31st December 2021

2021 now ended, the days are getting longer and, despite the worst of the weather ahead, we are optimistically looking forward to welcoming visitors back to the gardens in 2022.

The vegetable garden is producing parsnip, kale and chard and as we dig over the empty beds I am busy planning the seeds to plant.

I had thought to stop growing Sweet Peas, but they are such wonderful productive plants that I am ignoring the time it takes to pick them every day and have placed my order with Mr Matthewman

The inner greenhouse is being covered with bubblewrap. There is no heating and this helps to retain just enough for seeds to germinate.

Tulips have been planted in the urns and placed between the Greenhouse and Potting Shed. Last year they were dug out by squirrels and to thwart them we have covered the tops with wire.

All tender potted plants are under cover and the large Clay pots left out and fleeced. I have taken a chance with the olive trees and left them out -but undercover. I am hoping to gradually acclimatise them to staying outside.

We have been busy clearing the ground at the bottom of the drive to plant a new beech hedge. This has taken us away from the rose pruning that generally gets finished before Christmas and we shall be late starting on the Nut walk and pleached hornbeam. Fingers crossed that the weather holds for us.

We have not dug up the Ginger but placed a thick layer of mulch and wire over them- the danger is not frost but squirrel and mice.

Bishop of llanduff has been left in the ground but the other Dahlias and Canna dug up and put in the Greenhouse.

We are making a new path through the Dell. This has been marked out and we will remove and replant the bulbs that have started to appear on the route. Then we will edge the path, cover it with geotex to keep the weeds down, and then cover with wood chip. It will be a pleasant walk- (especially when the bluebells are up-) to the seat overlooking the Fishponds.

Hellibores are keeping their leaves this year. Last year the bare flowers were eaten by Muntjac so we are trying not to be too helpful. We have put a wire around the Camelia whose buds were also eaten. We don’t suffer much from Muntjac but last year was bad,

Yellow jasmine, Mahonia and winter iris stylosa are all cheery sights in the garden at the end of December. Aconites are usually our first bulbs to appear and we await their arrival.

Meanwhile. Wishing you all a very Happy New Year

Stay healthy and Good Gardening

Lynda Tucker