GARDENING
A good start to the year
S
un and rain, in equal amounts:
a great combination to get the
growing season off to a flying start.
If the crops grow as well as the grass is at
the moment then we should be in for a
good harvest later in the year.
The lush greens of new foliage are
all around us after their reluctance to
emerge during the cool start to the year.
Some trees and shrubs seem to change
overnight once their leaves unfurl from
their buds. Many trees have been in
blossom and our chestnut avenue is
a great example of this with its trees’
upright stands of white and pink flowers.
The Quarr bees are making the most of
this opportunity and are out and about
scouting for new forage. The swarm
season is in full swing and us apiarists
(beekeepers) are on alert for any news
of a colony on the move. If you should
spot a swarm on the Island, look up
the contact details on the Isle of Wight
Beekeepers Association (IWBKA) website.
The warmer soil temperatures and
longer daylight hours at this time of year
mean that many of the various crops we
have sown or planted for sale in our farm
shop and used in the abbey kitchen are
nearing or are already bearing produce.
The asparagus and rhubarb have been
yielding fo r a while now.
Although it is tempting to allow
produce such as beans, carrots,
cucumbers and courgettes to grow that
little bit bigger, we find that it is usually
better to crop more often and when they
are smaller. This way we end up with
a succulent and more tender harvest.
This is obviously with the exception of
marrows and pumpkins! We continue to
crop ‘cut and come again’ salads, herbs
and leaves such as spinach to encourage
new growth.
In the beds and borders it’s been time
to prune our spring flowering shrubs that
Matt Noyce is head
gardener at Quarr
Abbey, and is
responsible for the
200 acres of gardens,
pastureland,
vegetable plots and
private woodland on
the estate.
have finished their show and continuing
to deadhead flowering plants to prolong
their display. Also it’s worth taking time to
stake and support taller perennials that
are still gaining height and responsibly
water any new plantings, hedges and
seeded areas of lawn during dry spells.
Here’s to a wonderful summer!
Pictures by Matt Noyce
www.visitilife.com
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