October 2011

What’s going on…

Where did summer go?  Did it actually arrive?  Or has it been and gone, rather like the shining moment when cherry blossoms are out in full force, but turn away for just a second and before you know it, it has disappeared.  That is what summer 2011 has felt like.

However, just as we thought it was over and we are preparing ourselves for autumn and colder times ahead, the sun beams down, magnificently for one last spell.  27ºC for October?  “Absolutely no chance!” I hear you say.  Though it is true.  An anomaly in our somewhat unpredictable weather, but one that gave the nation one last glimmer of summer before it retreats into the dark voyage of winter.

The weather really is a remarkable thing.  We British are obsessed with it.  We moan about it on a daily basis, but yet it is the pivotal ice-breaker for any conversation, so to that we must pay our respects and thank the weather for our introduction to October being a gloriously sweltering affair.

The sunshine is short-lived once more and Tuesday 4^th October kicks in and it is like the hot-spell never occurred.  We are officially in Autumn.  However, do not be disgruntled by this as autumn brings with it a palette of colours of varying shades and textures so get out there and begin snapping!

Within the Garden Museum there is plenty to do.  October is a time of clearing leaves, pruning, clearing leaves, cutting, oh, and did I mention clearing leaves?  It’s a thankless task but one that is still equally important as any other.  The Garden Museum has a row of London Plane (Platinus x hispanica) growing next to it.  As spectacular as they are, so is the volume of leaves that they produce.

However, we have plenty of rakes and volunteers who are not afraid to get stuck in!  (I cannot help but feel that this is some sort of initiation to be part of the Museum).  This will be the main bulk of the work taking place within the garden and competing with the trees to keep the garden looking presentable.

On a different note, there are plenty of tasks to undertake within the garden.  The Virginia creeper will not learn its lesson that it has to share the wall, not utilise all of it, so that will be given a good cut back for the winter period.

The Great Dixter border is looking a bit unsightly now and is definitely in need of some assistance so this will be worked on.  Sarah Price, award-winning garden designer, will be joining the Museum’s knowledgeable team and with myself, may be providing some evolutionary ideas to develop and enhance the border without it losing its integrity and character.

There is a lot to learn working for the museum and caring for the gardens is both a privilege and rewarding.  I cannot wait to get stuck in to some proper horticulture and do my very best by the Garden Museum and all those who visit it.  So let’s pick up our tools and head into autumn with our heads held high.

Gareth