With the wettest winter on record and all the challenges it brought us, including the clearing up of 34 fallen trees, we can now look forward to the long warm days of summer!
The one upside to the damage is that we will have a plentiful supply of logs for our open fires for the next few years. Another benefit of the wet weather is that it has encouraged the spring flowering trees and shrubs to put on a great show of colourful blossom. This also includes the Bluebells. In all our woods the carpet of blue and the fragrance is totally uplifting and I would say the best they have been for many years.
The team’s woodworking skills have been put to good use over the past few weeks with new planters being made for the Summerhouse, Walled Garden and Chapel entrance. Over the next few weeks the summer bedding plants will be going out with all the hanging baskets already made up and growing on in the glasshouse.
We have also started to supply the kitchens with salad leaves, mustard and cress, chillies and peppers. We are also planting more herbs in the Walled Garden for their use in the dishes.
We have started to plant 300 dahlia tubers in the borders of the Walled Garden and will also be sowing a wildflower seed mixture of cornflowers and poppies to mark the centenary of the start of the World War 1. The company which supply the seeds have made up seed mixtures from plants grown in France. They will be sown over the next few weeks for flowering during August and September. The Secret Garden has had a number of new plantings including some new roses and is looking full of promise.
In between times we have been painting the glasshouse and the iron railings and gates around the Walled Garden. As you can see, we have much to be getting on with, but if you see any of the estate team when you next visit they would be more than happy to give you further information and advice.
Until next time enjoy the sunshine!
Kevin Sweet, Estate Manager
Garden Events Coming Up!
Hanging Basket Master Class with Afternoon Tea - Thursday 5th June
Estate & History Tour with Afternoon Tea - Wednesday 5th July
National Gardens Scheme Open Day - Sunday 7th September