Into March at Norton Conyers - 2019

This month began without ceremony. A colourless sky enveloped the cool atmosphere on the morning of the 4th of March. But walking around the gardens, further glimmers of colour were beginning to emerge. The peach trees - with their soft pink and vibrant magenta blossom - were a particular highlight, offering a stark and uplifting contrast to their dull, monotone background.

Peach blossom

But the first task of the month involved no gardening at all for me. The dull skies mirrored the lustreless scrap metal that lay in a heap in the old piggery. Giles and I were to load it into the van to be taken to the scrapyard. Although there was nothing of value amongst the scrap, each piece had a story - a purpose and place on this estate. I considered this as I loaded the van, imagining how each piece would once have been used.

Giles' van was loaded, and it was time for tea. As the van's tyres flattened slightly under the weight of this redundant rust, we all 'guessed the weight' of the metal. Giles promised a 'mystery prize' for the winner - remarking that the last 'mystery prize' he promised remains a mystery to this day...

Guesses ranged from 350 - 600kg. But after Giles and I returned from the scrapyard, it was Sharron who claimed the prize (chocolate buttons) with her on-the-nose estimate of 560kg! 

Plum and Shandy enjoying the ride to the scrapyard

Back to the garden in the afternoon. The 'bigger picture' of our work is always considered by Giles; every minute at work is carefully considered, and there is always great purpose and planning in all that we do. With this in mind, last summer's drought meant that watering of the garden was a daily necessity. The garden well was quickly depleted, and this presented a problem, because many of the garden taps take water directly from the well, rather than the mains supply. 

I helped Giles to connect the mains supply up with the well, ensuring the easy flow of water around the garden all the year round. On my first day working in the gardens in February 2018, a new tap was introduced into the vegetable garden; this year's work builds on this further as a crucial time-saver over the busy summer months, whilst also ensuring the whole garden is able to thrive all the year round.

Connecting the mains supply with the garden well

One of the many highlights of working at Norton Conyers last year was pollarding the White Willow (Saxis alba). Once again, we went about cutting back the fading golden russet branches. It was incredible to consider the sheer extent of the growth of the trees in that time - long, thick and healthy branches had developed since the last annual pruning.

White Willow (Saxis alba) before pollarding

Pollarding willow is a painstaking, yet therapeutic process, requiring much attention to detail and careful consideration; it is important to leave a few branches of medium thickness to 'weave' back along - training the trees into a striking linear shape.

 

After pollarding

In the afternoon - resourceful as ever - Giles tasked Sharron and myself to repair supports in the main border using some of the willow branches.

Giles often says, 'Rome wasn't built in a day!'. There are so many plans for the future development of the garden. But, as with life, priorities change, and plans evolve. I suppose that's the very essence and nature of gardening and land management - there is never really an 'end goal', because there is never a finishing point; instead the gardener builds on last years' successes; learns from the failures and strives for continuous improvements.

With that in mind, the mammoth task of gravelling the garden paths began this month. And a new wheelbarrow was brought in to help! In some areas, a layer of the existing surface was removed and relocated to 'build up' some of the path surfaces.

The tonnes of gravel arrived, and the paths were gradually transformed - backbreaking work; the gravel has added further brightness and refinement to the garden, whilst providing improved conditions underfoot!

With paths nearing completion and the view across the willow border unimpeded once again, the entire garden had a makeover in this month. To top it off? The first grass cut of the year.

With the previous lawnmower showing some wear and tear, Giles brought in a new machine. As I pushed the mower around the walled gardens, I could almost taste the summer in the air - having completed this task on a weekly basis during the height of last year's season. 

And with the autumn and winter grass growth now cut, the garden once again felt refreshed and primed - ready for the beauty and transformation within the year ahead.

A Year at Norton Conyers - February 2019

And so, this month marked a year working at Norton Conyers for me. I feel very privileged to have the chance to work in this glorious, historic estate - helping to build on the work of previous generations.

Having started this blog on my first day working in the gardens on 19th February 2018,  now is a good opportunity to look back and reflect at how the gardens have evolved in that time, and also how differently the garden grows from year to year.

There was little sense of Spring in the air on my first day last year - in fact, it rained for the entire day! And towards the end of February 2018, the infamous 'Beast from the East' hit, bringing much of the country to a standstill.

This year, it seems we had the worst of the winter cold at the end of January. And with temperatures reaching 18C in parts of the country during February, the weather continues to keep all of us on our toes.

And with warmer temperatures bringing trees into bud, and signs of life beginning to emerge from their winter dormancy, there was certainly the sense that 'Spring sprung' in February this year.

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Medlar (Mespilus germanica) in bud

The dumper truck was in full use for the duration of this month. It is a well-used asset to the estate and owes nothing after nearly 60 years of service! I used it to transport tonnes of freshly-cut logs from the woods to be seasoned. It also had the purpose of collecting waste metal from around the estate to be recycled.

Whereas usually habitat piles would be built with waste garden material, the volume produced through cutting back shrubs, ivy and brambles meant some of it would have to be burned. We rarely burn material at Norton Conyers, but sometimes it is a necessity. As plant material was cut back between the boundary of the woodland and the car park, and along the south wall of the gardens, I loaded the dumper truck and transported the material to the old tennis courts, where a bonfire was started.

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Whereas the Snowdrops (Galanthus) had only recently emerged this time last year, their prime had already been enjoyed by the beginning of February 2019. Throughout the month, they would become tired and tinged with brown. But as Snowdrops herald the beginning of Spring, so this meant the gardens would quickly begin to transform with fresh life.

Rhubarb (Rheum) was relocated (and some removed) in bud on 26th February last year; a year to the day, and - in a show of the early onset of Spring - some had already sprouted. 

Rhubarb (Rheum)

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The mist was thick on the morning of the 25th February; after a glorious few weeks of weather, it was a reminder that we were still in February, and winter weather would still make an appearance.

On this morning, I was set the task of digging out the Chrystanthemums within the willow-bordered garden. All withered and in a monotone dull brown, they offered a stark contrast to the varied pastel shades that were enjoyed over the summer. Again - a reminder of the passing of the seasons, and the stark contrasts in colour, texture and light offered in the gardens throughout the year.

Chrysanthemums, Feb 2019

Chrysanthemums, July 2018

Next, it was to the vegetable garden. Bex had strimmed the Manure Grass which had been sown towards the end of 2018. Alan, Bex, Margaret and I turned over the Manure Grass with spades. It is sown as a fast-growing grass, which, when turned back into the earth, breaks down to enrich the earth - it is a natural fertiliser, which also discourages the growth of weeds.

After our morning break, the sun suddenly began to break through the clouds and mist, and the temperature soon began to rise; jackets and jumpers were promptly removed.

And as some of the remaining vegetables were removed from the patch in the afternoon, these milestones in the seasons remind us to look forward to the new growth which will appear over the coming weeks and months.

February ended in glorious sunshine, and as winter dissolves, the cycle of life begins again.

Spring into Summer & NGS - Norton Conyers, 2018

Spring into Summer & NGS - Norton Conyers, 2018

Iris croatica

What has struck me most whilst working at Norton Conyers has been the rapid speed of change. Giles is keen to ensure all work is completed efficiently, and this shows in the garden's maintenance and progress. However, the speed with which nature works is even more surprising. 

It has given me a heightened awareness of the passage of time: the brief yet stunning flowering of the irises; the blossom - falling as quickly as it blooms; the rapid growth of willow. Somehow it has made every moment of my time in the gardens more precious - everything needs to be absorbed and appreciated in the moment, as the beauty shifts fleetingly from species to species.

All of this change is hard to keep up with! As Giles often says, there is always so much we could do!

Pride is taken in all of the work we undertake and the progress we make working two days a week is quite remarkable. I suppose there is a certain charm in the fact that the garden is always a work in progress. Any 'perfect' garden is fleetingly so. However, perfection always exists in some capacity, and can be found in individual species at certain moments in time.

Papaver orientale 'Victoria Louise'

Whilst writing this, I am reminded of a book by Jon McGregor, 'If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things'. Perhaps that is what I hope to achieve with my blog to an extent - bring to life those moments that cannot be repeated or replicated, and that can be so easily missed.

The vegetable garden began to take shape in May, as brassicas, beans, root vegetables, cauliflowers and spinach were planted. The strawberries had been introduced in April as the paths were completed. Much watering was required due to the hot May weather.

Grass

Pressure mounted in mid May to have the gardens ready for the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) Charity opening. But the grass doesn't stop growing for anything! The huge main green in the walled gardens had to be mown in its entirety by the push mower. The bag stayed on to collect cuttings too - this was a time-consuming process, but worth the effort; it was satisfying to see games being played on the pristine lawn on the open day itself.

NGS Open Gardens

The day for the charity opening of the gardens arrived (June 3rd), and as I pulled my car into the temporary car park (normally known as the paddock), there was little sense of the busyness that was to come. The weather was unremarkable - overcast, but dry - and so the forecast for the whole atmosphere of the day itself also seemed fairly unremarkable.

Rosa banksea ‘lutea’ outside the Orangery 

I stood by the gate in a fluorescent yellow jacket and looked down the winding drive adjacent to the house. As 2pm (the opening time) approached, cars begun to slowly meander their way towards me. As they approached I waved them towards the car park.

By 2.40, nearly 100 people had passed through the gates. Monty Don had given the NGS a mention on Gardeners World on the Friday; it appears his plug was a success!

Bex ushered the cars into neat lines, as Steve (Bex's husband) and volunteer Sue manned the gate. Meanwhile, Giles and Emma sold plants outside the orangery; inside, Carol (Giles' wife), Beth and her two boys served tea and cake. Resident artist David's wife, Becky, had set up games on the lawn (and a miniature golf course around the peonies) There was much to do and see for the £6 entry fee. 

David's completed 'Wandering Aengus'

I was soon employed to help Hazel (a volunteer I hadn't yet met) in the washing-up area in the Bothy. A fast turnaround on the crockery was required to keep up with the demand for tea and cake!

A blooming Peony

Hazel had set up a book stall in the neighbouring room, but with an honesty 'basket' in place, her services were in greater demand in the catering department!

Despite the luke-warm weather, the atmosphere was first rate - relaxed and convivial. With the garden at its best, and areas to be enjoyed by all ages, the day proved to be a tremendous success.

But no one worked harder than Mr and Mrs G! Carol had spent five days baking cakes, whilst Giles had brought and set up garden furniture, games and tables and chairs for the day. 

Takings for the NGS were substantial and the money from plant and tea and cake sales went towards the upkeep of the gardens. A successful day, enjoyed by all! But the hard work in the gardens continues...

Up the Garden Paths, Norton Conyers, Spring 2018

Up the Garden Paths, Norton Conyers, Spring 2018

I write this a few weeks after the completion of the paths which now stretch across the vegetable garden. It is the most significant structural change that has taken place at Norton Conyers since I began my gardening career in February.

As 'ground was broken' on the new paths in late March, I was quite naive to the processes and efforts that would be involved. 

After the Easter weekend, Giles, Alan and I ventured over to the vegetable path with spades in hand. Work had already started the previous week when I had been allocated work elsewhere - some planks had already been installed, meaning that some boundaries were already in place. Giles gave us our instructions; and so the digging commenced. The good news for us was that the earth did not need transporting. Instead, it could be shovelled to the side; it was required to raise the level of the lower end of the vegetable garden. 

Beginnings

The vegetable patch is on a slope. It was therefore difficult to judge a 'true' level. Much of the work was done by eye initially and finished off with the aid of a spirit level; optical illusions were created because of the slope, and it was therefore difficult to work without a more scientific aid. 

Alan and I worked hard, and soon looked forward to our tea break. Despite this, Alan commented that he was surprised by the soft consistency of the earth - it was of a relatively even texture, and there were few stones to get in the way of our spades. 'I suppose we have three hundred years of cultivation to thank for that!' Our work was easier than it might otherwise have been.

Peach Blossom

Digging took up much of the day, and a 'path' of sorts started to come into being. 

Alan installing a stake

When the ground was cleared of earth, and levelling finished, we started on a new section. Giles joined us to install the planks. A garden line was used, and the planks were put into place on the perimeters. A pole was used to 'start off' the holes for the wooden stakes, and a sledgehammer to drive them into the earth. And the planks were then nailed into the stakes. This process was repeated at even intervals, and before long the structure of the path was in place. I think I risk making this sound like an easy task; the reality was an extremely painstaking process, with precise measurements required. Even a slight bowing of the wood could lead to a bigger (and more visible) problem further down the line. This required checks and alterations to be made at every stage of the process.

Bex joined us in the afternoon to help out; as did Shandy and Plum. Shandy took particular delight in laying down on the pile of wooden stakes.

To finish off this part of the process, the ends of the path were curved by Giles; planks were partially sawn into at intervals to enable the planks to be bent.

This whole process was to be repeated for another two working days.

Completed Path Boundaries

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Filling In

And so, the earth was cleared; now we needed to fill it in! This required rubble. As I have previously described, Giles is an extremely resourceful man; if he can avoid spending money, he will. Beth and Bex brought rubble from building projects at home - this was a great start. 

Much unused concrete lay in the area adjacent to the courtyard. Old pig troughs needed breaking up; I was employed to do this with a sledgehammer - a very tough job which required patience and determination in equal measure. It also required intermittent breaks; Giles had just the idea for my 'breaks' - shovelling manure!!

Alan had previously borrowed a jackhammer from Giles to clear the concrete patio in front of his house. Alan and I set out in Giles' van to pick up the rubble; we filled the van twice. On each occasion, the dumper waited for us to fill it in the courtyard. The rubble was then spread along the paths, and - if necessary - broken up even further. This process was repeated many times with rubble from other sources - including Giles' own home.

The laden dumper

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Dahlias

I must have shown my growing weariness, as - a few weeks into the path building - Giles asked me to help with the planting of dahlias; this proved to be a welcome change after weeks of digging and hammering, and it was good to do some actual gardening! The dahlias had been brought into the orangery over winter; now was the time to break them up, repot and label them. I was surprised by the sheer number of different varieties.

Potted Dahlias

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The top path in the vegetable garden hadn't been filled by this point; in the afternoon Giles asked me to dig a trench in order for the tap (which was installed on my first day in the gardens) to be relocated into the middle of the garden; Giles plans to install a barrel here to make an attractive centrepiece. As the trench was dug, the clouds gathered. And the rain drove down. Upon finishing the trench, Giles helped me to lay the rest of the piping and move the tap into place. We finished the day soggy and sodden.

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As the final sections of path were filled in with rubble, Giles took delivery of a truck load of road chippings. This would provide the top surface of the paths - another cost-effective yet practical and attractive solution from Giles.

Once again, the trusty old dumper was repeatedly filled and driven to the vegetable garden. The chippings were then shovelled and raked to create a neat, even surface.

The final result was incredibly satisfying. We were all glad to have finished such a physically demanding job, and were now ready to start using the paths to manage the vegetable plots.

The completed path, May 2018

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Giles still has ideas up his sleeve for the future development of the paths. Not only is a barrel to be sourced and placed in the paths' intersection; next year Giles plans to install cobbles into the path's ends. The cobbles will be a hardy, attractive addition to the paths.

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Wandering Aengus

The building of the paths coincided with the completion of David's wooden sculpture, 'Wandering Aengus'. Using the massive stump of a (long-dead) Cedrus libani (Cedar of Lebanon), David carved the figure as the gardeners worked away on the paths. It featured in his most recent exhibition 'Finished Unfinished' at his Ripon Gallery. However, as the name of the exhibition suggests, 'Aengus' - who is inspired by the eponymous poem by William Yeats - is still a work in progress... just like the path come to think of it!

April Miracles - Norton Conyers, April 2018

April Miracles - Norton Conyers, April 2018

The gap between this post and the last wasn’t intentional. Sorry if anyone(!) has been waiting for the next instalment. I’m glad to report that this post will give you a good summary of the intervening weeks and bring us up to date. 
However, I also think it’s quite appropriate. The last month has seen the biggest transformation I have seen in the gardens, and surely the biggest transformation of the year.

April brought the full British spectrum of weather - we had snow, rain, a heatwave; indeed it was like a year unto itself.



Perhaps this weather was the ‘perfect mix’ for healthy Spring growth; as I write, the gardens are flourishing, and growth has been incredibly rapid. 

Peach Blossom

The lawns are now being mowed once a week, and visitors are appearing regularly.
So, the weather and the flora have both undergone almost miraculous transformations. But the biggest achievement for the workers at Norton Conyers this month was the transformation of the physical space in the vegetable garden. Giles had a masterplan for new paths to be installed in this space. He isn’t one for sharing his plans however, and keeps us on our toes!!
In late March, Giles ventured off in his van, and returned with huge planks of wood and stakes. I was fairly tired, having turned manure grass for much of the day, but Giles and I shared the job of hauling them from the middle garden gate to the vegetable garden. We laid them at intervals. Perhaps I wasn’t listening properly, but I vaguely remember Giles saying something about path building at this point; up until then I thought we would be creating borders…
A series of blogs are on the way detailing the building of these paths, which, all being well could still be here in a century or so. One thing Giles is certain of - no one will ever move the foundations we laid!!

Easter in Edinburgh

The end of March also saw my first break from the gardens; the last Tuesday I ventured up to Edinburgh, and the gardens allowed us a day off for Easter Monday!
I didn’t get away from gardening, however. We stayed with my Aunty in Burntisland, and relaid a huge section of turf in her back garden; this needed doing due to a trampoline installed by previous owners which had ruined the grass! Being in the area, I had obligatory Whiskies and explored the wonderful city of Edinburgh. However, The Royal Botanical Gardens were new to me, and I was truly blown away. Both the scale and magnificence of the gardens were worth the Harrogate to Edinburgh journey alone. Perhaps it was the Spring air? The grandeur of the plants in the glass house? Well perhaps it was a mixture of both of these, but it was undoubtedly the dedication and careful conservation of thoughtful, inspired and forward-thinking gardeners and architects. The gardens deserve a post of their own; watch this space!

The Victorian Glass House at The Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh

Rallying Shandy

Shandy had been a bit off-colour a few times over the last few months; who could blame her after the miserable winter we’ve had in the UK? But April saw the 15-year-old rallying and youthful once again. Plum had been left to her own resources on a few occasions this year, but now her mentor returned refreshed and ready to show her how it’s done. The rabbits of Norton Conyers shuddered.

Shandy and Plum having a (well-earned!) break from catching rabbits

Markenfield Hall

Towards the end of March, Giles recruited me for a day at Markenfield Hall - another blog here too!! Both Norton Conyers and Markenfield both have a unique, enchanting and historic beauty, unspoiled by hoards of visitors. Markenfield Hall is a 14th Century manor house 3 miles south of Ripon. It has been wonderfully conserved, preserved and restored. Even more remote than Norton Conyers, Markenfield really is off the beaten track - it is a little paradise of its own. The surrounding moat adds to its unique charm.

Mowing at Markenfield

Mowing and Hoeing

Having laboured hard on the paths for much of April, Giles gave me a break and sent me to pot up the Dahlias with Bex and Alyson. Having sledgehammered, lifted, hammered and dug my way through April, I was glad for a change. ‘Don’t get used to it, though!’ were Giles droll words as he left us to get on with it! Giles is never short of wit.

Dahliutopia

The Dahlias don’t survive the winter; they were dug up from the borders in November and stored in racking in the Orangery. Alyson operated the computer to write and print off labels for the different varieties, and we all worked as a team to break up the tubers, before potting them in fresh compost. This was a full day’s work!
Grass cutting and hoeing finished off April at Norton Conyers (both nearly finished me off!). I still haven’t progressed to the level of ‘sit on mower operator yet’, so my job involved mowing the edges and smaller areas. A big job! Despite the recommended 10,000 steps, the stepcount recorded by my iPhone reached 33,000 after a full day mowing the lawn!

Green Fingers

‘I find hoeing quite therapeutic’, remarked Giles as he passed me in the circular border near the entrance to the walled garden. I agreed - but later would revise this - ‘to an extent!!’

April was the most varied and satisfying yet, but I have a feeling there are even better things to come in these remarkable gardens.

Supporting Norton Conyers!! 27th March 2018

A glorious start. Today's weather brought out the very best in the gardens. It was milder too. Despite it starting off dry, the weather is fickle, so I had still come fully prepared for the worst. In the event, this wasn't needed, and I could soon take off a few layers.

It was the perfect day to bring the benches out of their winter rest - having treated them with linseed oil a fortnight ago. Alyson and I manoeuvred the benches out of the Bothy and lifted them to their appropriate places in the garden. Benches are awkward things to carry - your legs keep getting in the way, meaning you can only make small - but quick - steps. It must be quite comical to watch thinking about it.

Benches bring something unique to a garden. I can't quite place it but perhaps it is the human spirit - the reminder that others have been here before you and enjoyed this very same view.

The benches looked superb in situ and felt soft to the touch. But there wasn't time to sit around; one more bench lay ready to treat - once again, Alyson and I used rags to do so.

My next task was back in the vegetable garden, continuing the task I had started on Thursday. Bex had already used the strimmer to cut back the Manure grass. This made for easier work - upturning these plants, and returning them back in the earth.

Having used a spade the previous day - I thought a fork might be easier. It was. My progress on the patch was quick. Giles soon joined me to lend a hand - he dug with a spade. He said that although it's easier to turn over the earth with a fork, the spade delivers better results. Giles got me a spade from his van and we returned to work.

I had baked a cake for us hard-working gardeners - Jamie Oliver's Torta Di Nada - a blueberry and olive oil cake previously mentioned in my blog. It went down a treat - a moreish, moist and fruity recipe, which gave us all a boost of energy.

We returned to work, and Plum promptly arrived rather proudly with a dead rabbit. It hung limp and lifeless in her mouth as she chewed - its eyes misted and matt black. Giles was happy for her to eat it if she wanted, but wanted to get the tail for the purpose of pollinating first. However, Plum wouldn't give up her catch - she frolicked with it as her Dad made a vain attempt to catch her.

I finished off my stretch of Manure grass, and Giles asked if I wanted a change. My back was starting to feel the strain, so I was glad to be offered this.

I joined Alyson in building and restoring pea supports. Some of the current supports had come loose in the earth - others were broken or no longer fit for purpose. These arched supports are a thing of beauty in themselves when finished - offering  shape and structure to the garden in the absence of plant growth and also shape to the growth when it comes. The knife on my multi-purpose tool came in handy for this task. However, I nicked my finger on it as I cut the twine - there are bloodstains on the branches to prove it!

We retired to lunch. I had saved half of the cake for Sir and Lady Graham, so walked to the house to deliver it. The daffodils had opened up, and looked glorious in the backdrop of the Spring sun and sky.

I finished off my supports, before joining Alyson again on the main border. A support was needed to straddle two neighbouring Heliopsis plants. The support would need to be tall and strong. The earth was tough, and I plunged the branches in vain. Alyson suggested I use a fork to break up the earth. This was just one of the many useful tips and hints she proffered throughout the day; like Giles, Alyson is also a fountain of gardening knowledge, and believes in doing things properly.

At this point, Giles arrived and asked me for my help. I followed him to the area outside the Dumper shed where a huge van stood, bearing the moniker East Riding Horticulture. This was our compost delivery; clearing out the shed the previous week had been very useful, giving up a clean, empty space in which to store it.

The bags were heavy - 75 litres - and there were lots of them - 40 to be precise! Fertiliser, gravel and plastic sheeting completed the delivery.

I returned to finish off the supports - it took a lot longer than I was expecting, but I was pleased with the result.

Resident artist David Stead had hosted a group of ladies for an art class today, and was showing them the gardens. They commented on the beauty of the supports we had created - it was pleasing to have this appreciation.

During all this time, Alan, Bex and Beth had been busy in the vegetable garden - starting to build raised beds. Haven't seen the results yet, but as I'm on holiday now for the next week, it's likely things will have changed quite dramatically again by next Thursday!

As I tidied up, Giles and David ventured into the gardens, and I was called upon for assistance. David had acquired a huge tree stump - Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani). It needed lifting upright. Giles used his mini tractor to lift it up; David used a metal stake in the ground to prevent it from toppling; I looked on - ensuring the stump wasn't in danger of slipping. The stump was now upright, but not stable. We tied it to the concrete slabs in the yard using blue rope.

I ended my day - again tired but strangely refreshed. I looked forward to the fresh challenges I would face the following week.