Visiting expert Chris Reynolds

This week it has been our pleasure to work with the highly esteemed Curator of The Botanical Collection at Forestry Commission; Bedgebury Pinetum- Chris Reynolds.

Chris at work!

Chris is an expert in the conifer world and is a co-founder of the British Conifer Society- along with Jon Tate (owner of Lime Cross Nursery), as well as other conifer experts and enthusiasts.
Chris has been perfecting our pinetum using his pruning skills, and has really transformed it, he has been merciless and pruned back severely but as he is a professional his judgment is key and his green fingers will create more balanced growth and control vigour.

Thank you Chris we are honoured to have you on board this week.

Visit Bedgebury at; http://www.bedgeburypinetum.org.uk/

The longest days of the year

The first days of summer have arrived despite the current climate suggesting otherwise, this symbolic period evokes many responses within us;  for the scientist within you this will mean that the earth’s semi axis in our hemisphere is tilted in the closest position possible towards the sun. The druid lurking within you might consider stroking Stonehenge sporting some thai dye or maybe just your mac in a pac. But what about the botanist within you ? Well, the warm March and April meant that the strawberries ripened earlier and were therefore exceptionally tasty due to the decrease in acid and increase in sugars, but what has mid-June brought us? Unfortunately rain and not much sun. So you might have noticed that some fruit and veg seem under developed, but do not fear because the sun is apparently scheduled for a reappearance next week. This means that the ground - newly replenished with liquid precipitation - will be perfect for planting, so inject some colour into your garden using Dalia’s, awaken your senses by planting herbs and lavender and enjoy your garden to the max throughout  these long summer days.