Tag: garden reviews

Probably the Best Walled Garden in North Norfolk

Felbrigg’s Walled Garden

Felbrigg’s Walled Garden in North Norfolk is a must-visit destination for those passionate about horticulture and sustainable practices. Managed by the National Trust, this garden has embraced organic gardening techniques for nearly two decades, abstaining from pesticide use. A key practice here is mulching, which involves covering the soil with organic materials to retain moisture, suppress weeds and enrich the soil as it decomposes. Additionally, companion planting is utilised to enhance plant growth and deter pests naturally.

Mulching Magic for Sandy Soil

Sandy soil can present some challenges, but the gardeners at Felbrigg have mastered the art of managing it. They cleverly use mulches to suppress weeds and enhance the soil’s ability to retain moisture and nutrients. Think of it as wrapping the soil in a snug blanket to keep conditions optimal. This technique results in a vibrant and green landscape, much to the delight of the plants. Felbrigg’s team are well-versed in garden care, focusing not only on plant growth but also on maintaining soil health.

Felbrigg Hall Walled Garden September 2024

Clever Companion Planting & Bantams on Pest Patrol

Felbrigg uses a brilliant technique called companion planting, where friendly plants are paired together for mutual benefit. Think of it as matchmaking for vegetables and flowers. Certain plants naturally repel pests, while others draw in beneficial insects that help maintain the garden’s health. It’s a wonderful way to protect your plants without resorting to harsh chemicals.

And then there are the Bantams. These charming little chickens act as the garden’s pest control team. They roam around, feasting on insects that dare to disturb the plants. It’s delightful to see them in action, adding a lively energy to the garden.

It’s fascinating how everything is interconnected, forming a harmonious environment. The plants support each other, and the bantams handle any pest issues. It’s teamwork at its finest, ensuring everything thrives together.

Paradise Garden

This part of the garden is designed in the style of a Paradise Garden, featuring four formal flowerbeds separated by paths and a central pond. The concept behind this garden style is to create a peaceful and serene environment that encourages contemplation and tranquillity. The earliest versions of these formal gardens originated in Persia, enclosed within high walls to provide an escape from the outside world. Water features, such as channels and rills, are a key component, offering soothing sounds and cooling the air. The scent also plays a crucial role, with citrus and fruit trees, olives, and fragrant herbs and flowers being typical elements.

The symbolism of the Paradise Garden is believed to have been inspired by the Garden of Eden, as described in religious texts such as the Book of Genesis and the Koran. Walking through this space is meant to evoke a sense of entering a peaceful retreat, with every aspect of the design aimed at promoting relaxation and introspection. The straight paths, the central pond, and the overall symmetry all contribute to creating a tranquil atmosphere. The garden also offers a picturesque view and is complemented by a number of bee hives, as well as elegantly crafted grey metalwork featured in benches, sculptures, and signage. Additionally, the presence of a Dovecote, with beautiful pure white doves, adds to the overall experience of the garden.

Further reading: Grow Stronger Together with Companion Planting, Transform your garden with mulching and Review of Felbrigg Walled Garden Norfolk.

Information about about visiting Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk

The Heart and Soul of Our Gardens

As you know I love a garden.  Taking time out to visit a garden that has been professionally kept and maintained is one of my life’s great joys.  Not just to be inspired and to admire the techniques and methods of the professional craftsman looking after these gardens – the gardeners, but also to learn about the garden’s stories and history of the garden from the collaboration of the owners, the designer and the gardeners.  Gardens are multi-complex – they bring joy and wellbeing and can provide food and beauty.

Our gardens serve multiple purposes. They are not only aesthetically pleasing retreats, but also functional spaces that foster sustainability, encourage wildlife, and sometimes even provide sustenance. They have become a canvas for expression, where gardeners apply their creativity to combine form with function, often in the face of spatial or financial constraints. The focus on sustainability and eco-consciousness has led to inventive uses of recycled materials, from repurposed planters to creative water conservation solutions.

But these gardens often are woven with family history and mementos, be it painted pebbles from grandchildren, plants given on Mother’s Day, or Sunflower plants planted by children as a school project, they are places of wellbeing, joy and beauty.

BBC Gardeners World is a weekly staple and for me, one of many positives that I like to think that came out of COVID-19 was the new segment of visiting “real” people’s gardens. They are not perfectly manicured or designed. But, they are perfect in the way that they give comfort, feed families and provide space, the bringing together of families, and joy, from the beauty of the plants planted, memories honoured and happiness to families and communities.  I love the realism, the recycled use of items, the joy and pride at plants and flowers grown and the happiness on the faces of the gardeners of their patch.  And so to this end, I am taking time out this year to visit “real” gardens and what they mean to people, how they bring joy, pride and wellbeing.  I love the honesty of them and the stories they tell.  This is the reason I love gardens.

Gardens are the mirror of our souls, unveiling the essence of our being through the choice of every flower, shrub, and stone. They are deeply personal spaces that articulate our relationship with the environment, our aesthetic preferences, and even our approach to life. A meticulously organised garden, with its geometrically arranged flower beds and neatly clipped hedges, might reveal a person’s love for order and symmetry. Conversely, a wild, nature-friendly garden bursting with indigenous plants and buzzing with wildlife suggests a gardener with a passion for biodiversity and a penchant for ecological sustainability.

The diversity seen in UK gardens reflects the rich tapestry of cultures, histories, and individual stories that make up the fabric of our society. Gardens become the platforms where personal heritage and cultural identities are intertwined with the native flora, creating spaces that are as unique as the individuals who nurture them.

Moreover, the evolution of a garden over time chronicles the journey of the gardener. From the enthusiastic planting of a novice’s first seedling to the confident strokes of a seasoned gardener pruning back overgrown foliage, each action in a garden maps the growth, learning, and experiences of its caretaker. It’s a living diary, open to the skies, that captures moments of joy, sorrow, and contemplation.

In crafting our gardens, we engage in dialogue with nature, learning its rhythms and respecting its limits. This ongoing interaction fosters a sense of stewardship for our planet, urging us to think beyond the boundaries of our own garden. Thus, our gardens do more than just showcase our identity; they embody our hopes for a more sustainable and interconnected world, where nature and humanity flourish side by side.

National Garden Scheme

Gardening enthusiasts in the UK are in for an extraordinary treat as they can witness an impressive array of home gardens across the country, thanks to the National Garden Scheme. The scheme was launched in 1927 & is now boasting over 3,500 gardeners who participate in the event.

The gardens are open to everybody, from beginner gardeners who seek to learn & establish ideas, to well-seasoned cultivators who wish to exchange tips & share knowledge. The gardens in the scheme are often the product of many years of nurturing, detailed care & attention that have created a diverse range of landscapes for visitors to enjoy.

You can be assured of a unique experience at every garden as each garden provides a unique setting & experience. At one garden, you may behold an exotic collection of trees, while another may offer a beautifully tended herbaceous border or a sculptured landscape garden. The participants are always ready to provide insight into the history, layout & design of the garden, making for an interactive & educational experience.

Enjoy the beauty of gardens, but also a chance contribute to charity. Every year, the proceeds from the garden visits are donated to support vital nursing & health sectors like Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, The Queen’s Nursing Institute, & more.

The scheme also invites avid gardeners to open their gardens to the public & showcase their hard work & passion while sharing their expertise & ideas with like-minded enthusiasts. This way, the scheme has been successful in creating a community of people who share a love of gardening, exchange ideas & provide support to one another.

The NGS is an exciting & creative way to appreciate the art of gardening, while also contributing to charitable causes. It promotes a love for nature & shows the potential of gardening in enriching our lives in various ways. The scheme allows for interaction, sharing of knowledge, ideas & tips & provides an opportunity to learn at every step, from gardeners of all levels of experience. So, to those who haven’t yet, do visit one of these magnificent gardens this summer & experience the joy of nature while helping to make the world a better place.