Spring has sprung and we are at the point where frequent visits to the garden centre are absolutely crucial! I’m enjoying my morning cup of tea in the garden whenever possible, the windowsill is jam packed with seedlings and Friday nights are henceforth renamed ‘Monty time’ (Gardener’s World).
Gardening season is well and truly upon us, and we couldn’t be happier about it.
Somebody said to me the other day that a Summer garden is made in the Spring, and it is so true! All the jobs that are done in the garden now will be appreciated in a few month’s time, and it feels like an amazing achievement when you tick off a few more garden jobs.
Whilst the Spring bulbs die back, and you wait for the next eruption of blooms, we have some garden ornament pals scattered in the flower beds to keep up the whimsy when the flowers can’t. I have the’ Wind in the Willows’ gang in my flower beds (my little boy LOVES saying hello to them all each day), and mum has a full-blown fairy house village in her woodland walk area, as well as some gorgeous rusty garden decorations of all shapes and sizes. They keep things interesting for visitors of all ages and distract a bit from the weeds!
In the tearoom walled garden it won’t be long until the roses explode into bloom and guests are treated to the David Austin roses in all their glory. As the evenings fall, we get to enjoy the twinkles from the solar lights hanging in the trees and staked in the flower beds, such a wonderful way to end a long day making beds & baking cakes. We never take it for granted and really appreciate just how fortunate we are!
We tend to have one garden project on the go each year, creating /making-over a new little corner of the garden. It’s easier to focus on a smaller section and get a quicker impact in that area rather than spreading your attention trying to transform a bigger space.
This year’s project is quite a big one though! Visitors will see that we have already removed a large shrubbery from the driveway, levelled and re-surfaced the area in preparation for grand plans for an enclosed courtyard area at the front of the tea room. The old asbestos garage has now been removed in preparation for a beautiful garden room due to be built by ‘OECO Garden Rooms’ at the end of this month.
When the work to build the garden room is complete we plan to resurface the new courtyard area with block paving and enclose the courtyard with dry stone walling (built by Mr Clarke’s Farm himself).
Once we have a courtyard area it should improve accessibility to the tearoom for less mobile guests, and we hope to sell some potted plants from a little stand there – this is more about the enjoyment Mum and I will get from creating little pots and displays than it is about selling them! But they will be for sale whilst also creating a pretty feature in Spring/Summer months.
We are by no means garden experts - but just love to be outside. Our walled garden in the centre of the village is really the most beautiful oasis of calm. Plenty of cottage garden flowers, but also a wildlife haven which we love to share with guests. And we love sharing it with you! Either in person or by supplying you with our garden treasures.