plants

Garden Journal No.15 – To Begin Again

| Gary Webb

The seasonal gardening wheel turns and we prepare to go again.

Today I bring thoughts on summer’s residue and discuss how we can move gardens forward. I’ll also share the latest twists in my own horticultural journey, and speak as to why September may just be the best month of the gardening year.

Welcome to my garden journal, a place where I pause and reflect on my recent gardening ways, and look to the days ahead. Thanks for stopping by.

Firstly

Whilst late September’s gardening pages await their fate, my diary’s inky squiggles from those long hot summer days are fixed and dry. What a paradigm-shifting summer that was.

Every now and then a weather pattern comes along to push and test our limits, often leaving a mark on people and the land itself; summer 2026 was one of those, and will certainly be one to remember. In character, summer was undeniably a wolf in wolf’s clothing, who from the get-go made no attempt to suppress its roar. From a gardening perspective the sun’s aggression seemed relentless, and the forecasters promise for it to return next year is anything but a veiled threat.

If, I consider, you were able to kick back with an iced drink or maybe look out from the shade of an air-conditioned room or a breezy beach, then summer might have delivered some wonderful memories. If your working days were designed to place you out in the heat, however, I trust that you made it through okay, your breaks were long and often, and that your garden fared well. May God bless the trees and their shade!

In all seriousness, whilst temperatures do begin to slide, rain once again seems not far away and all feels well in the garden again, I’d urge us not to forget the summer challenges quite so quickly.

Lawns may be greening, but scars in the earth still run deep, and drought status in some areas will continue through to next year. Be mindful therefore of the opportunity this autumn and winter presents to repair our gardens and to help them become more resilient for the seasons ahead: think trees for shade, water harvesting, drought tolerant ground cover planting and so on. The time is nigh to make a difference!

Note: If you should hear me grumble about said rain in the weeks ahead, do please remind me to shut up!

On a secondary note and from a personal perspective, I do really love September – it’s such a special month for gardens and gardeners alike.

Whiteboards in bothies up and down the land will be full of seasonal tasks, most often packaged as if gardens needed putting to bed. This in many respects is true, but nudging conventional descriptions aside, gardens rarely do fall completely silent, more often they grow a little slower in their own particular way. It may be more fitting then whilst enjoying the fulness and flowers that remain, to think of these coming weeks as the beginning of a gardening year, a time where good foundations can be laid for next year’s garden brilliance.

Let’s not think of this month as the time to sweep away autumn and close the garden down, let’s bask in the glorious colours that are coming our way and enjoy the season we’re in. Importantly, and with another growing year still clear in our rear-view mirrors, let’s prepare well for the year ahead.

How’s that for a dose of autumnal positivity?!

On the work front…

Work for me these days continues, naturally, to be centred on gardening. Whilst it’s good to share, I will however spare you some of the tedious details. Suffice to say that whilst I enjoyed a foray down into the Cotswolds for a month of horticultural happenings, I now continue my gardening ways in Stratford upon Avon with the team across Shakespeare’s gardens.

For sure, whilst my horticultural journey has navigated some twists and turns of late, it’s not been a bad year at all; and the changes could not have come at a better moment. In fact I’ve learned more about myself and my motivations in the past twelve months than in the previous twelve years, and that can’t be a bad thing at all.

I may not have all the answers just yet but my current position suits me just fine, leaving scope and opportunity to explore new avenues, or to discover my true calling you could say.

I’ll keep you posted…

In the Garden

Aside from some light weeding, lawn cutting and a few trips to the allotment, my gardening activity over recent weeks has largely been in my professional capacity.

The Cotswolds venture I mentioned above included some gloriously sunny hours working amongst rare trees with seriously impressive views beyond. Aside from a little summer fruit pruning, the first two weeks were spent establishing annual plans for both production and ornamental gardens, reviewing equipment, sourcing suppliers, building an order for new items, and establishing a priority list of garden projects for the years ahead.

A gardener, Gary Webb, atop some ladders whilst busy trimming some yew topiary.
With onsite trimmers being gummed up and unsharpened, I resorted here to hand trimmers to tighten up the trim – one of three yews.

Along with some obligatory gardening, I delivered much of the above list by the end of week two, thanks in no short measure to the in-house team and some contractor help. By the end of week four however I was happy to move on from the venue, leaving the garden much closer to where it should be for the time of year.

Across each of the gardening ways that I’ve followed whether down in Gloucestershire or back here in leafy Warwickshire, I’ve enjoyed diving into deep borders and running up and down ladders in pursuit of perfection. I’ve not touched a drop of chemical, have lightly trimmed back and tied in some unruly and vicious climbing roses, shaped a good few metres of handsome topiary, and made record offerings to the compost gods; it’s been a busy one you could say.

Naturally I spent much time enjoying the sounds of nature whilst working away, but must admit to having caught up with a few podcasts, which is a great way to feel connected to the gardening world when you’re at work alone. A new podcast to me is Outsiding, with Caitlin Moran and Adam Frost, which has made me chuckle more than once when busy in the garden – I enthusiastically recommend the episode from Aug 20 with Miquita Oliver.

Looking Ahead

Eagle-eyed readers will have realised that I do have a few gaps in my weekly calendar to fill…

Pardon me for the plug, but whilst being ‘comfortable’ with my current days and well rooted here in south Warwickshire, I am somewhat coiled and ready for a new adventure.

In lieu of a CV, I’m into craft-based gardening and take it very seriously. I’m trained in horticulture, garden design and management, and have worked for a few years in a garden and parks consultant capacity, where sustainability and nature friendly gardening is hugely important to me.

Without doubt I’m as creatively motivated behind a desk as with my Niwaki’s in hand, and as demonstrated both through my gardening and writing, being engaged in my work is important. If you’re aware of an opportunity in the south Warwickshire or north Cotswolds area, therefore, I’d appreciate the nod.

Aside from all that busy-busy work-work stuff, I really must get out in the garden, so do accept my thanks and appreciation for reading thus far and supporting my writing and gardening journey. 

Gary Webb. Gardening Ways 🌿

Link to Outsiding Podcast

p.s. No, I wouldn’t be a good fit for Gardeners’ World – I do know that much. Any advances on Frances Tophill, Adam Frost or Arit Anderson, with Chris Beardshaw or Toby Buckland as wild cards?!

Garden Journal No.14 – It’s a bit warm

| Gary Webb

In my garden journal today I write about gardening in this blistering heat, career progress and trains in the garden – yes, I did say trains in the garden!

Welcome to my garden journal, the place where I pause and reflect on my recent gardening journey and look to the days ahead. Thanks for stopping by.

Firstly

“Oh, it’s too warm for me, I mean, I like it warm, but I don’t like it this warm!”

Thanks Mr. Kaye for that one, that line has been on the tip of my tongue for weeks now!

I had been hoping by now that temperatures would have settled down a little, and whilst it has been cloudier and slightly cooler these last few days in south Warks, we’ve had no rain at all worth mentioning. It’s not like we aren’t accustomed to seeing the grass turn blonde each summer and hosepipe bans fall into place, but this ongoing drought should give us cause for concern, not just for gardens but gardeners (and wildlife!) as well.

Whilst some like it hot, it’s been challenging for most outdoors workers having to trudge around in temperatures hovering around 30 degrees centigrade. I’ve found working sessions very tough indeed, and each evening I fall into rehydrate and recuperate mode – when I’m pretty much cooked. I’ve faced all sorts of extreme conditions whilst gardening over the years, but I’ve never felt hostage to the weather like I have these past few weeks, and it’s really giving me concern for the years ahead.

I’ve said before that I don’t like to focus too much on the weather in my writing as it simply comes with the territory. As a horticulturalist I try to understand it as best I can, and to work both with it and around it. At the moment though, the weather’s picked me up by my collar and shook me around on a daily basis, so I could hardly ignore it! 

A yellow hose pipe sprouting water over a plant border
Surprisingly, I haven’t actually done much hose watering…

If you’re a working gardener you’ve probably already worked out your hot weather coping strategy, but nevertheless I feel compelled to remind you to take good care of yourselves out there. Nobody knows your tolerance levels better than you do, so even with the most caring colleagues and supervisors, you still ought to carry out your own mental risk assessment of working situations, then make adjustments if necessary to keep safe from the impacts of the sun and heat.

A few public service pointers for what they’re worth:

– Stay hydrated – obviously… (We can at least thank the World Cup for trying to normalise hydration breaks!)

– Use very high sun protection cream (SPF 50+) and cover up if you can – wide brimmed hats are particularly helpful.

– Negotiate and start your working day much earlier, when it’s cooler.

– Save tasks in the shade for the hottest part of the day.

– Neck fans and micro-fibre cooling towels draped around the neck work for some – explore these options if you can to see what works for you.

I’ll leave it there, for now, but if you have any other cool tips do let me know.

Showtime

Before moving on to write On the Work Front, I must record a little gardening highlight that occurred recently.

My attention was called in June to a request from the Greenfingers charity for volunteers to help with a show garden build at BBC Gardeners’ World Live. Long story short, I sent the enquiry email before I had time to talk myself out of it, and a few days later found myself mucking in at Birmingham’s NEC with the ‘Trains in the Garden’ show garden.

You might well have seen the garden and its creators Andy and Louise Christie on Gardener’s World that week, where their build up to the show was covered in some detail. (iPlayer link below). It was a complex but carefully engineered design that included a working scaled-down steam railway that visitors could engage with via remote control. Intermingled with the rails were full sized railway collectibles from yesteryear, and an eclectic mix of planting with an inspired use of wildflower turf.

I managed to contribute three days to the build in all, a mere hop and skip compared to the months of preparation and more than a week of on-site build up by numerous volunteers. The experience was incredible I have to say, not just helping with the build but having the opportunity to see many other gardens during their construction phases too – I learned a great deal from the experience.

I won’t dwell a moment longer but would say that should a similar opportunity come your way then do go for it. It was incredibly hard work but very entertaining and educational, and I’m glad to report that the garden achieved a gold award! My thanks go to Andy and Louise, and to the people at Greenfingers for bringing it all together and making me feel so welcome.

Gary Webb in a hi-vis vest posed in front of plant racks at BBC Gardeners' World Live
Just me sorting through plants for the show garden…

On the work front…

Last time I wrote for my garden journal I was about to leave a major working role and signed off saying ‘let’s see where I pop up’. Well, I’ve surfaced not too far away at a local charitable organisation who hold responsibility for a few venues linked to a certain Will Shakespeare – his name might ring a bell?!

Though simple in its form my gardening role there is diverse indeed, and a few weeks in I’ve already got to know the gardens at Shakespeare’s Birthplace, New Place and Anne Hathaway’s Cottage very well. I’m on a reduced week due to present capacity within the team, so really can’t be sure how long the role can sustain me or vice versa, but nevertheless I’ve been warmly welcomed into the garden team who are very focussed and enthusiastic.

Ellen Willmott borders at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, with pink poppies and foxgloves, and the thatched cottage to the rear.
Ellen Willmott borders at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage

As for my own input on this particular work front, well I’ve simply turned up and delivered what has been asked of me. Weeding and tidying, planting, pruning and presenting the gardens, indeed anything that’s needed doing; and it’s been a real breath of fresh air. My personal shift in working ways has clearly been substantial, and if you’ve followed my journey these past twelve months, then I’m sure you’ll see that horticulture is central to my existence. Just try and tell me that gardening isn’t a great healer!

In the Garden

At home I’ve been busy pottering away, but aside from watering duties have tried to stay out of the sun – I get more than enough of that at work just now. At home due to the drought the ground is concrete-like and dust dry, and has been for weeks. 

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Just before the rain dried up however I did move to amalgamate three small beds in the middle of my front garden. Making a larger bed was for two reasons: firstly to increase both interest and biodiversity, and secondly to lose a little more lawn. There is also a thirdly, in that I had a small collection of plants that desperately needed to go into the ground, and so in they went.

Naturally I took time to improve the soil before planting and dug in a couple of barrow loads of well-rotted manure, and after planting and watering I mulched the entire bed with shredded bark to lock some moisture in. I kind of knew that it would likely be the last chance to work the ground before summer did its thing, and at this stage can report that all the plants are doing well, although they have been given a good drink every three to four days.

An image of an allotment in high summer, with rows of plants and a glasshouse in the distance.
Allotment of Potential – some wins, some losses, it’s all good…

In terms of the allotment, I choose not to dwell… Let me just say that we’ve made a good effort to welcome wildlife to our family plot, although not all fauna it turns out is conducive to the growing of produce. 

We were overjoyed to find newts had moved into our wildlife pond with the frogs this year, and love seeing the blackbirds and goldfinches forage, the solitary bees, damselflies and lady birds too. But honestly, the rabbits, fox, flea beetles, cabbage white caterpillars and moles; well they can genuinely do one! I’m not even going to mention the rust on my broad beans or the ridiculously poor root crop again… Don’t worry, I’m already making plans for next year – I’m not going to be beaten that easily!

Looking Ahead

I’ll admit that although my garden journals are few and far between, I have generally written less this summer due to changes to my normal run of days. I sincerely hope this garden journal entry marks a return to my gardening and writing ways, where my words need to blossom once again.

Work, in all fairness, still has some settling down to do as I mentioned above, but I have to say that I’m riding high on positivity just now, with a feeling that something special is just around the corner. Let’s see what turns up with tomorrow’s full Buck Moon, shall we?!

On those moonlit notes I’ll sign off for now and bid you well until next time, do go steady on that watering and be sure to take care in the sun!

Gary Webb. Gardening Ways.

iPlayer link to BBC Gardeners’ World Live TV Episode

Garden Journal (No.12) – Outside Influence

| Gary Webb

Welcome to my garden journal, the place where I pause to consider my current gardening journey and look to the days ahead.

Firstly

It’s great to be back journaling again though it does seem an age since the last one, even though it was only December. I’m also delighted to confirm that this entry marks the journal’s first full year, so I’m giving myself an imaginary pat on the back as I write.

Mulling over how to celebrate my journalling accomplishment, I thought I’d remind myself of those traditional anniversary markers, and it appears that one year can be honoured with a paper gift. Paper of course plays to my writerly ideals, so now I have the perfect excuse to purchase yet another notebook. Like plants, there’s always room for another notebook!

Anyway, before I veer too far off the garden path….

On the work front…

Believe me, there’s a lot I could say on the work front, but whilst I’m in the midst of planning for the next leg of my horticultural journey, I will take this opportunity to pause just one last time to remember the most recent past. Last weekend, you see, saw the completion of four particularly valuable years working in my garden and parks consultancy role, so I could hardly sign off without a brief moment of reflection.

The G&PC role was always going to present a steep learning curve for yours truly, and though objectives were generally pretty clear, existing in the space was far from straight forward. Often it felt as if I was working in the shadows, but nonetheless it was a fascinating role and hugely rewarding, having influence of sorts over some very fine parks and gardens. Indeed, what might have begun as a simple attempt to broaden my horticultural experience, grew to be so much more.

Throughout the years, many audiobook listening miles were travelled, all balanced of course with some long hours living inside a laptop. Meetings were enjoyed and endured in some wonderfully historic attics, basements and ballrooms, although the best of them were always those hosted in gardens themselves, where lunches were often consumed amongst veteran trees, with tuneful birds and butterflies.

Sometimes the coffee hits the right spot… 100%

I’ve sipped from mugs of steaming black coffee in some of the most memorable and forgotten garden bothies ever there was, and stomped miles across parklands in cross-discipline teams discussing everything from ancient archaeology to arboriculture. There was even the odd time here or there working on the tools planting bulbs, or collecting debris after yet another flood, plus numerous round-table discussions with colleagues strategising over one garden initiative or another.

That last line brings me swiftly onto the folks I’ve worked with throughout, those who teased, tested and tried me, but equally brought out the best of me; ‘my’ gardeners, colleagues and friends. If reading this, you’ll know who you are, and should also know how much I’ve valued your counsel these last four years, I couldn’t have done it without you!

It’s been an absolute gift to have worked with some of the most resilient and talented gardeners going, who collectively turn out some of the most evocative garden spaces on the planet. Having witnessed their intellect and creativity, their tenacity and commitment, and for seeing what they’ve achieved in the tightest of situations; I have nothing but admiration for them all.

This section of my journal is therefore to record my thanks to you all, it’s been one heck of a ride. Next time the coffee is on me!

In the Garden

I’m devoting little time to my home garden and allotment section this time due to my own gardening activity being somewhat in short supply. That is not to say that I haven’t been interacting with gardens; I’ve needed plenty of garden face time in order to get me through some trying winter weeks.

Whilst reduced gardening activity is pretty standard at this time of year for non-professionals though, the turbulent weather certainly hasn’t helped in terms of motivation. Sunny days have been swiftly followed by rain, the local River Avon has gone up and down like a yoyo, and frost has touched down one day and vanished the next.

Close up image of a fern plant, the edges of its fronds touched by frost
I’ll just let you lose yourself in these leaves for a moment…

Frosty days, despite testing our metal, do however offer a visual treat only snow can improve upon. During winter’s lull when, let’s face it, many gardens are less than attractive, a dusting of frost can be magical. In my garden even commonplace fence and post tops can sparkle, which combined with a range of silvery leaves makes for a budget winter wonderland; it’s only my establishing ‘Spider’s Web’ Fatsia that complains by drooping sorrowfully – it’s always first to feel the chill.

Seeing frost up close often reminds me of my mom’s words way back in my primary school days. ‘Jack Frost’s been’ she would say, which I now realise was intended to build excitement and enthusiasm for yet another icy cold walk to school. (Luckily, I always had my Readybrek glow!)(Google it…)

Today, after many full snow moons have passed I still get a sense of excitement at the sight of a glistening garden, and Jack’s always quick to jump into my mind. I lose myself ever so easily at the sight of a crispy white lawn, some mondo grass blades or the lattice-like fronds of an evergreen fern. Thanks mom, I guess I’m saying; I do believe you’re the one who first opened my eyes to the infinite beauty of nature – your gift keeps on giving to this day.

Just a light touch from Jack Frost today…

The influence of ice crystals in the garden can of course fill it with beauty, moving the most ordinary element to an art piece, yet for wildlife, it can be a different story. It’s important then, when delighting in a few frozen moments to give a thought or two to our feathered friends.

Already in my garden we have blue tits fighting over the nest box, making our efforts to keep fresh water and some seed available through winter worthwhile. If only for the tits, a blackbird, a couple of robins and pigeons, our small offering goes a long way to keeping our local birds alive and singing. (Note: Occasionally, between refreshing bird food it’s good to disinfect items, so as to reduce the risk of spreading disease).

Looking Ahead

In the days ahead I do have to acquire seeds for the season including potatoes for chitting, and there’s a pruning session to look forward to; an establishing Wisteria in one corner of the garden in particular. I’m quite looking forward to giving my pruners a run out to be honest, and might even roll onto the roses afterwards for good measure.

Aside from the pruning, for the foreseeable future in my home plots at least, I’m happy to continue edging quietly closer to spring. Imbolc arrived with the beginning of February, the Celtic festival which amongst other things signals the mid-point between the winter solstice and spring equinox. To that end, whether you follow the Celtic fire festivals or not, we can be reassured that brighter days are ahead.

My final words for this garden journal are therefore to recommend that we all find a few quiet moments to spend in our own garden spaces, so to think for a while on the type of year you’d like to experience. Might I also suggest some gardening intentions: A training course? A new container display? A new tree? A new garden?!

Whatever you decide upon, write it down on a post-it note and stick it somewhere prominent, as that way you’re more likely to make it happen.

On that note, I’ll sign out of my garden journal number twelve and wish you well for Imbolc and beyond. Spring is on the way!

All the best, Gary. Gardening Ways.

Old Spades, New Gardening Ways

| Gary Webb

This article is a reflection on the shifting nature of gardening and considers how old methods like double digging fit into modern, sustainable practice.

I’m sure this could be applied to many activities, but if there’s one thing I’ve come to understand about gardening, it is that nothing stays the same for long: places, processes, people and of course plants themselves continue to change. There are many examples of how change plays out in life of course, but the one I pull from my gardening hat today concerns an old gardening task known as double digging.

Whilst in practice double digging wasn’t expected or carried out nearly as often as one might think, by the time I encountered the technique it was long established; a trusted method for preparing compacted or depleted ground. Whether working an allotment or old kitchen garden therefore, digging down two spits deep, incorporating organic matter and inverting the soil was considered a route to success.

Possibly due to my working situations, I didn’t often get to put my double digging skills to use, but I certainly held faith in the procedure. After all, like it or loathe it, the DD process adds nutrients and humus, opens and aerates compacted soil, and helps towards that happy place somewhere between not too wet or dry – what more could anyone possibly do to help plants grow?

A black and white image of Gary Webb weeding a patch of soil beside a compost bin.
My good self, not in the act of double digging! (Not there anyway 😉)

The idea behind this text however, is not to deliberate on whether double digging or no dig is best, or if any gardening method is superior to another. My reflections here are wholly centred around the evolution of horticultural practice, of collective and individual learning, and of thoughtfully managing change.

Continue reading →

Garden Journal (No.9) – Heritage and Horticultural Matters

| Gary Webb

Hello and welcome to my garden journal, a pausing point and record of my garden focussed world right now.

Autumn begins… I began writing this journal on Friday last, holed up in the garden hut due to persistent rain which had teemed down for hours. Being on the coat tails of storm Amy and forecast for the weekend, I was thankful that all I had to endure was the regular tapping of rain on the roof.

Now though a full week has flown by, calmer weather has returned and another Harvest Moon wanes. Thankfully I can report that storm Amy treated us kindly, all told, and certainly better than up north where much damage was reported. Locally, paths and roadsides were peppered with twigs and fallen leaves, many still in the green, whilst acorns layered the ground beneath most every oak. Autumn, it appears, has introduced its turbulent self…

Pink Nerine flowers outside an orangery building at Calke Abbey
Perfect Partners: Nerines and Erigeron at Calke Abbey

Despite the hint of destruction mentioned above, it is important to remember that autumn brings positive vibes too. For many, autumn is a time where getting out and about takes precedence, even just to kick through some leaves, or warm souls with a hot chocolate or two. Others embrace the shoulder season by slinking into some kind of pre-hibernation state, where focus shifts towards hunkering down for winter, which surely means stacking up on books and sweet treats for those long dark nights, right?

Continue reading →

Garden Journal (No.8) – In Search of Stars

| Gary Webb

My record of autumn arriving as summer fades, of scarred soil, of garden friends and foes, plus tasks planned for the home garden and family allotment, it’s all in here and more besides. 🌿

Hello and welcome to my garden journal.

Generally Speaking

Autumn… for me is an important time of year, where I try to immerse myself and take notice of every garden moment. There always seems to be an urgency to these actions, as if the garden at any moment could up sticks and leave. I don’t know why but I’m drawn to write now more than at any other time of year, endeavouring each time to capture and hold each experience in words, like cupped hands carrying water from a fresh flowing stream.

A sunrise sky and silhouette picture, where buildings and young trees are highlighted by the glow of a rising sun.
One of the golden sun rises this week, when all is calm in the garden.

Normally around now I’m drawn to comment on how the summer’s flown by, and in some ways this is still the case – especially the holiday part which disappeared in a flash! Right now though, what I mostly recall are slow moving steady days, where the door to the garden was, for the most part, left wide open. As the seasonal cycle dictates though, that wonderful open-door policy was always going to change, and that soft changeover period is upon us now, as we inch ever closer to autumn proper.

Thanks to plenty of rain in recent weeks which ended the longest and driest of periods, my early autumn garden is once again lush and vibrant, if a little weary around the margins. Days have mellowed, nights are noticeably longer, and most mornings are decidedly damp and cool.

A little white pine growing on its merry way in my garden.

Not wanting to wistfully wave summer away just yet though, I feel it’s important each day to head outside and connect with nature and the season in some way. It’s all too easy to plough on through and chip away at the tasks in hand, but a few moments of fresh air with some sun on my face, or standing bare foot to connect with the ground really does reinvigorate my soul.

⚠️ Trigger Warning for molluscophobes and arachnophobes…!

The other day though, whilst out on one such garden visit, I found myself sharing the space with a large red slug who was making their way steadily across the patio. Unlike days of old, this time I simply thought – wow, that’s a big un! I took its photo and let it go on its way, realising this too signified change, bringing an end to late night bare foot strolls around the garden in search of stars. How times change eh…

A large red slug moving across paving in a garden
They do divide opinion, but they’re pretty formidable creatures IMHO…

In the Garden

The Ground Swells – and it’s been an absolute joy to have welcomed some much-needed rain over the last couple of weeks or so; it was certainly needed. Near me water has fallen from the sky frequently and in quantity, and in no time at all what might have passed for an old rush mat out front (but was actually a lawn,) is now transformed into a lush green carpet.

I do have concerns over the border soil though, as cracks from months of desiccation are still visible – as if the ground is scarred. Recent rainfall has helped but marks remain, and whilst it’s easy to move forward without concern, in the coming season I’ll have to consider how to better support and protect the soil from which my garden grows. I feel even more mulching may be in order…

Wildlife – I think it’s fair to say that conditions for many wildlife species have been less than ideal this summer, but at least conditions are settling now to something near normal – whatever normal is, that is!

The first of two species I’ve encountered of late is our beloved Ladybird which has returned to my garden in good numbers again. It may be a small thing, but I took delight this year in carrying two of these bright red soldiers across the garden and depositing them on a black aphid infested Dahlia stem. Thankfully, just two days later one of the lady birds was still there chomping away on the aphids, and today there are no aphids at all – happy days.

The final species I’ll mention just now is a garden spider, one of the orb weavers if my I.D. app has done its job correctly. As architects and builders of some exquisite structures, their webs seem to be placed everywhere in my garden just now, spanning most gaps between sheds and garden stems. Maybe a little over a centimetre wide, they’re creamy beige in colour with dark markings. Interestingly, like a few folks I’ve worked with way back in time, sometimes they seem to hang around motionless for ages, and sometimes there’s no trace of them at all – I’ll mention no names but I always know who will have been most productive. 😉 If you can tolerate it, do study that web – it’s fascinating and holds some incredible cross bracing!

European Garden/Orb Weaver Spider

Like many, though a spidey-fan when growing up I must admit to not being drawn to actual spiders. Having gotten used to them over the years though I now just see them as garden friends, as long as I’m not getting caught up in a web that is! Mind you, as spiders are particularly active just now, my key tip would be to wave a short stick around the area in the border where you wish to work, as if you’re casting a magic spells over your plants… Option: Shout #Riddikulus to give your neighbours something to think about!

@AllotofPotential allotment – Allotmenteering has been a little hit and miss of late, although the summer holiday period always disrupts the usual flow of visits. In all fairness, the allotment is somewhat tatty around the edges, but all considered it is in fairly good order.

Stopping way short of a harvest festival write up, I can at least start by saying we’ve a small sack of good-sized onions hanging in the shed. I’m patting myself on the back for this growing achievement of course, as under-sized onions have been the norm in previous seasons. The focus on bulking-up organic matter in the soil is finally starting to pay off I believe.

A gardener crouched down, searching through soil for small potatoes
It’s not about the tan, but the tatties! Myself in action at the allotment…

Whilst the glasshouse courgette plants eventually succumbed to powdery mildew, it wasn’t until they had delivered a steady supply of fruits all summer. Pulling them out created space for drying and storing the pumpkins, which have grown and coloured up nicely. The glasshouse shade netting has also now been removed now, to increase light and heat for the remaining tomatoes.

Speaking of toms, they are finally on song now after a sluggish start, and although it’s fair to say the plants are a little unsightly (due to a lack of attention), we should be good for pasta sauce for the foreseeable. It didn’t help that one plant is seriously deformed with fasciation, but I have made a mental note to be more attentive to their needs next year in an effort to keep them on the straight and narrow.

Looking Ahead

Whilst it’s all too easy not to make the time and to save some pennies, I’m tempted again this year to plant at least a couple containers for some extra spring colour in the garden. Once they’re planted, it’s not only the anticipation they bring, but the little teasers they offer in winter as their new shoots break through, promising good things to come. Yes, they’re worth the effort, so I shall plan for those, maybe some tulips or miniature Iris, or some hyacinths for a change.

There will be some continued feeding of longer-term containers here and there with seaweed feed, and I’ll be looking to keep on dead heading, although things are slowing now. I need to lift some Stachys that is getting beyond its limits, and I’ll be raising some pots off the ground to ease their drainage – popping little clay feet beneath as many pots as I can.

More weeding of the allotment must not escape me, to check the advancement of couch grass roots into the borders. Also, as any rows become are clear of crops and weeds, and if I’m not planting with onions or garlic, I shall be looking to mulch with manure and cover them over for winter.

Outside there’s a season of compost to turn and re-cover, and a rather full bin at home, and hopefully there will be some good enough material amongst that to spread about and around. Inside the glasshouse in the coming weeks tomato plants will need to come out and the soil refreshed, so there’s plenty to keep me engaged and engrossed as always.

Rest assured that I won’t be far from my garden in the coming weeks, and I hope you’ll be in yours or visiting one or another, to experience this very special time of year. The Autumn Equinox approaches and some of the best days are ahead, so let’s get out there and embrace it!

That’s my gardening lot just now, and I’ve taken enough of your time, so I’ll sign off and wish you all the very best for the days ahead. Until next time, Gary, Gardening ways.

A Gardening Connection, at BBC Gardeners’ World Live.

| Gary Webb

You presently find me fully inspired after a visit to BBC Gardeners’ World Live at the N.E.C. in Birmingham. If you know me personally, the mention of attending a garden show might take you aback, as my preferred place of comfort would by choice be somewhere much calmer: a quiet corner of a wildflower filled garden, maybe a woodland trail, the allotment or seated on a bench in my garden. After a successful show visit therefore, to now sitting back reflecting with wholly positive thoughts, feels pretty good indeed.

Generally speaking, thinking of how we’ve moved from the local village garden show to the likes of BBC GW Live is hard to fathom. Dozens of trade stands, bottle-necked thoroughfares and variegated willows whipping you in the face when least expected. Weary stall holders wilting under the heat of a marquee alongside their perfectly grown plants, and bite-your-lip moments due to those infuriating push-me pull-me show trollies; possibly the very best and worst garden show product that ever there was!

The Plant Based Garden, by Nick Bailey

It might all sound a bit much, and in some ways it is, but there is a reverse side to the coin: a glorious and gigantic garden show in the blazing June sunshine that features the very best early summer flowers. Garden shows of this size, therefore, are meant to be exciting and busy places, and can assault your senses; but there is balance and payback if you seek it. I like to think of large garden shows as magnets, working as super central places where all and sundry converge on one location which is, let’s face it, as convenient as it gets.

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Garden Journal (No.5) – A Gardening Mind

| Gary Webb

Hello again and welcome back to my garden journal, a place where I look to capture my gardening world right now, record horticultural highlights from the preceding week or so, and look ahead at what’s up ahead – my work is a whole other subject!

Generally Speaking

Where I’m at… Roses are in full bloom and the lavender’s buzzing with bees as June seems to pick up speed. The remainder of the garden’s charmingly green, lush and fulsome, its thirst having been quenched of late. Chelsea for another year fades, its medal winning gardens now erased forever from the Royal Hospital grounds whilst closer to home, new gardens are built for Birmingham’s BBC Gardeners’ World Live which opens tomorrow – summer has arrived!

I find myself sitting in an armchair, door open to the morning garden whilst contemplating the world of gardening I find myself in; honestly, I struggle to locate myself most of the time. Whatever is happening though, I have a gardening mind that drives me forward, an allotment, home garden and family that requires regular input, and a pond pump that reliably runs around the clock – what more could I possibly want?

Don’t mention the weather – After harping on about it in my previous journal, the last thing I want now is to jump straight into a weather conversation. However, as the weather’s shift has been quite the thing of late, I simply can’t ignore it. All I will say is that in stark contrast to last time, water butts and reservoirs across the land should mostly have taken their fill, spring plantings and recently sown seeds have resumed normal growth, and the garden brims with life once again – all seems well for the weeks ahead.

Ne’er cast a clout till May is out – Gardeners’ often state May as a favourite month of the year for good reason, increased daylight hours, warmer temperatures and good moisture levels being first in mind. Herbaceous plants will have burst into life, often transformed from their below ground status to upstanding vigorous specimens, and deciduous shrubs and trees will be colouring and texturizing our garden landscape. If all this wasn’t enough, flowers will be coming and going everywhere from down low between grassy blades to the treetops, so do make sure you remember to look up for the flowers too!

Now May is out though and we find ourselves marching through June, the garden task list, like an overflowing water butt can be very full, and long days often lead us to keep on working. No sooner has the lawn been cut it’ll need cutting again, weeds seemingly sprouting up behind us, and almost everywhere we turn some little critter is trying to defoliate a favourite plant, snap a delicate tree stem or ruin a harvest. Amidst the busyness though I do look for the balance, and make time to sit back and take pride in a garden and allotment well-tended. It’s always important to pat ourselves on the back for making the effort, for creating each little oasis that speaks to wildlife as much as our wilder selves.

In the Garden

Getting knotted – Previously I spoke of a miniature landscaping project to create a Japanese themed gravel garden. All was complete for my last post except for a low fence to complete the scene, an element that was sent to test me. As symbolised by the little garden itself though, calm and peace was the overarching goal, so naturally I carried this mindset throughout the build – just.

The build, the last piece of the feature was a low bamboo-clad fence to add some height and presence to the space. On-theme I chose slimline bamboo canes that would be fixed in place with delicate little knots, so as not to dominate. The canes being no more than two feet long were a little fiddly but manageable, the decorative string though, or specifically the knots themselves, have been another story.

Still to finish, as fallen string may show, but almost a job well done…

I’m still not quite finished as I write this and I’ve a good few knots to re-tie before I can properly sit back and admire my handiwork, but it’s getting there. In trying to keep things real, I’ve attempted to use a traditional Japanese knot called Otoko-musubi, (think I’ve described that correctly) and whilst there are some good how-to videos on YouTube, none of them can easily show exactly how it’s done. I’m happy with my attempt though, as the knots arguably strike a balance between decoration and function, and I love how their tassels move in the wind.

~

New bird on the block – Last weekend our garden filled with tension as two blue tits fledged, removing themselves to the garden ground where they spent two days each. They spent their time exploring, shivering, and chirping away so they could still be found and fed, but of course our concern was for predators, who were ever present and listening in. Of the two chicks it appears one made it through, last seen flying out and away from the fence top, and of the one left behind, well let’s just say it will rest in peace. That’s nature for you. 

Blue tit fledgling, nestled amongst grass in a garden.
This was either Chirp or Cheep, the one that got away.

@AllotofPotential allotment – Wednesday brings the full Strawberry Moon, and predators allowing, I do plan to eat at least one allotment grown strawb’ in celebration; well, that’s the plan. As you might have picked up previously, I have been loosely following the moon phases when planting this year, and I mean loosely. If I’m to learn anything that is to be of use going forward, then my adherence to planting by phases of the moon must be tighter, otherwise nothing will be proven.

In my defence, whilst my back issues mentioned previously have subsided, they did throw out my allotment activity, so for a while I was forced to go with the flow. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about gardening though, it is that the best laid planting plans must sometimes adapt and change, whether due to weather, ground conditions or a sore back now and then. My moon phase planting efforts aren’t part of a scientific survey so they must flex, that’s all there is to it – and no doubt there’ll still be a harvest at the end of the season!

A gardener standing beside an allotment plot, where seed sowing is in progress against a heavy sky.
French bean seeds going into drills during a flying visit to the allotment.

Activity of late included: dwarf French beans sown; sweet peas planted; pumpkin patch formed and mulched (with new paths to create permanent beds); tomatoes planted in glasshouse; fig moved; more onion setts planted.

~

Looking ahead

On the allotment I still need to sow some carrots, but the bed is nearly ready to go – although I’ll need to wait until the full moon passes. As the mulch-matting is now in place, young pumpkin plants hardening-off at home will be planted out in a week or so, and some gherkins will go into the glasshouse border – I’m giving them another go after a somewhat modest crop last year. (Any gherkin growing tips gratefully accepted!)

In the home garden I’ve a pergola project simmering in the background, with actual materials waiting in the wings. It’ll take a while to raise its head, but hopefully in the coming weeks its footings will be complete. Looking ahead, and hopefully before summer’s out, I shall be able to sit back beneath a new growing structure and raise a glass to another meditative garden project delivered – the best laid plans eh…

Might I see you at BBC Gardeners’ World Live, if you’re going on Friday?

~

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

p.s. Do check out my last essay Not Just a Patch of Moss 🌿

Garden Journal

| Gary Webb

Post No.1. January 20. 2025.

Well, I’m back again with my re-shooting garden journal just as promised. Mind you, given that gardening for me is somewhat thin on the ground just now, I’ll concede that the ‘garden’ part as mentioned in the title could be considered somewhat misleading. I implore you to stick with it however, as gardening will feature if you can read on long enough!

Generally Speaking

It seems odd that already we’ve turned enough diary pages to see us comfortably beyond the second full working week of the year, and memories of that Christmas break along with January’s wolf moon itself are fading fast. Over the course of winter, like many others, I too hear that inner calling to hibernate, or in the very least a plea to slow right down and take things easier. Nevertheless, with a level head, I also hear the mightier cry to pay off those festive bills; so also like many others, my Christmas default position rests somewhere awkwardly between work, rest and play.

Yes that was my good self, captured out stretching my legs last weekend…

In all fairness though, whilst for many the Christmas period can be incredibly busy and stressful, I do count my blessings in being able to ease back on the throttle for a few precious days and take things easier. During the holidays then, whilst overall the usual lively family time was enjoyed, I was still able to carve out time for some much-needed reflection and contemplation. Through reading, some atmospheric local walks and meditation, which have become hugely important to my wellbeing over the last two years or so, I thankfully glided through the season unscathed and felt somewhat refreshed – if only it had lasted!

In the Garden

Thankfully, whilst in my home garden little is moving, I’m glad to say that we, as in Mrs. W. and myself have successfully achieved our first 2025 session at the allotment garden. To be fair the session could have waited, but with the weather, ground conditions and a time slot opening, it felt good to get the gloves on and to at least do a little towards the new growing season.

A weed covered soil patch at an English allotment site.
Before work started it all looked a little bit sad, but the weeds were having a ball for sure!

Understanding that some plants offer useful winter refuge for wildlife, we tentatively started by cutting hard to the ground last season’s ornamental woody herbaceous growth. Knowing that some dried stems can be useful as food or nesting material for birds in the coming weeks, the ones pruned were all the other random sticks, the ones useless to man nor beast. All the pruned material was removed away to the compost bin – everything being recycled.

Elsewhere on the plot I set about cleaning up the space where last year’s pumpkins were grown and an adjacent weedy bed with a few unproductive cabbage stems. In this space, previously mostly covered with matting, the task was to tease out the weed growth initially, and particularly through the middle and around the perimeter where weeds have been trying to get a foot hold; relatively straight forward all things considered.

At least I know where I’ve been…to be continued…

Going forward, my plan is to sub-divide this large bed into four strip beds, each four feet across with narrow paths in between. As tested elsewhere on the plot, the strip system makes it easier to work the soil from each side without stepping on the growing ground at all: a long-established method of growing that preserves the soil, one that will better contribute to my goal of no-to-minimal dig growing. Once the last of the weeding is complete in this space then, I shall look to carve out and establish the paths and bed areas, which worked really well elsewhere on the allotment last year. Finally I shall cap over the beds with compost to enrich the soil.

Looking Ahead

Without wanting to overshoot my garden journal stay which is intended to be short and sweet, I will roundup by swiftly looking ahead to my gardening activity in the next week or so. Hopefully, time may present itself to return to the plot, but of prime importance is the need to secure some seed potatoes that will need chitting in the coming weeks; more on that in due course. Otherwise, I shall be looking to acquire some onion sets and seeds, so some retail therapy is definitely in my stars.

Finally, as bird nesting season approaches along with some more challenging weather no doubt, I shall be continuing to provide clean water and fresh seed in the garden. Oh yes, and I’ve also a new bird box to install, but not before some small-scale decorating to make the birds feel welcome – all TBC!

For now, I’ll wish you all the best, and will sign off from my first garden journal edition. 

Regards, Gary Webb. Gardening ways.

Sun setting across the fields, seen through a silhouetted tree
Sunset over Charlecote way, captured on a late afternoon head clearing stroll…