We had internet access for a whole day before we lost all power in today’s high winds. Oh, the joy of rural living and overhead electricity cables. Still, here I am, finally connected and ready to post some pics for you.

Before I do, can I just say this. If you are one of the groups booked to visit the garden this year, or if you are planning to come on the first NGS day (28th April), don’t worry! These are the ‘before’ photos. By hook, crook and sheer bloodymindedness, the gardens will be ready. Somehow. The nursery opens on the 17th March, but I can’t be here on the 18th – just so you know. We are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

I went to a seminar at Tatton Park last week re Cheshire’s Year of the Garden 2008. Sit down, ladies, the keynote speaker was Chris Beardshaw. As part of his presentation, he characterised the difference between garden centres and nurseries roughly as ‘garden centres have tarmac car parks that don’t require a 4×4 to get out of and you have to pick out the weeds in the pots in nurseries to find the plant you’re buying’. This was, of course, meant affectionately, but I sat there thinking how true it was…. I don’t want to be a garden centre, but I think we can improve things a little. Well, here it is:

Part of the nursery before I started weeding. Only about 10,000 plants to sort out before opening day.

A section of the all-important stock beds. Somewhere in there are the nursery’s crown jewels.


The garden has been left to its own devices since last August. There is one heck of a job to do in 7 weeks.

But the birds love the unkempt seed heads. Small flocks of greenfinches and long-tailed tits sweep through the garden most days.

Progress – some of the weeded, labelled pots. Yes, a plant list is in progress thanks to Hazel, my eldest, and also my assistant from GOTY if you saw it.

The tea room being re-felted. A full refit follows…


Chris Beardshaw, should you happen to see this, may I proudly point out the car park (the flattish grass area to the right of the track…)

March 4, 2007