Crikey I have been busy with my gardens lately, and while it hasn’t all been plain sailing, it’s been a productive and lovely couple of weeks. Let me explain…

Generally Speaking

Don’t mention the weather – The gardening topic of conversation around these parts right now is how dry the weather has been, with no serious rainfall for two months or more. For sure, the sun’s been out to play most every day and springtime has been a delight, but the lack of natural irrigation from above is becoming a worry.

All things considered, despite some high midday temperatures we have enjoyed some cool nights, and haven’t had much in the way of frost during May, so from a gardener’s perspective it’s not at all bad. There’s no escaping the fact though that the soil is dry and water supplies are, or soon will be, in high demand. In every likelihood the weather will turn soon, but on the off chance that it doesn’t, saving water now will help us in the long run.

Where home gardens are concerned, using a water hose of course makes watering easier, but I would urge you if at all possible to use a watering can instead. Doing repeated trips with a can isn’t meant to frustrate us but will cause us to consider carefully how much to apply, as opposed to leaving a hose running and using more than necessary. My own personal rules are that the lawn can fend for itself, (unless they’re freshly laid of course,) established plants too, and for newly establishing plants and pots, water less often but thoroughly, to encourage roots to delve deeper down.

My caveat to the watering can tip is to mention some of the seep or drip irrigation systems that are about, which can feed controlled amounts of water to the just the right spot. Unless I’m looking after sports turf, I’d personally leave the lawn sprinkler in the shed – if I had one!

Before I slip off my soap box, I shall stop myself there, as I feel I’m tipping into lecture mode – although it comes from a good place I assure you. Let’s just hope for a nice steady splash soon, eh. (BTW, if you want any tips be sure to let me know!)

In the Garden

Wired Wisteria – Last time I mentioned the installation of some wires to train a Wisteria along, a job left over from last year. As it turned out I timed it perfectly, for the growth spurt shown by said plant has been speedy to say the least, with hardly any wire now to be seen and with plenty more growth yet to come. The wires are in, new shoots are being tied as they grow, and wayward stems trimmed back as and when to save the plant from wasting energy – I am being decidedly ruthless!

The Wisteria is only just entering its second year in my garden, so last year and the next few are all about training and forming the permanent framework of branches, the intention being to clad both the south and east facing fences with two lateral stems. I might have to wait a few years for the flowers to appear, and it better be the right colour when it does but for the time being, it is snip and tie-in, snip and tie-in, snip and tie-in, I now feel a song coming on!

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Gravel Garden – I’m glad to report that my compact mini landscaping project has now made progress, with one modest but important detail left to complete. The project itself, a metre square ornamental bed to break up a flat patio space is unlike all other borders in the garden, being now finished with a varied mix of stone, both river gravel and some beach stones for contrast. (Responsibly sourced of course).

The bed is slightly mounded to show intent and softened with a few foliage plants that whilst young, already bring a hint of character, including Hosta ‘Halcyon’, Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) and a tassel fern (Polystichum polyblepharum). The central showpiece though, whilst still in its infancy is a Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’), which in time will change the space completely, bringing I trust some height in a delicate way; I shall be manipulating its branch network and form over time.

Two architectural elements are intended to complete my gravelly garden, the first a shallow reflection pool, a cut-down barrel which already has become a favourite drinking spot for a red mason bee. In addition to this, I’m looking to complete this mini-garden with a short section of fence that will be clad in carefully tied bamboo – yes, I’ll be getting even more arty with this part. If the fence turns out to be anything like my intention, I’ll be sure to add an image in due course but for now, a mere glimpse of gravel will have to suffice!

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@AllotofPotential allotment – I’ve been wondering whether to separate-out mentions of the allotment into their own updates, maybe even a dedicated Allotment Journal – do let me know what you think?

Anyway, almost two weeks ago my allotment buddy and I spent a couple of hours doing a range of tasks – picture an SAS style descend and do type mission, with an aim of dropping the last of the seed potatoes into the soil like grenades then get the hell out of there. Well, things didn’t go quite to plan. The potato part worked like a dream, and if we’d headed for the hills at that point our mission would have been a success but oh no, the allotment pulled a fast one, triggering a secondary operation called weed-and-prep.

Needless to say, by the time we finally retreated from the allotment zone the damage was done, and with the old back-hinge creaking, there was nothing left but to break out the hot water bottle and Tiger Balm. Let’s just say that for the last ten days or so, I’ve not been able to sit or stand without an ouch or an aargh! (…and the Tiger Balm whiffs a bit too).

Thankfully, whilst sitting has been a challenge, moving around has been okay, and I have been able to return to the battle ground a few times since, at least for light exercise. It appears that no long-term damage has occurred. Lesson learned…

Progress wise, more onions have been planted, new borders are now formed and awaiting path laying then seeding, and the glasshouse borders are weeded and ready for the toms. The asparagus bed (second season so no harvesting as yet) is clear of weed, the compost bin half full, and the first strawberry on the patch is colouring nicely. In the coming days direct seed sowing will commence and some trays of veg will be planted out – there will be much kneeling and moving around on all fours! 

After all that is done some rain would be very welcome, if you please!

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Looking ahead

In my last journal I urged you to head out and find some cherry blossom, which by now is largely spent. The fact this cycle keeps moving isn’t sad though I must say, just part of the life cycle of plants. Flowering happens just when a plant needs to, not to please or satisfy us at all, but to keep its type alive. The fleeting nature of blossom therefore calls upon us to seize the moment, to sit up and take notice, to get out and savour nature’s gifts and splendour, and you can count on me to continue reminding you of this.

Spring’s cherry blossom may be all but done for this year, but it shall return, be sure of it, and other flowers are already here or poised to arrive. As I write looking over my garden, purple allium planet-like spheres hover over a border in the afternoon sun, shaded lawn daisies are closing for the day, and I gaze upon it all with awe. This last week I’ve been besotted by the frilly extravagance of some white Florentine irises – honestly I’m such a pushover!

Do I worry though, that some of these floral beauties will have gone over tomorrow or by next week? Should I photograph and study them every day for fear of losing them? I think not, instead I’ll take them as they come, bathe in the moments we can be together and once they’re done, I will anticipate their return next year. 

Life and flowers will come, flowers and life will go, we must not squander the opportunity or prospect!

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Wishing you all the very best, until next time, Gary, Gardening ways.

p.s. Go check out my last essay over on Substack Influential Gardens 🌿