Sunday, May 20, 2012

Introducing...


Veggie Mike. Our wonderful volunteer who has spent many years at Snowshill keeping the kitchen garden happy and productive

Our new No dig bed. Full of homemade compost (thanks to many barrels carted about - in all weathers - by our volunteers). Spring Onion seeds have been planted round the edge and I'll be sowing all sorts of weird and wonderful varieties of salad leaves in the greenhouse this afternoon to go in the middle of the bed...so watch this space!

Young doves. Sussing out the outside world...more next month

Friday, May 11, 2012

Wake up!

The garden is waking up with all this rain - though some sunshine would also be appreciated now.  Anyway, pictures speak louder than words.

And they'll be news and pictures of our new 'No Dig' bed to follow shortly.

    Ferns starting to unfurl

   Fantastic red flowering Tree Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa)


    Our wonderful Quince is in blossom...Yum! 

Friday, May 4, 2012

A stroll in the rain is good for the soul

As the seemingly bottomless rain clouds continue to drop upon the gardens here at Snowshill, I thought it was time to update the blog with some news of what we've been doing outside...that is, in between our moments of drying out!

With the rain comes rapidly growing shoots, so we've been tying in Clematis and staking other perennials (predominantly Phlox, Aster and Thalictrum) with hazel branches. Hazel is brillant for several reasons. One; it is grown on the property and is therefore a natural, cost effective resource. Two; by bending the branches, you can easily weave it into the shape you want without the need for string or ties. And finally (though I'm sure there's plenty more reasons), it blends well into the garden setting - much more pleasing to the eye than garden canes!



I remember my garden history teacher saying that the best time to explore a garden is in the rain. I think I agree; it is the time you get the true colours and scents of what surrounds you. And this week we've started the garden storytelling talks; not only do they bring the garden to life, they also help to make sense of the place, to understandwhy it looks, feels, smells and sounds the way it does. Whether it is in the rain or sunshine, come listen, learn, enjoy and explore our gardens soon.