Gardeners and sailors always bore everyone with the weather – I’m no exception. We’ve had hot, dry weather, and now plenty of breeze. Our opening is later than usual, so we have lots to clear away. Whilst we may see less forget-me-not this year, we will hopefully see more roses – deer willing!
Activity is frenetic now, with another swarm of bees arriving to take up residence in a smart pink hive at the beginning of June.
There are masses of vegetables in the ground and in the greenhouse, and stacks of plants getting ready for the plant sale. It’s all very exciting!
Meanwhile, our brick path from the treehouse is complete – really gardener Simon’s work, although I was the labourer. It looks fab, but the planting is poor this year – a combination of being late, dry weather, and, of course, the deer! The little meadow it leads onto is walkable, but there’s still a lot more to do.
The centre of the garden is looking good this year, and we very much hope you’ll explore it, especially with the new bench we’ve placed at its centre. The tree ferns are epic! At the entrance, you’ll find an unlovely 12-ton mound of earth, donated to us from a garden remodel. It’s temporarily there pending the July clearance, which will see a new mound formed, the brambles and dying trees removed, and the whole area replanted. Groundworks in winter are always a challenge, so we decided to do this in (hopefully) dry conditions, to avoid diggers ruining the garden on arrival and departure.
As ever, I’ve been baking what feels like thousands of scones. Other, much more skilled bakers than I have added to the spread with fruit cakes, lemon drizzle, and all manner of other lovely things for you to enjoy with a cup of tea when you visit us. A heartfelt thank you to them all.
As we hurtle towards D-Day – the 14th and 15th of June – the sense of panic that we will not be ready escalates. It’s the same every year! Ghillie the Labrador, now very much a senior citizen, yawns and potters off for a snooze under the yew tree outside the back door… He’s heard it all many times before!
Ready or not, we’re looking forward to welcoming you to NGS Garden Ferns Lodge. Do read our updated description (reflecting our 2024/25 projects) to see just how far we’ve come with our restoration journey.
Contact sue.grant@fernslodge.co.uk.