Green Fingers in early Spring
Down at Caves Folly Nursery, Bridget has an important announcement.
My decision to close my retail nursery this coming autumn has been a reflective experience after 45 years as a grower. In the meantime, the nursery will be open as usual this season, I am not hanging up my trowel just yet!
Growing plants is part of what identifies me. I am connected subconsciously to the seasons, natural cycles and the soil. My general everyday life revolves around the weather and plants.
Deciding to slow down a bit has made me reflect on all the amazing things we have achieved over the years and the people who have made this possible. Many people have inspired me and helped along the way.
Firstly, my parents, who helped me set up the nursery and supported the business in any way which was needed, from pricking out to babysitting! Without their generosity and support I could not have made it this far.
Starting a business is always hard without capital, but the horticultural industry is full of kind and helpful people who are aware of the challenges of growing and happy to share advice and help in many ways. Our environmental practices have earned us some fabulous, high profile customers over the years; The National Trust, The RSPB, The Royal Household, The RHS, and Garden Organic, to name a few.
We have also attended a lot of flower shows and gained a following of loyal customers who support us because they not only want to buy our organic plants, but they really care about the environment. I am proud that we were pioneers in the use of peat free composts (dating back 35 years) and organic growers (40 years ago).
It gives me great pleasure to think of the many thousands of our plants growing in gardens all over the UK as well as all the dozens of gardens that my partner Wil and I have created over the years. From courtyards and lakes to parklands, each one has been as important as the other, creating unique environments for wildlife.
Not only have I earned a living from a job I enjoy but I have passed that joy and knowledge on to others, as well as creating landscapes that will benefit the environment for future generations.
Here are a few jobs you can be getting on with in the garden over the coming weeks. It is time to prune back lavenders and penstemons to their base. You can plant perennials, trees and shrubs, sow annual flowers, and start direct sowing all vegetables including spinach, beetroot, carrot and radish.
You can begin to plant potatoes; watch out for late frosts and keep some fleece at the ready! Keep on hoeing and weeding regularly, while in the greenhouse make sure plants are watered and well ventilated.
Enjoy spring!
Bridget
Bridget runs Caves Folly Nurseries on Evendine Lane in Colwall (WR13 6DX). They are open from March until October, Thursdays to Saturdays from 10 - 4. You can contact them on 01684 540631 or visit their website:
www.cavesfolly.com