My gardening Diary

MONDAY There’s constant traffic between the shed, greenhouse and tunnel as seedlings are po ed up and moved on to their next stage. Many are annuals, purple zinnias, larkspur and a whole range of tall, single tagetes including ‘Tall Scotch Prize’ with yellow and mahogany striped petals. TUESDAY Anthriscus ‘Ravenswing’ has seeded prolifically into the raised beds at the foot of the garden. It’s out of scale there so it’s being removed, soil topped up and replaced by a pre y but more restrained umbel, Pimpinella major ‘Rosea’.

WEDNESDAY Filming at RHS Malvern Spring Festival. It’s always a great show. Everyone has the gardening bug and the whole place is packed with exciting plants and informative people. It’s going to be bigger and be er than ever, all set against the background of the Malvern Hills.

THURSDAY Filming again and hopefully finding a few spare minutes to buy some plants. Looking out for some special camassias, among other things.

FRIDAY On stage for the next three days at Malvern and living in hope that Neil will do all the things that I would’ve tried to do had I been there! Watering is always top of the list, especially for the new plants we’ve been making this year, many of which are destined for Alice’s wedding.

SATURDAY Neil recently constructed two additional compost heaps in the field alongside our leaf mould bays. I hope he’ll be starting them off with ne les and cut grass that have just been strimmed together with some really dark dung that Winston, our farmer neighbour, delivered.

SUNDAY First thing before the show there’s a treat in store when I’ll get a chance to look round my friend Veronica’s garden. I’ve known her garden almost as long as mine. Hers is packed with very special trees and it will be a pleasure to renew my acquaintance with them.