My garden is certainly an escape, but an escape to reality, for this, rather then the nightly fare of death and destruction delivered by news bulletins is what endures. Spring returns each year. Summer erupts into a billowing shower of flowers. Autumn banishes our failures and out successes in equal measures, and winter provides a yearly cauterisation during which we can plot and plan for next year with the gardeners unfailing optimism.
Written by Alan Titchmarsh 2012
I frequently read this statement written by Alan and totally endorse what is said. Many years ago my son and I saw Alan walking with his family around Chelsea Flower Show, there were no cameras, no reason why he should speak with us but we decided to ask for his autograph. We were welcomed with open arms, a cheerful optimistic person full of excitement and enthusiasm for where he was. A truly wonderful person to meet.
December 2018 Crail, Scotland
Weather: Fresh and clear and invigorating
Where do I start? I would surmise the worst problem I encountered in 2018 was the weather. The spring was wet and dull, and the summer in East Yorkshire boasted temperatures of 35 degrees plus, I love the sunshine but I did not enjoy the weather. I was recently speaking with a client who I think put what I felt into context, she said that we in England prefer to travel to a hot country and when at home we enjoy the weekly or even daily change in the weather, one day its sunny the next rain, but it refreshes and allows us space to breathe. The more I try to analyse the more I think she was correct. The only thing which we did not experience in East Yorkshire was a hosepipe ban, which really shocked me, however the increase in my water bill shocked me far more and it is with that in mind I am determined to use water even more wisely than perhaps I did. Over the winter period the vegetable beds have been heavily fed with organic matter, ready for the new season and come March the flower beds will likewise be given a heavy covering of mulch in order that I can conserve as much moisture as possible. In 2017 the vegetable beds received large amounts of mushroom compost, I am aware that there is little or no nutritional value to mushroom compost but the improvement to the soil has been a real bonus. The main vegetable beds at Springfield are not located in the most ideal location. The orientation does not allow for sun loving crops to be grown. There are two large trees a beech which is taller than the house and a sycamore, both take vital water from the beds and if that's not enough the house also casts a shadow, I often get annoyed when I read books that seem to presume ‘All Gardens face south’ Well mine doesn't as I am sure a lot of yours do not, but I don't give in and with trial and error I am now producing reasonable crops for the table.
The first plan of action for the new growing season is to make a list of vegetables and fruit you like to eat, then redefine the list because if your like me and are looking through a seed catalogue you will have added lots of vegetables that would not stand a chance of growing in your garden, I am aware that some I can purchase more cheaply in the supermarkets, but I guarantee you they will not taste like those which you have grown from seed , and as I have written many times before, the satisfaction of knowing there have been no chemicals used in their production makes me feel I suppose slightly superior.