We are definitely making progress – especially for our opening in June.
The polytunnel is not a simple construct! With masses of experience, a degree in nuclear physics and plenty of time – putting it up is possible. Dan, Simon and Dan’s crew have watched the video, scratched heads and sworn a lot. So far we have a frame! I am promised that it will be complete this week so that we can chip and then start to bring on tomatoes, melon and all sorts of lovely things.
The earth for the top area has arrived and is soon to be spread and once rolled we will have a meadow of sorts in the vegetable garden (more like an allotment really).
Elsewhere, you can almost hear the rustle of spring growth. The acers are blooming – there are daffodils, bluebells and baby hyacinths everywhere. The tree ferns are just starting to develop their fronds for the year and grass is now growing at an alarming rate!
But it is chilly. We had snow last weekend, which arrived and melted within the hour. Rather like Narnia when the White Witch pushed off, we went from winter to summer in minutes! The cold has held back a lot of growth and puts us a couple of weeks behind with broadleaves, figs and much else. Hopefully we will have a fantastic display for June with rhododendrons in flower when you all come and visit.
In amongst the frantic activity, Ghillie has a new best friend. Always keen to be around and about and whilst not helping in the garden, there at every step. I am now joined by Caterpillar… Definitely his favourite toy, Caterpillar is not totally enjoying outdoor life, I can see his progress around the garden from the trail of his innards left behind. His rather fetching red and orange livery is now a muddy brown… I fear that Caterpillar is not long for this world but for Ghillie, he is essential gardening equipment.
Now that the vegetable cage is secure, we have onion sets, leaks and the sweetcorn will be planted this week, soon to be joined by rocket, carrots and broad beans. The first of the sweet peas have now been planted in the big bed at the head of the big garden.
In bee news, our 2 hives are super busy with lots of brood and buzzing and we are hoping for a good season this year.
The lack of rain is now starting to be an issue with new photinia and eucalyptus bushes needing gallons and gallons of water. Elsewhere we see plants starting to suffer… A rain dance at NGS garden Ferns Lodge is imminent!
And now its off to the garden for Ghillie and me, and I am confident that Caterpillar will be joining us.
Contact sue.grant@fernslodge.co.uk.