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May Cottage Open Garden and Plant Swap and Garden Visit 11th June 2011
The Summer Garden
My garden visit day took on a new format this year, starting with a plant swap when students brought their surplus plants to exchange. This was very popular. The day was so well attended that students had to explore the garden in two separate groups. The garden was at the height of its splendour and also showed to advantage the Chelsea Chop of perennials. The new pond, surrounded by poppies and ragged robin, proved a great hit with students and continues to be a favourite watering hole for local birds.
After a light lunch, we proceeded to Atcombe House, near Stroud, to visit its garden, where in particular we admired the wonderful collection of paeonies. The garden is on steeply sloping ground and is a good example of how to design on difficult terrain.
Tea and home-made cakes made a welcome break, followed by a walk in the woods on the wild side.
Watch this space for next year's event.
What's going on
In the veg. garden, the co-planting of sweet corn and courgettes is being very successful. The courgettes shade the ground and help control the weeds under the corn.
Recently, a young toad has taken up residence in a grow-bag, where it is protecting the aubergine plants from slug depredation.