More trenching this week, but we managed to finish this off…
In my first session of the New Year at Blickling the cold weather had arrived. My colleague Peter and I braved the wet snow to help Mike in the Walled Garden, by finishing off the trenching needed to put in the oak edging for the cross paths in two of the quarters in the new layout.
I was slightly embarrassed to hear that most of the other volunteers had already had a session last week, which I missed (having phoned in to discuss whether to come in with head Gardener, Paul). I thought the weather would put paid to any productive gardening. I was wrong! the team had begun the painstaking work of cleaning off sooty mould from the leaves of the orange and lemon trees in the orangery, so there are some inside jobs for bad weather days!
The ladies continued with this work this week. Peter and I made good progress, and as it was my birthday, I decided to leave after completing the trenching to go home to a nice birthday lunch and peaceful afternoon in front of the woodburner! Incidentally, I held back taking in birthday cakes as I wasn’t sure how many volunteers would be in, so that treat awaits the team next week!
Peter takes a break amidst a gloomy day in the Walled Garden
Project Manager Mike and gardener Rob continued concreting in the metal uprights which will carry the wires alongside the main paths in the walled garden, where an apple tunnel and other trained fruit bushes will be grown. Though perhaps the Walled Garden doesn’t look much different to how it did on my first day at Blickling (exactly a year ago), on reflection an awful lot of foundation work has been achieved (including drainage and water supply put in, path edging as well as remedial pruning to fan trained fruit), and a good crop of fruit and veg from one side border to boot.
Some of the oak edging in place; hopefully this will all be in by next week
The latest big project is the removal of the rotting wooden and glass roof and walls to the second greenhouse, which will be renovated with anew structure in the next month or two. This, alongside the other Greenhouse, which was renovated last year, will provide a superb pair of facilities for raising and protecting plants, and I get a real sense that this coming year we will start to see the main beds populated and productive.
Now you see it…Darren from DS Builders begins work on dismantling the second greenhouse…
Now you don’t…awaiting its repaired brickwork and new timber and glass top.
Mike is giving a talk to the Estate volunteers about the Walled garden Project this week, and I’m looking forward to hearing his review of progress and plans for the coming year.
Further Information:
Blickling Hall website
Blickling Hall Facebook page
A 360 degree tour of Blickling Hall
Old School Gardener
Old School Garden 