Garden update: NGS and a new team member

Two main areas of focus consume us at present: preparing the garden for our National Garden Scheme opening and market gardening.  We are proud to be in the ‘Yellow Book’ and to open our gardens in aid of the brilliant charities that the NGS support.  They are predominantly nursing and health charities, especially those such as Horatio’s Garden and Perennial that support gardening as well.  We had a busy Saturday last weekend and look forward to another busy day juggling cakes and cups of tea again over the Jubilee weekend.  It is a real joy observing people enjoying the gardens here. 

Last year the NGS raised over £3 million pounds.  That’s amazing!  But it’s also a struggle to keep a large 5 acre garden, not only under control, but also alive in every sense – both healthily and creatively.    I am gardening more and more ‘on the wild side’ only intervening when my precious plants are looking likely to be consumed by their neighbours.  Whether an interloper is deemed to be a ‘weed’ is a subjective view.  A buttercup, clump of speedwell or groundsel in the right place is a delight, even a dock head I have found to be effective alongside some alstromeria.  On the other hand a clump of Inula Gigantea marching through the bed is a thug and has to go!   It’s another parallel between the natural world and our own mental health I believe.  How much in control do we need to be?  Ideally relaxed but holding on to our identities and character.  Tricky! 

Richard Humphreys has joined our team to help whip our market garden into shape.  Richard has masses of growing experience and is very energetic – he even cycles here from his home in Tonbridge!  We aspire to be able to supply the Farm Shop with delicious organically grown vegetables that cannot be found in Waitrose!  So watch this space and you will soon find all sorts of delights in the new veggie area of our extended Farm Shop.