The winter is really when you are gardening for the spring and summer – and at NGS Garden Ferns Lodge, it is a sprint to be ready as we move to spring… When the rustle of new growth becomes a roar. Even now we have our opening days for the National Garden Scheme, on the 28th and 29th May 2022, very much in mind.
As you will know, the Christmas and New Year holiday was ferociously wet. Mud everywhere but mostly on Ghillie’s tummy, but still we ploughed on. The new plants were delivered for the new shrubbery opposite the vegetable garden, and all planted with some difficulty. They are all now doing well.
The Grand Wizard of Plants from Ashley Nursery found for us his biggest, most established shrubs for the area. We now await a load of lovely chip to finish this bed off and we will look forward to azalea, rhododendron and camellia blossoming in late spring. It is a large area so we also found the space for lots of other lovely things – some of them donated from other gardens where they had outgrown their beds and needed a good new home.
Very excitingly, the new gates are up in the top and garden drive. Hand made to match the others around the place and very smart! Hugely heavy to man (or rather Simon) handle, the air was blue at Ferns Lodge for a morning or so.
The bat box and owl box are now both up and we hope that these new starter homes might be in use this season, although I suspect that next year is more likely.
You will be pleased to know that the moles are all in good health and are digging well! The very wet weather slowed them down but they are back on splendid form. I like to think that the extra anti-mole sticks that we now have, that make a gentle wailing noise (disconcerting until you are used to it), have improved things but I think that this is wishful thinking.
Another batch of planting has now been completed in the top garden on the drive and as this develops will make a super natural hedge that will be green and lovely all year.
The bottom meadow had its first grass cut of the year last week, and February sees the annual ritual of mower servicing. A sure sign that spring and all that this has to offer is fast approaching.
In the meantime, there are broad beans growing, garden furniture being painted, snowdrops, crocuses and blue bells starting to peep above the ground and the oaks are changing colour as they start to think about making buds for the new season. Its all happening and we look forward to sharing it with you in May!
Contact sue.grant@fernslodge.co.uk.
