After what proved a long, draining and very wet winter, I don’t think I have ever been so relieved to feel the bouff of spring.
The hedgerows are spinning my brain as I whiz along the back roads of Northumberland, and my garden suddenly turned into a jungle overnight. Thank goodness Nathan has set up his own gardening business. At 17, he’s fully mobile and ready to tackle the wedding willow at Vallum and lawns aplenty.
The bees are buzzing in the Pine kitchen garden at Vallum too, and the team has built a bean arch recently. They’ve planted different varieties of peas and beans, and I can’t wait to see the flowers and foliage. I’ll also have to see if I can get away with stealing a fresh bean or two when they’re ready.
I recently saw a social media post where someone had put stakes between raised beds and bent cattle panels between the two. An easy and solid idea when done right, I might have to try it – wouldn’t it be amazing with pumpkins and gourds?
While my garden at home may be full of weeds, the chard I planted among the flowers last year has come back brilliantly, and it’s very tasty. We also have a lot of dandelions, which I’m seeing everywhere – perhaps it’s just our corner of Northumberland, or has the weather given them perfect conditions for a crazy year?
Enjoy the sunshine, and your gardens, we’ve waited long enough to make the most of both!
Vicky Moffitt, of Vallum Farm on Hadrian’s Wall, shares the trials and tribulations of tending her garden, and hosting weddings and events at Vallum Farm.
Vallum, Military Road, Newcastle, NE18 0LL, tel 01434 672 055, www.vallummarquee.co.uk
