August Gardening Newsletter

Dear Residents. Welcome to the ‘summer’ edition of the gardeners’ newsletter.

Now seems like an excellent time for a brief update by Gardens First, your gardeners; and it seems very appropriate to start with that perennial British favourite topic - the weather. Most of Spring 2021 was very wet. I think it has been one of the wettest periods on record, if not the wettest. And after a brief let up and a sudden rise in temperatures, summer now appears to be continuing in a similar vain.

Residents may have noticed that the Gardeners seem to be constantly mowing the lawns. This is because of the persistent rain and relatively mild temperatures, which combined, cause the grass to grow as though it had been given a new lease of life - and the team had to be on the alert for one of the few dry periods, when we could get the mowers out. (Sometimes we were forced to mow in the rain, but this is not the ideal treatment for the lawns or the mowers; but sometimes needs must)! Along with the grass, the weeds are sprouting furiously (as they always do), and have kept the gardeners really busy too.

LAWN SCARIFICATION

During the spring, the gardeners carried out some much needed and overdue maintenance work on the lawns. Over time, grass shoots, stems and roots die back and create what is called thatch. Thatch, when left untreated, absorbs the moisture and creates the perfect environment for moss to develop and spread.

The more moss that develops the more damage it causes to the lawn, by preventing essential nutrients and light from penetrating to the roots. Scarification is essentially the process of removing moss and thatch from the lawns.

Furthermore, scarification is a process which can only be carried out in spring and/or Autumn when the grass is actively growing. Unfortunately for us, this period is further limited, due to the amount of trees on the estate. The leaf fall in autumn inhibits our ability to carry out the work during this period, meaning we are restricted to doing the work in spring.

The plan is to carry out scarification regularly. This will enable us to get on top of the issue, restore and maintain the lawns in future, improving the overall appearance of the estate. Since carrying out the scarification in spring we have already noticed a marked improvement in the treated areas, which look lush and healthier.

PLANTING BULBS

As the gardeners do most years we planted lots of bulbs last Autumn, to flower in Spring; about 500 in total. We planted many of them in the Terrace area, but many other areas were covered in cyclamen, daffodils, and other stunning plants. For greater impact they were planted in clumps to produce splashes of colour around the Estate. (A tip for the many residents who plant bulbs in their own gardens, or in pots around their

flats. Bulbs rot very easily (especially tulips) and give-up flowering. It’s best not to ‘kill them with kindness’ and over-water them. Ideally bulbs need to be watered from below. This is easy when they are in pots. Just place a saucer of water beneath the pot, and the water will be ‘drawn up’. Of course a different approach needs to be taken with bulbs in the soil. Just water them sparingly – in fact bulbs don’t need a lot of water, and can usually be left to draw moisture from the soil from the rains).

Many of our Pelargoniums didn’t survive the cold of the last winter. (They are usually annual flowers anyway, but the mild winters of the preceding years have meant that many have managed to survive all year round). This year we have planted a number in pots, which can be taken into our greenhouse over winter, looked after and kept warm enough to enable them to survive.

NATURE LOVERS

At the time of writing this newsletter we are currently gearing up and poised to begin work on the lake island. The geese appear to have finally vacated and we hope by now the last of the ducklings have hatched. Work on the island is certainly no easy feat, and given the nature of the weather, and the amount of growth, this year will prove no different.

The lake has been awash with activity this year, as has the estate in general. Nature lovers have had a real treat and I’m sure many will have enjoyed the presence of the Geese, Ducks, Squirrels and Terrapins. Some may have been lucky enough to glimpse a brief visit of our resident Heron. It really has been a wonderful sight.

FORWARD THINKING

A gardeners’ work is never done. Over the coming months our priorities, roles and responsibilities will again shift. Before long the autumn leaves will begin to fall, and our attention will be very much focused on blowing, raking and recycling the leaves for next years’ mulch. We have been busy reorganising the space at the back of the gardeners’ hut, to enable us to utilise the space and process materials to produce compost.

With that said, all that is left is for us to wish you all well until we meet again. In the meantime, we will continue to do our utmost to keep the gardens and the ground looking their best for your pleasure.

Best Wishes,
Simon and the Gardening Team