Winter 2020 in the Walled Garden

The Garden looked lovely for December 2019 - a bit frosty; dressed with stars by artist Corinne Hockley; the Christmas trees on display instead of hiding by the Shed and the pergola lights switched on. Then, with the Museum closed to the public for January 2020 rather than December, the Garden Volunteer Team were able to get going on tasks straightaway.

Peter Lead, the beekeeper and Buzz Club organiser, moved the hive a little further into the mead-ow, with the help of Geoff, John, Rob and Dave. The hive originally had been placed rather close to the wall, meaning that Buzz Club had limited space from which to view the bees. We covered the area beneath the hive with a membrane and then topped it with woodchip to make a defined standing area for our young Buzz Club beekeepers. The bees seem happy with our work - we managed not to upset them as we have not moved them very far at all.

The herb beds, which had been completely taken over by mint, are having a re-vamp by Sarah Parker with the help of new Gardening Volunteer, Nicola. They’ve removed bags full of mint roots, sifted the soil and a plan has been devised for ‘themed’ herbs.  One bed will have herbs said to be good for the lungs; one for the stomach and digestion; and the third, nearest the Shed, will become our ‘First Aid’ bed, with herbs for cuts and bruises. They are hoping to have the beds planted in the next few weeks. The beds are being laid out in a traditional manner with defined sections marked by stout canes.

Sarah also recycled some items set aside for the Skip in January. Bits of the old outdoor chess-board have now become gardening ‘kneelers’, and hula hoops are supporting the plastic which forms homemade protection for our winter salad vegetables.

The weekend of 8th/9th February was our first Snowdrop Celebration event in the Walled Garden in recognition of the Giant Snowdrop Company of Hyde, Stroud.  The Company offered rare varieties of snowdrops by mail order for the first time during the 1950s and early 60s. A special archive of materials featuring RHS medals, snowdrop catalogues, letters and photographs has been donated for the Museum Collection by the Mathias family and the family of Herbert Ransom, of the GSC.

Visitors were able to view these items on display in the Foyer, together with a small but very special collection of snowdrops in the Walled Garden representing those listed in the sales catalogues from the firm. In the Shed a more comprehensive collection of information sheets and press cuttings is now available for the Volunteers to assist with background knowledge to better serve the visitors to the garden. Mirrors on long handles were purchased to enable easier viewing of the markings inside the snowdrops flowers.

The event attracted many Galanthophiles eager to buy new snowdrops for their own collection from Chris Ireland-Jones of the internationally reknowned company Avon Bulbs. The Museum’s event was advertised on the back of the Avon catalogue alongside much bigger venues! The Stroud News and Journal published a two-page photo article thanks to photographer Simon Pizzey. There was an excellent talk by Jane Kilpatrick and Jennifer Harmer, co-authors of ‘The Galanthophiles’.  With a pop-up cafe, children’s trail, performance by Bill Jones, winter plants from The Nursery at Miserden and a lovely selection of goods in the Museum shop we gardeners were all very happy with our new venture. Even Storm Dennis didn’t deter visitors on the Sunday (Saturday had brought sunshine and blue skies and in the warmth outside the Pavilion you could have mistaken it for the South of France!).

….and now, after February rain, with the last snowdrops fading we are preparing for Spring.  This year, we’ve taken on the extra task of looking after the courtyard and the borders outside the old front door of the Mansion in the hope that the new planting will entice visitors through the gates and into the Museum and ‘back ‘garden. So far, this work has been undertaken despite the downpours!

Geoff has pollarded the willow by the Sheds; last year’s stalks and seedheads are now in our new, improved compost system; Marion’s plant ‘holding bay’ has had to be extended! The primroses are in flower and the tulip bulbs are sending up shoots…

Spring is almost here…..but, with winter still clinging on, the supply of kindling from the Monday Shed is still very much in demand!

The Walled Garden now has its own Instagram account! So, if you are into Instagram or know others who are visit www.instagram.com/walledgardenstroud