" Great things are done by a series of small things brought together" Vincent Van Gogh
I am devoting most time to this year to the Home Garden unlike last year when it was Plot 106. Lucky to have those two choices I have very definite plans for Home Garden albeit with flexibility as it develops. I am mindful about using walls, fences and dividing structures that will deepen and enhance the rhythm and harmony that will be projected. All in order then But I really did sit up and take notice when one of the correspondents to the "Thoughtful Gardening with Andy" website told me about a very different type of garden, forced and structured by space. A high rise flat balcony, a keen Gardener and ambition to grow vegetables. Et Voila, a planter, a 3 Tier planter that grows all the salads, the leaves, tomatoes, cucumber; even the celery from mid June until September. I was impressed by the use of space and determined to emulate. So one of my fellow Shedders ( https://meninshedslancingandsompting.weebly.com/) Jock built me a 3 Tier planter using repurposed wood. It is brilliant and until I emulate next summer with the salads it will be used for herbs. In the shorter term it is a haven of Cannas, Aubergines, Morning Glories, Dahlias, Sweet Peppers and Black Eyed Susies So a consideration and a challenge for me here as a part of that flexibility. To use the space across the entire Home Garden differently, more compact, more generously? Let us see
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" A tree with strong roots can withstand the most violent storm, but the tree can't grow roots just as the storm appears on the horizon." Dalai Lama
Storm Evert came crashing along the Sussex coast with heavy squalls and winds of 50mph plus. Dark clouds scurried across the sky and thoughts centred around " I hope that there is some good weather in the next week or so". Gardeners are patient and resilient types and would happily wait a week for a couple of good weather days to get outside on the plot. But there is a difficulty here. Storm Evert arrived in late July. The time of year associated with cooling sea breezes, hot sunshine and dry spells with an outside chance of a thunderstorm crossing the Channel from a baking Europe that quench the thirst of man and fauna. Evert damaged a number of plants in the Home Garden despite my best efforts of using supports, canes, obelisks and arches to support the taller ones. I think they will mostly recover Without a hint of irony as the storm going on it provided an opportunity to read the latest Met Office report noting that " Climate change continues to be evident across the UK " you can too at https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/.../climate-change-continues... What I took away from this report was that " These climate variables all have an impact on UK wildlife, with 2020 seeing notably early first leaf dates and also earlier bare tree dates across the UK of four common shrub/tree species: Elder, Hawthorn, Silver Birch and Pedunculate Oak. Elder first leaf was the earliest in its series (15.9 days earlier than the 1999-2019 baseline), occurring in late February. Oak first leaf was also the earliest in its series (8.9 days earlier than the baseline) ". Sobering reading The next morning I was out early to get the photos to go with this Blog and although battered, Home Garden was certainly not beaten. The butterflies were out and the calmer air was cooler but fresh, a morning to be busy The photos show that my 2019/2024 renovation of Home Garden goes well both in terms of structure and plantings. Structure. I consider my willingness to change long held ideas and plans when the need arises to be a personal strength. Leaving something behind that once seemed essential is no issue or better still realising that a new addition makes such sense is a good strategy. For example despite have an allotment I created another one within Home Garden for those who live in the annex. The trampoline of youthful pursuits will be replaced by an Eco building that is being created specifically as a place for writing and hopefully drawing and painting. More about that it a future Blog It is pleasant to see the beautiful Dahlias, the beans, the Sweet Williams, Acanthus and roses this morning. To stop and look is an important thing to do in a garden. And recognise that as in gardens, as in life. Storms never last, only memories .... |
AuthorI launched this website on 16th August 2020 to bring together my thoughts on gardening,, its importance for health and wellbeing and two projects running concurrently, a renovation of my own garden on the West Sussex coast at Lancing and a nearby allotment. But also to learn from other gardeners about the inspirations for their plots, about their gardening projects and enjoyment of beautiful plants and gardens Archives
February 2024
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