May 2008
Nursery news
Of the "new" introductions mentioned in February's newsletter, the native meadow rue and the Govan Catmint are no more. Only one meadow rue came up and was promptly sold to John in Airdrie who always is first to order unusual things, and the Nepeta govaniana once again thrived for a few eeks then keeled over and died, to a plant. However, despite the long, cold, wet spring we endured in Perthshire, everything else is now coming on, and we now can offer the "BALM OF GILEAD" (Cedronella), a beautiful, vigorous, aromatic plant which up here we will keep in the greenhouse over winter. I believe in warmer latitudes it is hardy enough to plant out.
Pelargoniums - learning from your mistakes
Last autumn our stock plants of all Pelargoniums were looking harassed. I decided they would benefit from a severe amputation of all limbs, which, theory told me, would produce lush new growth in spring. Well, it did with some, while others just were shocked into a comatose state and remain there. Those that DID sprout did so only in the last few weeks with the resulkt we were without cutting material when all the orders were piling in. So apologies for those of you who have been waiting for them, and a warning to others not to make the same mistake.
The Garden
Like many of you this year, we are redoubling our eforts to grow more of our own food. Four new apple trees, including some old Scottish varieties form a new boundary to the re-vamped vegetable beds - now only 2 but of a sensible size and shape - ie. rectangular, not rhomboid, trapezioid or triangular like the last lot. Someone should tell that nice man of Gardeners World just how much ground Elder and Creeping Buttercup can lurk in those acute angles. Some interesting Scottish potatoes (inc. Highland Burgundy Red - a beauty!), scorzonera and celeriac join our usual preferences, along with this year's most popular plant so far withour doubt - Tree Spinach. This tall, branching annual has masses of shocking pink shoots from which the flower buds emerge and are lovely stir-fried. Last year it persist until a very heavy December frost, so good value.
Bees, Blackbirds, Poultry and Others
Like many, we have noticed a quietness in the garden this year so far - less bees and, since we lost our own hive, virtually no honeybees. At present we can't find the time or energy to bee-keep responsibly (but do not intend this state of affairs to be permanent), so intend to focus even more on providing plants and habitats to support the native populations. One nice thing was to discover that mining bees had moved into one of my borders and were seen popping in and out of little holes in the ground. Good - another excuse not to weed!
Our hens hatched 5 chicks and 3 survived, our poor goose, after 5 weeks solid sitting, hatched one gosling, which didn't survive. What a shame. The parents were so proud, too. The resident blackbirds have been busy and are on their second brood, as are the blue tits in the latest nestbox. But they have to be wary - the jackdaw population has taken to hunting the young birds down to feed their chicks. We haven't seen this before to any extent and it is distressing, I wonder if there is a general food shortage in the bird world.
Events and Markets
Over the next few months we will be found at:
1.6.08 GRANDTULLY GALA DAY, GRANDTULLY, PERTHSHIRE
28.6.08 BLAIRGOWRIE MARKET
6.7.08 LETHAM VICTORIAN MARKET, LETHAM ANGUS
12.7.08 CRIEFF MARKET
OR ABERFELDY
23.8.08 BLAIRGOWRIE MARKET
5-7.9.08 DUNDEE FLOWER AND FOOD FESTIVAL
The nursery is open by appointment - which after 5th June will be most days in the week except when we're not! In other words, phone first!
Workshops are on 13th September (Gardening for Wildlife) and 11th October (Wild Food Foraging in Autumn). See Courses Workshops Education for more information!
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