Looking at my last blog, I am ashamed that since our June opening, there has been a drought of news from NGS garden Ferns Lodge… However, for us and for UK gardeners as a whole, this summer has served up quite the reverse – with lashings of rain throughout July and August, quite chilly days and plenty of breeze. Openings by arrangement have been cancelled as the rain lashed down outside, and wellie boots have been worn all summer. Like everyone else, we have lost branches and worse as trees in full leave are surprised by lots of rain and then breeze, often from the wrong direction. On the upside, the new planting here has flourished, and so far (touching plenty of wood), there are no casualties, and very quietly the outline of what one day this old Victorian wildlife garden might become is clearer.
Vegetables and fruit are a learning experience, and we have had gluts of cucumber, tomatoes, beans, courgettes and more. Lots of takeaways this year, including the fact that peppers are super easy to grow. However, the ones at NGS garden Ferns Lodge are hot enough to power a space rocket and need very cautious use!
So now we are in autumn (just) and the temperatures rose in the beginning of September to nearly 30 degrees. Ghillie has taken refuge under the trees or in the back of the Land Rover, sleeping deeply through gardening activity and dreaming of rabbit catching… The days are shortening, and evening watering at dusk, with the delicious smells of day’s end and the relief that the sun’s exit stage left brings ,has been delightful. The leaves are just starting to fall, some because of the sudden hot spell and others because it is time.
Editors Note: I jinxed myself, since time of writing the weather has turned…
I am enjoying the end of the season, with tasks like starting the autumn cut back, painting windows. This has made activity frenetic. Additionally, I am planning the winter projects, and we have three areas in our sights:
All of these require a digger, chainsaws, a root grinder, and lots of elbow grease and muscle – I can’t wait!
Also on the agenda are plants for growing on for the garden and next year’s plant sale, chutneys from courgettes that hid and then turned into marrows, and gathering the last of the season’s bounty, including three rather magnificent melons – our first foray into the world of the Cucurbitaceae (and yes, I had to look that up!). Watch this space for more about the winter projects as we get that far and as we plan for the 2024 season.
Contact sue.grant@fernslodge.co.uk.
