Herbie the Pheasant...

Its the end of another year, and again the topic of most conversations has been the weather. At the end of November it started to get cold, the boiler was fired up for the conservatory and all the surrounding areas were snowed in; but the Midlands was spared. Then it arrived, and everything ground to a halt. The cold snap was with us for nearly a month and almost the entire year’s heating fuel for the conservatory has been used up. A water pipe froze and cracked in the kitchen garden, a pipe burst in the potting shed, and the waste water outlet to our bath froze so that the bath wouldn’t empty for several days, but apart from that we have been let off lightly.

There was so much snow fall that Mr Berkeley was worried incase the weight would bring branches down, so one of the jobs involved walking round the gardens knocking snow off the trees and shrubs with a stout stick. This sounds fun but became rather frustrating as the snow didn’t stop falling and all that was knocked off was swiftly replaced.

The hoar frost on the foliage around the gardens made a spectacular sight: a great opportunity to get out and about with a camera. Icicles started to grow from the guttering on the melon houses and just before the thaw they had reached the ground (see picture). We also had a few worrying moments when the melon house heaters repeatedly tripped and wouldn’t stay on, however this seems to have corrected itsself now.

I have a ‘pet’ pheasant that Steve named Herbie, who rushes up when I am working. He is quite distinctive as he has paler coloured back feathers than is usual. I have been carrying a pocket full of grain, dropping a few bits whenever he is about. Pheasant are quick learners where food is concerned. We have also been feeding the birds in our cottage garden, using an old poultry feeder that has protected the feed from the falling snow, as well as filling peanut feeders that hang from the trees.

This year for the first time the Spetchley staff were invited to Berkeley Castle, along with their spouses, to join staff and volunteers for a Christmas meal in the Great Hall. It was a splendid occasion, rounded off by the appearance of two Santas, ( looking remarkably similar to the two Berkeley brothers), who proceded to hand out small gifts to the guests. We had organised our own Christmas party for our garden volunteers at Spetchley but unfortunately it had to be cancelled due to the snow. I hope to rearrange the date and have an outing in the summer instead.

Best wishes

Kate

January Tasks

Regularly check greenhouse heaters are working, and insulate the greenhouse where possible.
Keep an eye out for wind damage on tall plants, check tree ties and stakes.
Drain down or insulate waterpipes. Even full watering cans left out can become damaged through ice expansion.
Book machinery in for a service early in the new year.
Make the most of ‘indoor days’ to plan for next season, with seed catalogues and a layout of the garden.
Use warmer days to walk round the garden, looking at the shape and structure of the plants, and planning any projects for next year.
Dig over the veg patch on sunny dry days, and add manure if not growing root crops.
Prune back grape vines before the end of the month
Cover rhubarb crowns with straw and a forcer to grow early stems.(This cannot be done every year as it weakens the plant).
And don’t forget to feed the birds, ensuring they also have access to unfrozen water.