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Gardening Workshops Helen Lowther’s series of seasonal garden workshops began in March last year, attended by a group of 14 enthusiastic participants. The season was spring and we were all looking forward to acquiring new skills and learning as much as we could, especially in such beautiful surroundings. Meeting like-minded people with varied experience was tremendous fun and the weather was perfect. The lessons included learning about different types of seed and germination. We all had a chance for some hands-on practical work in the Walled Garden, preparing the ground, sowing flower and root vegetable seeds, and planting seed potatoes. We even had a chance to build willow and hazel frames to support growing plants. The summer workshop in July was was just as much fun: we learned how to take softwood and hardwood cuttings and were able to prune the fruit trees as well as deadheading spent flowers and cutting back strawberry plants. The effort put in by all the attendees was astronomical and we all worked together quickly and diligently with a lot of fun and laughter as well – in all, a perfect day in glorious weather. We all looked forward with enthusiasm to our autumn workshop in September when we were shown how to divide various plants for propagation and prepare them for planting in nursery beds, how to collect seeds, and winnowing, something I had never heard of, as well as health and safety in the garden environment. The weather was not as great but we still enjoyed ourselves. On each day we were thoroughly spoilt for food with coffee and biscuits on arrival, delicious homemade cakes at coffee time and the most amazing lunch. Thank you to all involved in the catering and to Helen for running the workshop.
Photo: Helen Lowther |
