Allium opening by Ellen Zillin
Save time removing old, browning conifers by transforming them into a new garden feature by pruning.Remove the small dead branches, especially those form the centre, to reveal the shapes of the main branches. Cut off a few of the lower, larger branches so that you can underplant the conifer with ground-cover plants that tolerate dry shade, including vinca, Geranium (Cranesbill) and Lamium.
Variegated ivy or Periwinkle (Vinca) planted at the base of the tree will use the brown. lower branches as aclimbing frame.
Transform a conifer into a standard by removing all branches up to 1.5 metres (5 feet)- or lower if desired- and then lightly trim the top to shape.
Dandelion clock -picture by Ellen Zillin
Ed, Mike and Pete rowing (nearly) together!
I mentioned last week that the gravel paths were just about ready to be surfaced. I arrived in the Walled Garden this week with Gardner Ed, who wound me up to expect to be doing a huge amount of Carr stone spreading . I was pleasantly surprised, because most of the hard paths had not only been given a tamped base of Carr stone, but had had their finishing layer of pea shingle too. What a transformation!
The other volunteers were doing some weeding in the inner courtyard and Parterre of the house, but Aussie Pete and I joined Gardener Ed and Project Manager Mike to press on with Carr stone levelling and tamping.
Ed and Pete demonstrating their screed board technique..
I’d not done this before, so it was interesting to see the technique in play. A screed board– two pieces of plank bracketed together (and with notches at either end to slide over the metal path edging) was used to pull the Carr stone over and then raked in a rowing fashion to achieve the correct profile. The board had even been given a 10 degree camber from the centre to ensure water run off from the path centre to the edges. This simple, but effective tool gave an impressive result. It was certainly a lot easier with three or four people on the board. I used to enjoy rowing, but my shoulders ached at the end of the day.
Picture by Reg J Poyser
To Walter DegrasseThough I’ve made some inroads into digging over the borders and getting seedlings going, these two things are suffering somewhat as I spent most of the available time (dodging windy, cold and wet weather), making progress in the pond garden and to an extent preparing the ground for my new shed (you might recall that I have a supply of old floorboards that I’m planning to use for this and acquired some cedar shingles for the roof).
The new area for an extended shed- and an attempt to keep nettles at bay!
I’m pleased to say that after many sessions of earth removing (I must have shifted ten tons or more), I finally got the underlay and liner installed and some of the major features on their way; stepping-stones, a waterfall and rockery (made out of flints given to me by my neighbour and some old valley tiles) as well as a sitting terrace with a four pole and rope swag along which I plan to train a couple fo yellow roses and some purple clematis.
I’m just at the point of finishing off the surround and path on one side and then putting in some gravel and stones to create a couple of shallow beach areas, before planting it up. I’ve got hold of a good supply of plants from a local nursery as well as things people have given me, some existing plants I want to move as well as some form seed, so it’s getting to that exciting part of ‘clothing’ the garden structure! I’ve also created a small bog garden at one end so that I can grow marginals/wet loving plants there as well as on some shelves I’ve created round the edge of the pond. I’m also looking forward to getting my waterfall going- I’ve bought a solar-powered pump to supply the water.
The mound I’m creating to overlook the fields and church has grown considerably with the rest of the pond spoil, so this should be quite a feature once its settled. I’ve made up the new bench we were given by Deborah’s mum and put this in the kitchen garden, so the bench that’s currently there will be transferred to the mound. ~And i’m well on with restoring the other, old rustic bench we were also given by Deborah’s mum- painted cherry red with dark brown wooden seating and back. It should make a great focal point in the pond garden. I’ve also re used the three or four Cotoneaster bushes I eventually dug up from in front of the house (the area where we hope to have the paint stripped back)
This was some feat of brute strength in the ned, but I’m pleased it’s now fully cleared, and I can give some thought to what to put in here after the works have een completed.
The mound grows!
Elsewhere in the garden there are plenty of tulips and other spring flowers on display, but I keep seeing the weeds in the main borders and know its unlikely I’ll get to them anytime soon; the pond needs finishing off and next week we are off to the Isle of Skye and Glasgow for about ten days. I’ll try to send some blog posts and pictures while I’m there, as I’m sure there’ll be plenty of horticultural and nature interest (as well as the Talisker Distillery of course!).
In the kitchen garden, things are fairly well organised and up to speed; I have planted my first and second early potatoes, some celery and leeks. I have some seedling Calabrese plants in the greenhouse and we continue to enjoy last years’ planting of purple sprouting broccoli as well as the first very sweet pickings from the forced Rhubarb!
A couple of days ago a neighbour made me a very generous gift of a shredder/chipper and home-made collection box. though unused for a while I understand it does work, so I’ll perhaps get it fully serviced before I use it. It will make shredding material for the compost heap and paths etc. a whole lot easier and will mean I don’t have to light quite as many bonfires.
Allium flower head forming- picture by Ellen Zillin
Tulip- picture by Aparna Jha
My latest session at Blickling was spent in the Walled Garden, once more. On my way I stopped to look at the wonderful display of Tulips in the Double Borders, caught in the early morning sun.
Norfolk Peter- a bolting we will go…
Tulip: picture by Joan Fitzpatrick
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