Homes and gardens Gardens & gardening this winter
This time of year the weather can be dank, dreary and depressing: on the other hand, we can have blue skies and wonderful winter sunshine to warm body and mind.
Of course, no matter what the weather, a gardener’s work is never done – but it’s a good idea to take the occasional break to enjoy other people’s gardens.
Hadlow College’s
Broadview Gardens – almost 10 acres of them – are open 360 days of the year free of charge. During February and March the college operates a series of tours that are usually led by head gardener Alex Rennie.
The college’s national
collection of hellebores features in the tours and, such is the cult following, some people return year after year. But there is a great deal more to find in Broadview during the winter months.
most frequently asked questions relates to how Alex and his team manage to maintain them in such good order despite being used by hundreds of visitors.
The gardens contain thousands and thousands of bulbs and early varieties will be in full bloom. The large bed of cornus – yellow, crimson and orange – is at its dramatic best with the sun shining, but cheers even the dullest days. The snowdrops are stunning – especially where they mingle with hellebores. The iris reticulata grows in wooded areas – and winter aconites positively glow.
Visitors to Broadview are
always surprised by the condition of the many grass paths. Indeed, one of the
The answer is continual maintenance, tender loving care, twice-a-year dressing with sand to improve drainage – and the fact that ryegrasses are much more capable of withstanding heavy footfall than the much finer lawn grasses.
Visitors are also fascinated
by the excellent condition of the hedges, which are said to total a mile in length. Primarily hornbeam and yew, they benefit from being given an annual feed – a small but important task that recreational gardeners often overlook.
Several hundred pea sticks are used in Broadview
annually and buying them in would obviously be very costly. A seasonal task undertaken about now, coppicing of the hazels produces sufficient numbers of pea sticks to last a year whilst also affording students the opportunity to acquire the skills involved. Visitors accompanying Alex – or one of the other gardeners – on a tour have the chance to ask questions about coppicing and other specialist tasks, and also glean more general gardening information. This is an opportunity not to be missed.
Some National Trust
gardens are also open this winter, but it is important to check individual properties before setting out on a visit. On the subject of acquiring knowledge, in addition to degrees and other career-
related programmes, Hadlow offers a range of RHS and other courses suitable for recreational gardeners. Learning alongside other gardening enthusiasts is inspirational, challenging and fun. For information and advice, call 0500 551434.
When or if we get a heavy
fall of “the white stuff”, gently dislodge snow to prevent vulnerable branches on trees breaking off or splitting. And because we often get strong and gusting winds at this time of year, make certain everything outside is secure and safe – check stakes and ties, trellis, fencing, water pipes, guttering, etc. Ten minutes spent on prevention is infinitely better than hours spent on cure.
Editorial by Pat Crawford for Hadlow College
The “Winter Colour” tours will take place at 11am and 2pm on February 15, 21, 22 and 28 and March 1. Tickets are £3 each. Call 01732 853211.
Mid Kent Living 33
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