garden looked quite stunning in the snow on 8th Feb. We were out there first thing with our cameras. When I went to lock up in the afternoon, there was a huge snowman on the path towards the heather beds who took a whole week to melt completely. As the snow melted the weeds were revealed again in all their glory, so a huge thank-you to the Friends who have weeded the stream, Iris bed and made a start tidying and defining the Digitalis areas.

We are edging, continuing with pruning and doing general tidying where we can get on the ground but many areas are still very wet. We have done a little planting, including some Hostas from Friends, which should be enjoying this weather (the Hostas, not the Friends!) and some lavenders (which won’t). Still, Spring is on its way – the Narcissus and Crocus in the meadow are just starting to flower and should look lovely in a week or two.…or three.

Julia Wesley