Walled Garden Volunteers' Blog Feb 2023
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Frost is a double-edged sword giving some beautiful effects but, like all gardeners, we are discovering which plants can cope with the varying conditions we’ve had this year - the extreme cold being the most recent and potentially devastating problem. We are watching and waiting on some of the damaged plants… but with each loss comes a new planting opportunity…!
At the end of January we celebrated the Giant Snowdrop Company of Hyde who created the first snowdrop mail order company in the 1950’s. We are again grateful to Chris Ireland-Jones of Avon Bulbs (pictured) for his support and encouragement in ensuring the GSC does not get forgotten and for providing many snowdrop varieties for sale to our regular visitors and Galanthophiles alike.
At the Pavilion, Ruth (pictured) demonstrated painting with natural dyes from Walled Garden plants while, indoors, the Museum displayed items from the Giant Snowdrop Company archive, and Mandy Bradshaw, the ‘Chatty Gardener’ gave a fascinating illustrated talk ‘on Photographing Spring Flowers’.
Our snowdrops display will last a few more weeks so do come and enjoy them.
When the ground had thawed a little, new edging was installed at the pergola. This will allow us to bank up the soil around the fruit and vegetables; Sarah has just sown broad beans and, on a freezing cold morning, she and Caroline tidied and tied up the fruit canes.
Meanwhile, in our bid to be sustainable, new water butts have arrived. We shall be able to collect four times as much rainwater to help us through the summer. Visitors who buy our plants and sundries have helped to fund the purchase of these new additions. Thank you, all, for your visiting the plant stall!
Wildlife news: The bees were being very naughty and defensive of their hive so wouldn’t let us tend the espaliered trees at the wall or cut the meadow! The beehive (and bees) have temporarily been removed for observation by the beekeeper, and we can complete our pruning. The bees and Buzz Club will resume shortly.
And finally, in case you are wondering, the hedgehogs are all fast asleep in their hay-filled houses! Annie from the Help a Hedgehog Hospital is monitoring them.
PS. Dates for the Diary: Talks (and plant sales) :
23rd March 2023 : Rosy Hardy of Hardy’s Plants ‘Seasonal Flowering Perennials’
15th April 2023: Bob Brown of Cotswold Garden Flowers: ‘Too Many Plants, Too Little Space’!
