March Head Gardener’s Notes
20 March 2023
Liz Pope is back with her Head Gardener’s Notes! Liz will be keeping us updated on the goings on in the museum’s dye garden, which is lovingly maintained by volunteers year-round. Got a question for Liz? Ask her in the comments below.
This is an optimistic time of year…
Perhaps the weather won’t be too hot, cold, wet, dry or windy this year?
Perhaps there won’t be too many pests?
Perhaps the plants will flourish and give us beautiful dyes?
Perhaps we will see wonderful wildlife?
Perhaps we will get all the projects we dream about done?
Those first few days after winter, when you can work outside again, lifts the spirit. I love getting my hands into the soil. I should wear gloves because it’s tough on my skin and nails, but before long the gloves are off and my hands are in the soil. I feel a calmness descend on me.
We have jobs to prepare for the coming year. This year we have to replace the mini fences we use to divide the sections in the deep bed. In the soil, below the fences, are recycled plastic root barriers to keep the more invasive plants in their section.
We remove weed seedlings as they emerge, then we top-dress the beds with compost, as we follow the “no dig” gardening method.
The daffodils are emerging and blossoming.
Also in flower is the heather.
This year we aim to produce a bank of heathers.
The small lawn is rich in snowdrops. Snowdrops are not a dye plant, but we can’t resist their beauty, so they are allowed to spread naturally.
This snail is so beautiful.
We have been planning the seeds we need to grow, and preparing our greenhouses.
We are looking forward to the year ahead!
Hi Liz, love the blog! I’d like to use the no-dig method in my garden – any tips for getting started?
Thanks
Abby