Gardeners Hibernation?

I'm afraid its not true, as i mentioned in a previous post there is much to do in those autumn and winter months that encompass our closed season.  Patently our garden is not designed with winter in mind, perhaps it would be a waste of growing space that could be taken up by plants that display their decorative merits when the sun is shining and the garden is full of visitors.  However we do have a few jewels in the otherwise spartan winter crown. The Wintersweet (Chimonmanthus praecox) is often detected with the nose before the eyes, being a winter flowering plant it needs to use every means necessary to attract the few pollinators that are still around.

 

Plants are always paramount in our plans and these last few weeks have given us an opportunity to renewal prune the shrubs that haven't yet been looked at since the rejuvenation project began. 

 

The last building project that were have planned is underway and going well.  The soft fruit garden is around half way complete and should be complete within a few weeks (weather permitting).  This will allow us to add soft fruits to our produce list including Strawberries, Currants, Raspberries, Blackberries and perhaps even Blueberries if we produce the correct soil conditions.

 

Vegetables are still finding their way to the Hall although in the form of a less diverse selection as dictated by our season, still we have been sending Jerusalem artichoke, Kale, Chard, Garlic, Radish, Spring Onion, Onions, Garlic, Leeks, Celery, Celeriac and even the occasional Globe artichoke.

 

The volunteers continue to bring their much welcomed assistance helping clear the last few overgrown borders before the marathon mulching mission begins in the next few weeks.

 

The dark mornings afford the opportunity to witness the sunrise from the Hortus conclusus that is the walled garden, this is a real privilege and something i wish we could package up and save for our visitors, for now however a photograph or two shall have to suffice.