February 2025
The week started in the grounds of a Grade 1 listed church near Usk in Monmouthshire. Clearing Bracken litter and renovating a derelict churchyard hedge, revealing a glorious display of Snowdrops.
Day 2 saw Matt, Clare & myself closer to home in a walled garden in the grounds of a South Gloustershire historic estate. Year 1 of a 3 year plan to restore some intensively pruned fruit trees to a more easily managed, healthy and productive renewal pruning system. The espalier pears had their winter spur pruning task completed. Soft fruit in the fruit cage also done.
The previous approach had resulted in a hedge like thicket of water shoots with no fruit buds and signs of mildew disease.
Whilst Matt was lost in a forest of apple shoots, I turned my attention (loppers, pruning saw and secateurs) to a much neglected fig. Will get Stonemason Keith to look at the leaning brick wall of the 18th century walled garden (hope the fig wasn’t holding it up).
Harry was closer to his base in Lydney, continuing our most recent project; restoration of a derelict orchard in Gwehelog near Usk. Three acres of 6ft high bramble and 300 fruit trees. Hoping to get some pruning done on enough of the apples before their form is too gone. Ambition is a good thing. As are Husqvarna brushcutters with mulching blades. A ride-on brushcutter is on the wish list. Must remember to do the pots aswell.
Day 3 back into Monmouthshire, near Llantilio Crossenny, for a garden that opens under the yellow book National Gardens Scheme. Clearing storm damage, early pruning roses, adding a bay to the compost bins, pollarding willows. The snowdrops and leafless Hellebores looking especially good.
Two of the team were closer to home in the Wye Valley near Chepstow. Some laurel hedge renovation whilst the builders weren’t getting in the way. Heavy mist on the River Wye seen from the Watchtower.
Day 4, another Monmouthshire garden, one of my furthest flung regular year round gardening committments, just east of Abergavenny. Setting up a second kitchen garden requires good compost making facilities.
Great fun to be building things, a bit of variety from the pruning, brushcutting, weeding….
Day 5, van’s got an engine warning light so thats my week scuppered. A perfect week in the life.