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Removed reverted branches of variegated shrubs.
Remove suckers (growth from the roots) from roses, lilac and other suckering shrubs.
Shade and ventilate greenhouses, and keep paths dampened on warm days.
Remove spring bulb foliage when it can be lifted easily.
The Spring seems to have started a couple of weeks earlier this year.
Magnolias, Rhododendrons and flowering cherries all look fantastic.
The trilliums have been very good this year (see pic) and some plants that were left over from a group we replanted swiftly sold on the plant stall.
The kitchen garden project is going well with many veg sown and planted out. The basic plan of the garden have been laid out but there is still alot of work to be done. We still have the fruit cage to build, and a group of cold frames to construct in an area to the north of the garden. It is worth a visit to see the progress as this is going to be a long term project.
The BBC rang last month about doing a short piece on the gardens as part of a series they are intending to film at Berkeley Castle. They were particularly interested in our kitchen garden project and are hoping to visit for filming at the end of May. Their presenter is the current Blue Peter gardener ( I am a bit out of touch with current children's tv, so had no idea who he is), who likes to get involved with the work at the places he films. We have several ideas for tasks....
Chris, the forester has been installing tree guards to protect some new tree avenues in the fields between the gardens and the deer park.
Old avenues that were lost to dutch elm disease are being reinstated, but instead of using elm they have chosen oak this time.
The most exciting thing to happen last month, apart from a group of travellers camping in the next field to the gardens, was a towering inferno in the deer park! Dead wood was being cleared away and burnt on a controlled bonfire, and all went well until the wind changed and sparks set fire to a standing dead tree in the vicinity. We are told it looked like a vast olympic torch! Two fire engines arrived at the scene, and managed to safely douse the fire but it was quite an experience for those involved.
The plant fair at the beginning of April went very well, with all the help we received from the RHS. There was a large marquee on the main lawn, and about twice the usual number of stands. We were swamped by over 2000 visitors enjoying the sunny weather, tours of the gardens, talks and all the stalls.
Best Wishes
Kate Portman
Prune spring flowering clematis after flowering.
Stake tall or floppy herbaceous plants, especially dahlias whose stems are brittle.
Bedding plants can be planted out towards the end of the month, after the last frosts have passed. Ensure they are gently acclimatised to the change in temperature outside the greenhouse or cold frame.
Trim back spreading alpines such as aubrietia and arabis after flowering.
Winter protection can now be removed from more tender plants.
Dahlia and cannas can be safely planted out if the new shoots are not required for cuttings.
Check variegated shrubs and prune out any reverted shoots.
In the vegetable garden sow beetroot, radish, spinach, carrots, peas and beans.
Plants that are growing in pots would benefit from a feed If you removed your pond pump last autumn, now is the time to check it over and replace it for the summer.
The end of March has been bright and sunny. Daffodils are making a really bright show, early cyclamen and primroses look colourful and the daphne smell really sweet. March has been such a cheerful time of year.
We have had plenty of good weather for reseeding the patches of grass where several conifers had been removed in the Millennium Garden. We had also lost a large, old cherry tree by the Fountain Beds in the gales, which gave us the opportunity to replant part of the yew hedge, and reseed the bare patch of earth where the grass had been shaded out.
The gales also damaged the conservatory and several panes of glass slid off the frame, smashing on the ground. The powers that be are now trying to gather quotes for repair, and posible restoration.
The kitchen garden is finally making great progress: The paths have been installed, the fruit cage has been marked out (see pic), fruit bushes and most of the box plants are now planted and some of the vegetables have already been sown. We have a new volunteer helping out now; Richard L. is a TV researcher, but likes to spend some of his spare time in the gardens. His help has been invaluble with the construction of the new garden.
Richard D. is now away from work for about two months as he recovers after his knee operation. His temporary replacement, Phil is enjoying the work on a big estate after several years working in gardening in London.
He is getting plenty of variety as preparation work for the RHS sponsored Plant Fair on 15th April has begun.
Pot up dahlias and cannas in the greenhouse to give them a head start.
Cut down ( pollard) willows and cornus that are grown for their winter colour.
Begin to prepare the vegetable patch, clearing and digging over on fine dry days.
Cut down autumn fruiting raspberries
Dig up and divide congested clumps of snowdrops etc as the flowers fade.
Start to cut grass on a high cut, when the lawn is dry enough and the weather is sunny.
February proved to be a very challenging month due to the rather inclement weather. For a couple of days in the middle of February there were snowmen appearing in various places, and care had to be taken when walking through gateways due to the risk of snowball attack. A 'snow angel' even appeared in the Stable Yard, thanks to Richard. It certainly livened up an otherwise wet and dismal month.
In the garden the promise of spring is beginning to show. Blue and white crocus are all out along the Long Walk,(see pic.) looking like a coloured carpet when the sun is out. Early daffodils are beginning to open their flowers and the blossom is on the flowering cherries. This is my favourite time of year as the dullness of winter gives way to early spring colour.
The high rainfall has caused a lot of problems as the ground has become so saturated that lawns are puddled and borders are unworkable.
However, one good thing is that the lake is now filled to capacity for the first time in at least 5 years, overflowing through the eel trap and leaving behind several rather large eels. Mr Berkeley was keen for us to try them and arranged a teaching session on skinning, gutting and preparing an eel with Miss Berkeley. I am afraid that I declined the kind offer, but Mike and Richard are now fully skilled eel skinners. Checking the eel trap has become a regular task until water levels drop again...
