I am almost at the end of my eighth year of being a self-employed gardener, only one garden to get to, then my Christmas break can begin. My gardening muscles are definitely in need of a holiday, I am looking forward to putting away my loppers and secateurs for a week or two.
Without a doubt, it has been an incredible working year , new gardens, gardens moving forward , borders becoming bigger and better in their content , colour and effect . I have enjoyed it all immensely. I am so glad that I have chosen the profession of horticulture. Personally I cannot think of anything I would rather be doing.
Dare I even think it, let alone utter it, but here goes – I am actually waiting for a good frost here in Shropshire. One of the reasons I chose to be a gardener, was because I love being surrounded on a daily basis by the seasons and the variations they throw at us. I have missed the opportunity to take frosty garden images – no doubt my time will come, and I will be contemplating frost toes, and the desire for a full-time indoor job within the next month. So whilst we really have had no frost I continue to take countless images . This particular garden has such a bulk of herbaceous planting, and it made me stand and stare on Wednesday, almost to the same extent as when this garden is in its full summer beauty. I would go as far to say that this garden is looking magnificent in all its browness. I am not cutting it back.
Thankfully all my 2,500 bulbs are planted – well those bought for my customers anyway. I buy the majority from Parkers – I think the quality is really good, and extremely well priced.
I love this bulb bag. It just made me think that the bulbs had been counted out by a happy gardener
At the is time of year I make door garlands. This year my theme is chillies and wire flowers. This one is for my friend Suree Coates a phenomenal South Asian Curry Chef .
Heres another one I made earlier .
Aside from all things horticultural we had a bit of a Christmas party with all our neighbours on Saturday. We had so much fun and all that was left was this sparkly Olive.
My lemon pudding – double cream, and carnation milk went down a storm.
Sally Wicks 