An Apple a Day? - Norton Conyers, 19th March 2018

2018's raspberry supports next to 1995's (left)

Today was a glorious - if brisk start; more snow had fallen at the weekend - the remnants of which still showed themselves in light patches across the garden. My first day in the gardens involved installing huge wooden poles as supports for the new raspberry plants; indeed, Giles later said that one of his first tasks as Head Gardener had been to install raspberry supports in 1995. These poles still stood solid - 23 years later. I looked forward to making my contribution. Today we were to finish the job we started in February using metal wire. The tools - a huge metal hammer, a drill with a huge drill bit and fencing pliers.

We assembled next to the apple trees. Plum was lively this morning. She jumped and barked, taking particular exception to Beth's hands. Giles and I completed the first job - hammering in smaller posts at 45 degree angles to the end posts. The hammer went above my waist when stood on end - it was a big, heavy beast. Giles held the pole and I hammered; my finger promptly got in the way. I concealed my pain - at least until it doubled in size! It's still a little tender as I write this. "I won't do that again." I thought. Well I wouldn't - at least not today. Soon, the supporting poles were all installed. Alyson and Bex marked out the location of the wire with a garden line, and then drilled the holes.

Meanwhile, Beth and I headed to the vegetable garden; an order had been placed by Sir James. There are thin pickings at this time of year, but there was still some wonderful fresh Kale, Leeks and Celeriac. We took them to the Orangery, where they were washed in a bucket of water and trimmed.

Some earlier crops remained in the apple store - we filled up the vegetable box further with potatoes, beetroot and apples.

The view from the top of the Apple Store ladder

A vegetable box for Sir James and Lady Halina

Having filled the box of vegetables, Beth and I returned to the Berry plot. The holes had been drilled and the tensioners installed. Bex and I headed to the Dumper store to retrieve a couple of reels of metal wire; we returned and teamed up to feed it through the poles. The reels had been used before, and were fitted with hundreds of bits of string. My new multi-purpose tool came in use as I used the scissors to remove it. Feeding the wire through the poles was a snug fit. Half way through this task, I discovered that one of the reels of wire was tangled - it took much effort to unravel, and Giles and I were occupied for 10 minutes for this purpose alone. Following installation of the wire, we realised one of the tensioners wouldn't fit properly next to the angled poles when it was tightened. I suggested drilling into the pole to allow further room. Giles did this, and the result was satisfactory. The supports were installed. Following this, Beth and I tied up the raspberry plants with garden twine.

Shandy and Plum accompanied us to our next task of the day. We would cut back the huge, established apple trees. Giles explained that they were towards the end of their lifespan, but would probably last at least another 20 years. Water shoots - or sprouts - were out biggest enemy today; they form when an Apple tree is cut back. In order to discourage this, the shoots had to be cut right back to their base. And there were hundreds of them. We made a start, but it wasn't long before lunchtime.

In the Orangery; a 'Celebrations' box lay on the table. As I sat down, Bex passed the box over to me, along with an envelope. I was intrigued, but couldn't work out what this was about. A birthday cake - baked by the lovely - and multi-talented Bex. Raspberry and honey - it was beautiful, moist and really delicious. And a birthday card too, adorned with a smiling sheep - in reference to last week's adventures. This was signed by all the gardeners too - even Plum and Shandy!!

Given the fact that these apple trees are older trees, it is even more important to cut back weaker branches and shoots to promote better growth and fruits in stronger parts of the tree.

There were four trees to tackle. This took all of us nearly four hours to complete. Tonnes of branches were removed, improving both the aesthetics and the health of the trees. It was an even bigger effort to relocate the waste wood; thinner branches were taken to the woods for habitat piles, whilst the bigger ones were placed in wheelbarrows for firewood. I loaded my car up with them for my woodburning stove! Giles said they would take about a year to be suitable for burning; they are currently airing in my shed. Unfortunately much of the wood had succumbed to rot - the centres were filled with dusty rotten wood and loaded with woodlice. Giles explained this wasn't unusual for trees of this age; despite this they would most likely live reasonably healthily for another 20, 30 or 40 years.

Sawdusty Shandy

View over the Berry Plot

I spent the last hour of work clearing up stray branches; this was satisfying - if slightly exhausting work. But the results were there for all to see - this side of the garden looked neater, healthier and lighter.

Clearing Up - Norton Conyers, 15th March 2018

Another damp day; Spring wasn’t here yet. But the gardener is well prepared - waterproofs and boots were adorned today. We looked a colourful bunch as we left the Orangery this morning and headed to the Dumper shed. And to be honest it was a bit of a dump! It had been left relatively unused at the end of last season, so there was reason for the mess. There's no problem things being left a little untidy, as there are always keener priorities to attend to. So, bearing in mind the poor weather, this was the perfect day for such a job. 

It was a job that required thought as to where to start. There was much to tackle, but with a team of five, progress was soon seen. Giles and I moved wood and logs; the ladies started moving tree protectors to an adjoining building; Plum found a dead pigeon.

There were many tree protectors - maybe a hundred. As I joined the efforts to move them, I uncovered a beautiful Peacock butterfly in hibernation. Its colours were a reminder that nature only sleeps - it does not disappear.

The Dumper shed was full of old unused gardening bits and pieces. Giles is a very resourceful man; he won't throw anything away that might come in useful. However, he's not a hoarder either - everything he does is carefully considered and planned. For example, underneath is a barrel - formerly containing Mango Slices (best before 2000!) from Mumbai in India. It's something that's of value to the gardener - however often it might come into use.

As I cleared some wooden poles from a corner and relocated them, I discovered perhaps fifty ladybirds huddling together - like the butterfly, they had found the perfect, protected spot to spend the winter months. And we had found the perfect spot to spend a rainy day - the work was fulfilling and everyone was in a jovial mood; as we'd entered the Dumper Shed, Giles asked me to switch the light on. There wasn't a light. I'm getting used to this gentle ribbing.

As the ladies finished their clearing work, I stayed and swept the straw covered floor. After Plum found the pigeon, I wondered what else might be discovered amongst this mass of dried grass. I was reminded of an old episode of Midsomer Murders where the victim is stabbed by a pitchfork and covered up in the straw. Thankfully there would be no such discoveries today..

 Following our break, we headed to the stables. Having burned the majority of the rubbish the previous week, the cleanup job now began in earnest. Sweeping the walls and windows of cobwebs; old plaster and paint dust from shelves and window bottoms; the floor from oily dirt. This was a considerable undertaking. The stables had been left in a time-warp - used only as a joiners yard in recent days. It had been built in the 1700s and must have fallen out of use as a stables some 70 or 80 years previously.

I know this because there were old packets on the floor - an old decaying Osram bulb jacket; metal springs; an old car headlamp cover; small wooden signs; a woodwormed groomer's brush. The bench was still solid enough to stand on to do my work, but had seen considerable wear and tear over the years. Built to last. Having lifted it, I uncovered a small plank of wood. It was attached to the stone floor with tar. I lifted it - the perfect shiny black uncovered the still fresh scent of pitch.

Our indoor clearing work was over. We retired to lunch.

As we returned, Giles began cutting back the trees which hung over the road leading up to the stables. Luminous lichen layered long limbs. We dragged the branches over the front of the house; I felt the strain, as an Ox would bearing its Yoke.

Giles, Alyson and I then left the borders of the walls and began cutting back the branches overhanging the Wath road. The Norton Conyers estate covers an area of 1500 acres - another substantial job!

Giles used his extended saw on the branches; Alyson and I hauled the wood over the wall for Beth and Bex to drag to habitat piles. The trees were packed together to begin with; they soon spread out, and there was too much work for three people.

Giles handed me a luminous green jacket, and asked me to look out for traffic; he walked round the other side of the wall and began cutting back from the house side. Lorries and vans seldom made an appearance, but safety was paramount for all concerned.

We completed this work, and next it was back to clear up. However, I got a little sidetracked. The litter by the side of the road was shocking. It upset me that people would dispose of things in this manner. I later spoke to Lady Graham - she told me about how she had challenged a lady who had dropped a takeaway box on the London Underground "I think you've dropped something" she said. The reply verged on abuse - almost physical "I'm providing someone with a job!!". 

I picked up the vast quantities of litter: crisp packets; pair of shoes; glass bottles; a fire extinguisher(!). Lady Graham said that when Sir James and she passed by on their bicycles, they would pick up rubbish - they had only done this the other day. I am coming to realise that the Grahams and I share similar values.

It was a satisfying job I suppose, but one I hoped that I wouldn't have to repeat any time soon!

A satisfying day of clearing had ended - the estate had had a 'Spring Clean' and was sprucing up for its Easter visitors.