low flying jets

Don't ever let anyone kid you that living in the country is quiet. In an effort to render first aid to some of the sickest plants in the garden, (loads now starting to droop and keel over) I decided to cut down their foilage to help them along a little. This may put the garden into an advance autumnal mode but that's better than losing half my plants. So out I go with cutters in hand only to become intimate with the undersides of not one but three very large jets. I saw another coming at me through the trees - now I know what it felt like for those guys in "Saving Private Ryan" when they hear the rumble of tank tracks in the distance.

I actually get a thrill from watching jets most of the time - but three at once was a bit much I can tell you. If the plants don't die from thirst they will probably curl over in fright. Once my woshing friends had passed (the breeze created by the downdraft was welcome) I continued with my quest. Cutting back on plant foilage may just help in the drought and will put less stress on the plant - obviously I have only done this with plants which have flowered but there are now lots coming into that category, including for example Astrantia and Hardy Geraniums.

There is still no sign of rain in this one of the wettest county's in Britain - they say it might rain tonight - we'll see, but in the meantime the compost bin is going to get awfully full.

garden nightmare

I return home after a pleasant, if hot, few days at Tatton and find desolation! Even the lavender is wilting and I had to spend several minutes pleading with one particular plant not to leave me but to keep on in there! Many of the roses are Champions and bearing up very well, but the ground is rock hard - in the last 10 years in Cumbria I have never seen my garden so dry - it is not just the lack of rain but of course the intense heat which we have had over the last few weeks which is probably making the difference.

In support of our southern gardening friends who cannot use a hosepipe I decide to refrain from using one also. Its bucket time once again and first aid is given to the most deserving cases. I consider ringing Lullingstone Castle and asking Tom if he will let Reg Cannon come over and give us a rain dance. Things are getting pretty desperate. I don't want to ruin holidays, I just pray for a good downpour overnight occasionally, but there is not a drop not even a squeak of a shower.

The slimeball invaders are still slithering around and have endeavoured to make several concerted attacks on hostas while I have been away - snails are gardening mercenaries - I really don't know what they are supposed to do in the great scheme of things but I do know I would rather they take their campaigns somewhere else.

It's time to go and get another bucket. Ah well.

brilliant gardens - brilliant sun

Well it certainly is hot at Tatton. It topped over 30 today and everyone was frying!! I feel so sorry for the gardeners and designers who have to keep their lovely plants from wilting - it really is an effort for everyone. They say it's going to get even hotter tomorrow - I can't believe that but then anything can happen in global warming. There are some lovely people in gardening - thanks to Clive Scott who designed the "Into the Valley" garden (pictured left) for his hospitality - he offered me a seat in the shade and a cool drink with ice! You can't get much better than that.

Well done to everyone at Tatton for getting the show ready in really difficult conditions. Hopefully it might cool down at bit over the next few days.

I hope that i have lost a couple of pounds over these last few days - in theory I should have done. Cheaper than the sauna anyway! Worried that I rubbed in my sun cream today instead of just leaving it on the surface - and just loved that cat garden - nice to see gardeners thinking of our moggie friends instead of chasing them away.

the car's on fire!

This really is so not funny - the temp. inside the car on my return is 40!!! Scorched hands on the driving wheel - the bronzed bodies are still toiling and I can't bear to watch them anymore - they are making me feel tired - so its time to hit the motorway and go home. Good luck to everyone for tomorrow's deadlines - post-it reminder to purchase another tube of sun cream - hope some of those lads with the bare chests have got factor 50 on!

Tomorrow promises plenty - some of the gardens are brilliant.

People are melting

It's not far off high noon at Tatton and people are melting! It's just as well I didn't spend that enormous sum on a trip to the Turks and Cacos Islands what with all this tropical sunshine in good old blighty.

There are numerous bronzed bodied men displaying their torsos as they toil in the heat to beat the deadlines for getting their gardens ready. I note that many of the ladies are sensible and are wearing sun hats at least! Someone is blasting out the Beach Boys which seems appropriate. I am about to melt myself and have good cause to think 'never has so much been owed by so many to so few gardeners' as everyone here sets too despite it now being over 30 - just so that Joe Public will be able to see all those lovely gardens on Wednesday.

visiting gardens we will go

I have spent the weekend visiting my neighbour's gardens in the village where I live. It's great to see how other people manage their personal landscapes whether it be a little space or quite a big one. From small terrace gardens to lovely woodland gardens, we had quite a variety. The weather was so hot that it reminded me of a 1950s film about the earth getting hotter and hotter - I think it was called The day the earth caught fire - or some such. Anyway, the long hot spell has seen a lot of activity re watering, whether creative or just plain out of the tap.

Much activity with buckets, hoses and cans. New promises to plant more drought reliable plants - problem is its so wet where I live in the winter that they probably wouldn't survive!

Tomorrow its off to Tatton to take a look at preparations for preview day on Tuesday.I believe its still going to be hot - well don't grumble everyone let's make the most of it.

to blog or not to blog

Being one of the older generation this blog thing is a little strange but we must all move on so if this is a medium through which I can give vent to my inner feelings then so be it. Having looked at a few other blogs I must say they were certainly entertaining although I must confess that my inner sobriety might prevent me initially from being too bold!

Having just survived two really tropical days at Hampton Court Flower Show I am steadily coming down to earth and getting ready for the next show on the round Tatton. Hampton was indeed a joy, not just the great gardens, the weather and all those purchasing opportunities, but the whole atmosphere is enjoyable and comfortable. Although I just love Chelsea I have to confess that at times I feel like a sardine in a can, whereas at Hampton Court there is room to breath. I have never had the urge to paddle in all those lovely ponds and water features in the past but on Preview Day if someone had offered I think I would have willingly obliged, it was so hot - even the wallaby on the Bantock/Anglo Auto water garden looked cooked and surely he should be used to heat!

We shouldn't moan about the weather, as gardeners we are either moaning because it hasn't rained or moaning because it has rained too much - in all seasons things will have their will and what will be will be - its what makes gardening such fun and a challenge.

Well that's my first blog out of the way - don't know how I feel about it - I think if someone responds I'll probably faint!

Reckless Gardener

Welcome to Reckless Gardener's new web blog!