Reflections on 2018 in the garden

I WILL look back at this gardening year and remember the extremes of the weather, writes TOM ATTWOOD. The intensely cold, prolonged start to the year which tested the resilience of both plants and gardeners alike. I did doubt that many of the tender plants I attempt every year to cajole through the winter would make it. Some took a hit but managed to limp their way through to the spring although my beloved Ensete collection (dramatic, red leaved cousins of the hardy ornamental banana) were annihilated with the exception of a single younger plant. The need to be philosophical about success or failure in gardening is something I learnt from a young age. The fact that so many plants did survive was something of a minor miracle, considering the limitations I have to protect and heat the charming (but somewhat crumbly nature) of the greenhouses we have on site.

When spring arrived, from our perspective here in the South Lakes it seemed to move at a faster pace than normal and condensed into a narrower window of time. It was amazing that in the same week you could enjoy a broad range of Daffodils and Tulips flowering alongside one another to be framed by the branches of ornamental cherries and crab apples groaning under the weight of their blossom. This isn’t unheard of but the synchronistic nature of this year’s display was something I’d not seen before.

Spring soon grew into early summer with an intense period of dry weather that was for many of us in Cumbria unprecedented. It was challenging (to put it mildly) at times but fascinating as well. Observing how some plants coped in our own garden where in places the poor soil depth tests them at the best of times. Plants collapsed whilst others either bounced back straight away or barely showed any signs of water stress. I will never cease to be in awe of their sheer resilience at times.

Let’s see how 2019 fares and I hope you have the most exciting of growing seasons ahead of you.

Next week: pruning apple and pear trees

Jobs

Take time out to walk around the garden armed with a pen and paper and note down areas you might want to develop

Keep bird feeders topped up with fresh supplies at a time of year when they really benefit from extra energy

Collect the seed heads of ornamental grasses and put some of the seed in envelopes to sow in the spring

Keep turning compost heaps as despite the cold weather the act of turning them will get lots of air to the microorganisms.