Freshwinds Garden Review Part 2

Here is part 2 of my 2017 review.

We are now half way through what has turned out to be 

a very good year.

By July the artichokes were causing a sensation with visitors. Some people knew what they were, others didn`t.

We cleared this area to make a larger sitting space, with a bit more shelter, just outside the polytunnel.

 We had a brilliant weekend in the woodland yurts with lots of family. The weather was great.

The polytunnel reached the mid-forties on the hottest days and I couldn`t complete the watering without several breaks outside for fresh air.

Steve built an inner wire mesh door so it could stay open longer.

Jam making began in earnest.

I was astonished to find out that pinks grew really well in the raised bed. They don`t do well at home, 5 minutes away.

The fairy garden became a mass of blue, 

with lobelia and campanula.

 We had a successful fairy day and the weather was good. The proceeds went to a local charity called Dragonflies, which supports bereaved children and their families.

 The trough looked better with its cut-price geraniums and busy lizzies. I managed to save the lovely geranium plants and they are cosy and safe in my heated greenhouse at home.

We opened the garden for Farm Africa.
Wonderful weather again.

The garden filled up with butterflies when the buddleja and Michaelmus daisies flowered.

 More jam making was happening with 
pounds of damsons and plums.

We trimmed the willow arch and I saved all the useful poles.

 

We began the rendering on the cob shed. Oh my goodness it looked smart, but there is a lot left to do. We want it to dry slowly so that it doesn`t crack.

By September the compost heap had tumbled over to the side and just grew and grew and grew. The garden produced the most incredible amount of waste, most of which can be composted down. But we need a better system.

The straggly willow hedge was woven in.

Colourful harvesting continued. 

Caterpillars were at work on the late nasturtiums.

 

By November the straw flowers were still flowering on sunny days.

 The dahlias came in for the winter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We placed more log seats round the pond.

 

 And finally in December, we had the lovely Carols in the Barn celebration. The proceeds from this went to Farm Africa.

And so yet another year comes to a close.

There is a quiet satisfaction in the coming and going of the seasons.

I notice that between the two parts of this review, there is a marked difference, with the changes that have been made at the garden. I can only put this down to the second half needing quite a lot of time just to control the growth and harvest, let alone change anything.

So with that in mind I look forward to another Freshwinds year and all the pleasures that it brings.....and sometimes, disappointments.

And if all the important changes are made in the first half, I`d better get my skates on.