Beneath the Surface - Norton Conyers, 26th February 2018

Beneath the Surface - Norton Conyers, 26th February 2018 

Rhubarb (Rheum) Roots

As I write, the snow is falling - and lots of it too. The inclement forecast this week has thrown most of the country into a frenzy, with temperatures in some areas expected to reach -9. The ‘Beast of the East’, as it is now known is causing quite a stir. We don’t seem to deal with bad weather well in this country. But the gardener has to be made of sterner stuff - there is no getting away from the weather in our profession!

So, it was on a bitter February Monday that my third gardening instalment began…

With a few extra layers today and hat and scarf, I met Giles in the courtyard; Plum bounced out - no sign of Shandy today though. She was off colour after a hard-day’s hunting the previous day, so was left at home to recuperate - just as well in this weather! Plum was ‘top dog’ for the day, and sported Shandy’s Christmas jumper to prove it. She wasn’t so sure about it though - nipping at the fabric, and enjoying a good roll on mossy ground.

Back to the fruit garden this morning. Blueberries (Vaccinium) grow in acidic soil. The pH of Norton Conyers’ soil is around 6.5 so Giles brought bags of mulch from his local woods to increase the acidity. This was worked into the earth, and then a layer laid on top. This year, we’re also experimenting with Lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-ideae), but being an expensive plant, and notoriously difficult to grow Giles is giving a couple of these a trial run this year to see if they establish themselves. If they do, it may be a couple of years before they bear fruit; we will wait and  see! 

Next, we returned to finish off the border preparations. Relocating, splitting and removing plants, before adding compost. A final layer of compost was then scattered over the entire border. Two loads from  Giles’ dumper were required for this task alone! Plum stayed close to Giles for most of the day; she seemed a little lost without Shandy, and alarmingly close to the moving dumper at times, but Giles kept a careful, knowing eye on his dog. It is clear that Plum is learning her boundaries within the garden. It won’t be long until the tacit relationship that exists between Shandy and Giles is shared with little Plum.

As we went about this work, Lady Helina appeared, well wrapped up. She expressed her admiration that we were working in such cold conditions - and cheerfully so too: ’I don’t know how you do it!’. But by this time I felt almost comfortable enough to take off my hat and jacket; it quickly became apparent that I would rarely feel too cold as a gardener, and that most weather conditions can be overcome with the right clothing! 

Lady Helina showed us a photograph taken in the Orangery, that displayed a small electric blue shape. There is no apparent explanation for it; Lady Helina was told that it could be ‘an earth spirit’. I’m not superstitious myself, but agree with Lady Helina’s assertion that the garden has a very spiritual feel to it. There is a certain air of mystery that is difficult to quantify or pin down. The ancient, yet pristine beautifully trimmed Yew hedges (Taxus Baccata) hold a unique link to past ages. I wonder what secrets they could reveal about the garden?

A welcome tea break arrived as I began to feel a little discomfort in my back. Into the Orangery bounded Plum with a freshly-hunted squirrel, which she proceeded to crunch and tear eagerly - this proved a (fairly grim) distraction from our tea. It was at this point that I met a new volunteer, Alan, who had joined the team today; he was at work patching up the driveway.  

Jerusalem Artichoke Tubers (Helianthus tuberosus)

Next, Rebecca and I tackled a Rhubarb (Rheum) border in front of the wheelbarrow shed. Older plants were taken out - being at the end of their lifecycle, along with seeded rhubarb plants and weeds. Newer plants were relocated too. I was struck by the colour (stripes of yellow and orange), texture (soft, spongy wood) and sheer volume of the rhubarb roots.

Then back to the vegetable borders for the  final task of the day. The Jerusalem Artichokes (Helianthus tuberosus) were to be dug up in preparation for turfing over the area later in the year. The relatively small area belied the scale of the task. The plants are incredibly prolific; hundreds of tubers were dug up, with larger ones being kept for eating - they make a fine soup - or replanting, and smaller ones being discarded.

And so the tools were returned to the apple store, another full day’s work over.

Today, I found great fascination in finding what lies beneath the surface; it could be said that there is another garden to be discovered under the soil.

Bordering at Norton Conyers, 22nd February 2018

Bordering at Norton Conyers, 22nd February 2018

The weather forecast has rarely been a matter of concern for me. Being British it’s an expected topic of conversation, but today I had reason to check the forecast. Cloudy but DRY! After Monday’s damp gardening initiation, I looked forward to more pleasant working conditions. 

It proved to be a chilly and slightly misty start; this atmosphere beautifully complements the historic setting and intrigue of Norton Conyers. The environment is beautiful in itself, but the mist gives an additional veiled layer which seems to resonate through the ages; I felt a connection with Charlotte Bronte and understood how she would have taken inspiration from this place in her writing - not just in Jane Eyre . 

The equipment required today - wheelbarrows, buckets, spades, forks. The three wheelbarrows available were of different ages and materials, and each with its own character. Although battered and rusty, with a few holes the eldest of the wheelbarrows remained sturdy and reliable - like an old friend. But all three would be well used today.

One of the two main borders was to be tackled today. I was struck immediately, not only by Giles’ plant knowledge, but his ability to recognise a species from its root or surface growth. He uses the Latin names too! It became apparent that there was a lot for me to learn here.

Plum, Giles' Dog

I realised at this point that I had not seen Sandy and Plum since I parked my car. Giles said he’d seen them attempting to manage the rat population! Sure enough, distant barking would be heard for much of the morning.

Whiteroot (Gouania lupuloides) and Bindweed (Convolvulus) were the main enemies today. A pile was created for any roots or plantmatter of these species to ensure segregation and appropriate  disposal.

Gate to the Woodlands

Managing this border required the removal - not only of weeds - but of healthy plants too. Acanthus and Thermopsis were among the many species that required cutting back - or removal altogether - to stop them ‘taking over’ or overwhelming the border. 

Working close to the earth is a sensual experience - picking up on the subtle scents of roots, wood and the freshness of the earth. 

The day involved regular trips to the woods to dispose of barrow-loads of organic material. It is striking to witness the resourcefulness of the gardener - almost all waste has a good use: hazel twigs for plant supports; woody roots and weeds placed in rabbit holes; woody stems creating habitats for insects; other organic matter being recycled in the garden via the compost heap. Indeed, huge quantities of compost were reinvested into the garden today, with Giles’ dumper twice replenishing our stocks.

Another heavy, yet satisfying day drew to an end; sunshine brought a taste of the coming spring. We had enjoyed perfect gardening conditions - cool, crisp and dry - not too bright. It was striking to see how turning over the earth had breathed fresh life into the borders. I will watch its development over the coming months with growing interest.

Snowdrops (Galanthus) in the Woodland Outside the Walled Gardens

First Day at Norton Conyers, 19th February 2018

First Day at Norton Conyers, 19th February 2018

As I set out on a damp February morning to Norton Conyers, I entered the world of gardening as a novice. Togged up and booted - with new secateurs and gardening gloves, I met Head Gardener, Giles Gilbey in the car park and strode through to the walled gardens followed by Shandy and Plum - his ‘perennial’ companions!

Of the jobs I expected to be doing today, I didn’t envisage helping to push a car to be one of them; it proved to be my very first task. A gentleman who had been looking after the Graham’s house the previous night - the Graham’s were away in London - had his car stuck in the mud on a slope outside the garden walls. Giles and I pushed as the Volvo struggled up the muddy slope. Then further help arrived in the form of two ladies who I would later know as colleagues, Alison and Beth. A ‘physical’ start, I thought - little did I know the scale of the exertion today’s work would consist of!

Heading over to the Orangery, we were all intrigued as to what Giles’ plan for the day  would involve. We might have been digging trenches for planting - but this wasn’t advisable because of the wetness of the soil. Instead, another kind of trench was to be dug - 50 metres worth in fact - to install a tap near the vegetable garden. Giles explained that this would save valuable time wasted in carrying water. So, belongings deposited, the proper day’s gardening began in earnest; tools were gathered and preparations made, and the digging began. 

Cold and wet it may have been, but a sweat was soon built up. Layers of history revealed themselves as the work progressed- the gravelly layer gave way to sandy earth; clay; the cobbles of a footpath of days gone by. Many hands make light work they say - well this certainly wasn’t light work, but I was quite amazed at the progress that was made by just the five of us. By 10.30, only the final 10 feet needed digging. 10.30 also indicated break time - and I was ready for it.  

A good cup of Yorkshire Tea and some much needed sustenance  later, we were back to it with renewed energy, and the trench was soon finished off. Giles had headed to Ripon for the piping. On his return, and with the ‘assistance’ of Plum, the pipe was connected to the well, and with some gentle manoeuvring, it was laid. Guttering was laid over the pipe in the flowerbed to protect it against a stray spade. The earth was returned to the trench, and turf laid back in its place; a job well done.  

Over lunch, resident artist David Stead joined us with his MacBook and we were shown images of the garden in full bloom. David and Giles spoke about historical finds in the stables - old tools and a group of diaries found detailing the work done in the gardens - dating from the 1920s. It’s fascinating to think that layers of history are still being uncovered here - much like the earth in the trenches.

As the ladies went to prune the fruit bushes, Giles and I headed to the apple store to gather our tools; we were to install huge wooden poles to support the new raspberry plants. If I was hoping for an easier afternoon, this was soon to be denied! Giles and I used a Garden Line to ensure the poles were put in the right place, and then a metal pole to start off the hole in which the pole would be inserted. 

We used a Fencing Thumper - a very heavy piece of equipment to be raised over the pole and dropped down, ‘thumping’ the pole into the earth. With 14 poles to insert, this was to be a considerable task.

During this work, Giles explained the sheer variety of plants in the gardens; in the fruit gardens alone were many varieties I had not yet encountered  - Lingon berries, Logan berries and White berries.

Almost at the moment the last of the poles were placed, Sir James Graham appeared, and greeted me instantly by my first name. We shook hands, and I jokingly apologised for mine being yellow - the colour from my leather gardening gloves had rubbed off. We spoke briefly about today’s work and my previous career. I passed comment that I would be aching in the morning! I expressed my admiration for his work and the restoration of his house.

Clearing up was the final task of the day - the surprising quantity of cuttings from the bushes needed gathering and relocating. Giles explained that they rarely burned organic matter unless it was diseased, and that the cuttings would decay naturally in the woods, also encouraging insect habitation. On exiting the walled gardens for this purpose, we came to an area littered with Snowdrops. It was in this area that ‘stacks’ of cuttings were made, and left to naturally decay.

After this was done, Lady Halina arrived and greeted me in the gardens. Her passion for the gardens and outdoors shone through, as did her zest for life and good humour. We spoke about her trip to London, and use of the ‘Boris Bikes’ on her visit; also about delayed train services! 

I left the gardens - ready to clean up and rest, but already looking forward already to Thursday, where a new challenge would await. The achievements of the day stayed with me - a sense of real satisfaction at a day’s hard graft, and tangible, meaningful progress - the fruits of our labour would be permanent and lasting.