I’ve never been one to make a wreath, takes too much effort, or so I thought. Joining the instagram community I couldnt help but notice how many gorgeous wreaths were being displayed and I guess it gradually wore off on me. So armed with my trusty Felco’s and a bag I disappered into the wood to forage for anything I could find , turns out that theres an abundance of flora just waiting for me to cultivate my artistic talent. After what can only be discribed as the better part of the day, the dogs now bored with following me around I returned with arms full. Honestly for anyone thinking this is too hard to try, then I can honestly say I really enjoyed it and it wasnt half as hard as I thought it would be. The ring was made from Willow whips, using a basic filler of Holly and Ivy with added all sorts, I got so carried away I made wreaths for members of my family as Christmas gifts and they were so gratefully received. It was a revelation and definately one I will be repeating this year.
Christmas was obviously very small, family that were supposed to visit couldnt as we all know, so it was just myself, my husband Nick and the dogs, Lilly the Mini Schnauzer and Olive our Whippet. We drank Champagne gifted to us by Nicks good friend Dermot Sugrue www.dermotsugrue.com who produces his own gorgeous Champagne in West Sussex, cooked a rib of beef and danced around the house to old classics. It was such a fun day despite missing our loved ones. Theres no denying that Christmas is about family and my heart goes out to everyone that missed this important part this year.
Looking out onto the garden I still want to go outside despite the weather. Sometimes its good to just stop for a while and be forced to do something else. At this time of year I tend to just let things be in the garden until at least end January, early February. Yes the garden probably could do with a tidy up but for some, this mess will help them get through the winter. All the leaves and general mess all help provide shelter for our most tiny garden friends, the insects and birds will all appreciate a garden that’s left alone. So on rainy cold miserable days like this, when I am somewhat forced to be inside, I like to take myself off into a little corner and read. For me nothing nicer than a warm fire, cup of coffee, a bit of peace and quiet and a good gardening book to while a way the hours when its too wet to really do anything else.
I think most of us can all relate to perhaps having more time than normal spent at home in this current climate, its been a year that we have had to reevaluate and look at our lives in a very different way, for some of us, its an opportunity to pick us those books that have sat on the shelf for a while. If you’re like me you’ve collected a shelf full, like me but invariably I always go back to the same ones. The ones I like the best are those gardeners that I guess I would call ‘classic’ I reach for them time and time again, referencing here and there throughout the year. Penelope Hobhouse is one such gardener, if you haven’t read her books then I encourage you to do so, her books are full of knowledge and planting sense, her borders designs are to die for and I will always champion her wonderful books.
Of course my main passion is growing my own food, knowing where your food as come from and being able to pick something fresh from the garden really is wonderful, especially when you can harvest food all year round with some planning. There are many gardening greats but for vegetable gardening, Charles Dowding has totally changed the way I garden and has made me poprerly think about the soil beneath our feet. Honestly no-dig gardening is a game changer but more about that subject another time.
In any case whatever books are your favourites, its time to dust them off, get your nose in and learn something new, or perhaps look at things from another angle. I bought myself a new book called ‘Back Garden Seed Saving’ which I am delighted with, I want to harvest as much as I can from my own stocks, this book will undoubtedly help me on my way.
