Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
20th April 2024
Time to Get Growing
Polite Warning: Things in the garden are starting to move! With the little bit of sunshine and warmth we have had recently, gardens have finally stretched, yawned and ‘got growing’. And in my experience, as they have some catching up to do, they will be growing with enthusiasm and vigour.
The ground is still very soggy in places, so do be careful when working in beds and borders not to compact the soil too much – and when mowing, stay out of the boggy bits until the ground dries up.
People are heading to the garden centres now like bees heading to blossom, and if you are looking for any bespoke wooden items, then pop and say Hello to Nathan, who will be at the Secret Garden at Mamhilad, Pontypool this weekend (20/21st). Or you can give him a call on 07968770454. Nathan is making some wooden crates for a friend’s daughter’s festival-esque wedding and it’s great to find someone that can ‘make something just from a screenshot or sketch’.
It’s a tricky time in the garden with gardener’s everywhere wondering about the possibility of any more damaging frosts. Dad would never plant out any tender veg or bedding plants until the end of May, but I suspect as the seasons alter for a lot of gardeners that will soon become ‘the end of April’. As tempting as it might be, don’t be in too much of a rush as replacing it all can be a costly act of enthusiasm. And don’t think asking someone at the garden centre ‘Are we going to have any more frosts?’ will exonerate you of responsibility either – if they had that prophetic ability they wouldn’t be working in a garden centre, and probably wouldn’t be working at all.
I was thrilled to see that Abergavenny Garden Centre had Tree Spinach available in 9cm pots, as the ‘Glitter Spinach’ has become a firm favourite of mine. The glittery pink underside of the leaves make it a fabulous talking point – and present for most gardeners. And it tastes good too.
Talking of favourites – Monty Don shared his passion for Ammi (visnaga and majus) last week. Commonly known as Bishop’s Weed, I love it too but sadly so do my rabbits and I refuse to grow it just for them. It is a beautiful plant, like a more delicate cow parsley and likes plenty of water – which is useful in the current climate – but Monty didn’t mention that it can be toxic to dogs, cats, and even horses. Like a lot of things in nature, it is a curious plant, as in India it is used as a medicinal herb for the treatment of vitiligo and psoriasis – and the root is chewed to give protection from strong sunlight. The seed can even be used as a popular condiment – but the sap is at best an irritant (wear gloves) and at worse, like many popular garden plants, can prove toxic to pets if ingested. The secret is not to let pets eat plants – it will save you a lot of anxiety.
Bearing that in mind, Ammi has some fabulous attributes including attracting all sorts of pollinators and is beautiful in both fresh and floral displays – and is especially popular for bridal (not bridle) work. Ammi majus is also known as ‘false Queen Anne’s lace’ and often confused with the ‘real’ Queen Anne’s lace (Daucus carota) as they look almost identical and are members of the same family – the carrot family!
As the old saying goes, ‘The bigger the family, the crazier it gets.’
Summer Camp
Fifteen travel writers were recently asked to reveal their favourite places to stay. Favourite destinations included Taprobane Island in Sri Lanka and a cabin in Sweden where researchers found that three days spent in the lake-rich area reduced their stress levels by around 70% and – a summer camp in Wales.
Summer Camp (by The Good Life Society) held in the Walled Garden on the Hawarden Estate is described as, ‘not the most exotic or luxurious destination’ but the weekend-long festival-vibe re-treats are attracting visitors from all over the world.
Offering workshops in everything from blacksmithing to beekeeping, you can also wild swim and paddle board, or just chill out by open fires and relax under brightly coloured awnings enjoying feasts prepared by leading cooks. More details at thegoodlifesociety.co.uk/events/summer-camp-2024
Pet Holidays
And whilst you can take your dog to Summer Camp, it seems that our four-legged friends are enjoying luxury holidays of their own when travelling is restricted. In America, Luxury Dog Hotels are big business, offering personal rooms with king sized beds, spa treatments and even a chauffeur driven collection service. Your ‘best friend’ can enjoy a bedtime reading service and tummy tickling as well as bespoke play areas, on-site pools and ball pits.
Closer to home, just outside of Cardiff, Little Dogs Hotel also offers ‘home-from-home’ care for your ‘best friend’, with the look and feel of a boutique hotel. Each little dog has their own private suite where they are safe, secure, and relaxed at night and days can be spent playing in the outdoor play area or chilling out in the dayroom. They are also surrounded by beautiful country walks, so with your permission your dog can enjoy on-lead walks and trails of St Fagans. More details at www.littledogshotel.com
A good friend bought me a wooden sign that reads, ‘The more people I meet the more I like my dog’ and insists our love of dogs is ‘not because they’re like people but because they’re not like people’.
April is officially Pet Month and it seems that we are treating our pets with more reverence than ever before. Even chickens can have their own ‘peckage holiday’ if you are unable to find someone to look after them at home in your absence. At The Cosy Hen Company, near Usk in Monmouthshire, your chickens will have their own hen-hotel, being let out into their attached runs each morning and securely locked up at dusk. A bespoke area is set aside on the 40 acre site for boarding and your hens will be kept separate from other guest birds and the resident flock. Peter and Glenda Stoneman are experienced poultry keepers are even ‘happy to take in Cockerels (within pairs / trios etc) too – even those bad-tempered ones!’
They also sell chickens and chicken houses (do have a look at their fabulous Potting Coop) and are generous with general chicken-related advice. More hen-formation at www.cosyhens.co.uk
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