1st November 2025

Welcome

November already here and so much to do before winter really sets in. During these winter diaries I will be updating you on what is happening in the garden during the month. The weekly diaries will resume when the gardens open again in the spring.

To start, we have planted hundreds of crocus- some along the stream banks beside the drive and some beyond the tennis court before the arboretum. We have also planted 1.000 mixed narcissus beside the tennis court.  It’s an area that doesn’t get mown often and they can be left to die back gracefully.

We always have a problem with squirrels. One year we had over 150 tulips dug out of the rose bed at the front of the Hall. Last year we lost 100 alliums. This year we are planting quite deep ( 3”/6”) and toss the crocus/ tulips in Chilli powder or put coffee grounds on top to mask their smell. Tulips will be planted in pots ready to be put into the stone Urns in the Spring. These will have wire protecting them in the Cold Frame. The lovely red tulip, Peter de Leur, will be added to the bed beside the bridge to bulk up those already growing there.

All pots and containers with tender plants have been either put under cover or taken into the Greenhouse. Plants that haven’t been sold have been pruned and stored in the Cold frames.

We are continuing with the Beech hedge around the boundary. The new hedge, planted 3 years ago, has reached 4/5ft and is doing well. We are now using a machine to grub out the old mixed hedge and replant it with Beech to join up with the original Beech hedge on the southern boundary. Although the machine will remove the old hedge a lot of preparation will still be necessary to prepare the ground for planting. We will be planting into Geotex and staking and putting on tree guards- wind and rabbit protection.

The West lawn suffered badly from the summer drought. This has been scarified in 4 directions, seeded, over sown and top dressed. 8 pheasants were seen feeding there but thankfully have moved away.

The garden is still full of colour with Dahlia and Asters in full flower. Bees are very busily feeding on them building up reserves for the winter but one by one these beds will disappear as the plants go into their dormant period.

In the Vegetable Garden we have Cabbage, Salad plants, Parsnips, Leeks, Courgettes and Spinach. All the Squash and Pumpkin have been picked. One Pumpkin weighed 19kg and I am still staring at it in amazement. Some Squash are stored and others either distributed or frozen as soup, it’s been a bumper year.

So too for the apples. We have made gallons of apple juice by crushing the apples (the sheep enjoy the pulp) and freezing the juice in old plastic bottles. No additives and a delicious reminder of summer on a cold winter’s morning. One of the perks that make it all worthwhile!!

The skies have been black with Jackdaws, who, I am reliably informed, are roosting in the trees nearby.The Owls hooting in the dark remind us that territories are being reinforced and mates attracted- the circle of life moves on.

Stay healthy, keep warm and good gardening

Lynda Tucker