2nd February 2025

Wecome

With Spring fast approaching the focus is on repair and preparation. The stream banks in the Water Garden needed re-enforcing and path edges replacing and we have had to add extra support to the roses along the path in the stream garden. There are still pruning jobs to be done- such as the Weeping Pear and fruit trees which are pruned at this dormant time of year and standing still whilst pruning is not the best occupation in these cold temperatures.

In the Vegetable Garden we are still picking Chard and Kale. We have lots of parsley. Normally we grow the flat leaved parsley but this year we grew the Curled headed variety which has been very robust. We have planted a new row of Raspberry canes and 2 Redcurrant bushes in the old Raspberry Fruit cage. There was a problem with bind weed in that bed and although we think we have removed it we shall have to keep an eye on it.

The Greenhouse is full of over wintering Fuchsias and Pelargoniums. We have an unheated Greenhouse, and it is bubble wrapped in the winter but even so we are delaying seed sowing as the temperature at night is still very low. Some of the Orchids have been moved into the house and are sending up a good number of flowering spikes – patience is required as we wait for them to open.

The wonderful Algerian Iris- Iris Unguicularis is flowering prolifically and making a welcome bright splash of colour. It has been planted at the base of walls and the more you pick the more the new flowers appear. In a vase it lasts barely 48 hrs but constant dead heading will keep the outside display in flower from November to February in this Garden.

 We have taken the opportunity of the “bare root” sales to bulk up the bank behind the Iris bed and dressed beds with Compost throughout the garden. All roses have now been pruned .

The Dell is looking pretty with a mass of Snowdrops and Aconites and we need to tread carefully around the garden as the daffodils are coming up through the grass.

The Witch hazel are in flower in the Daffodil Area and their scent wafts through the garden on the cold air. They are very slow growing and their freshly cut stems were used for water divining as well as in traditional medicines- “witch” hazel?

In a sheltered spot we have our first Primroses in flower and the pink flowers of Bergenia are appearing along the stream.

Sadly the Fox took the female of our new pair of Chinese Geese. They were a present to keep the old Embden gander company after his mate had been taken by a Fox. Now the widowers are company for each other, but we hope strong enough to resist further assaults.

The sheep seem contented roaming between the Fishponds and the Water Meadow and birdsong is very clear in the cold air- I wish I could identify them all.  However, we do have recognisable Robins and Tits feeding on the bird table outside the Kitchen window.

Stay healthy and good gardening

Lynda Tucker

Iris Unguilularis