Chris Palmer
“I’ll have a go myself. How difficult can it be?”
The delivery driver, whose name was Bob, gave me what I think used to be called ‘an old-fashioned look’ and completed his task.
“I have a few handy friends as well.”
Bob finished his tea. He appeared to be a man of few words. He had driven all the way from Wolverhampton to deliver the frame and glass and had two more drop-offs to complete. Having looked around our garage he smiled at me and said: “Would you mind if I looked at your toolbox?”
I’m not one to get offended easily, but I had to admit to him that it was basically a drawer of an old pine sideboard which became stuck in the winter and sometimes refused to budge. I hadn’t tried it recently.
“If I were you, I would get an expert to put it up.”
He knew how to hurt.
When I decided last summer to acquire a greenhouse, I thought the process would be quite straightforward. There are, however, a considerable number of factors to consider – type, style, size, site, base and budget being the major ones.
I decided on most of these factors, and then waited for last autumn when I guessed there might be sales of garden furniture and accessories. I acquired a medium sized structure at a good price, and it arrived in kit form before Christmas. It still had to be put up and Bob’s comments, though slightly demoralising, proved to be astute.
Alex said he would be with me by 7.45am. Considering his journey was from the Fife coast to South Ayrshire in the middle of winter I had my doubts, but he was bang on time. Dawn was only just breaking through as he examined the site.
“It’ll do, though I’ll have to batten it down well. We don’t want it sailing over that hedge into the sea. Had you thought of a water butt? I bet you get your fair share of rain here.”
He had the appearance of Tommy Fleetwood in a few years’ time. It didn’t surprise me when he said that he loved going to the TT Races on the Isle of Man.
“I’ll be done by three.”
He waved away my offer of assistance, so I was relegated to tea boy, a not unfamiliar role for me. Alex’s huge array of equipment was impressive. He dismissed the booklet of instructions.
“I’ve done hundreds of these.”
I left him to get on with it. It was done by three as promised. He even had time to examine my garden.
“You’ve a lot of creeping buttercup,” he observed, and he was correct. It is a pernicious weed that I struggle to control. “There’s more moss than grass. Two signs of poor drainage.”
I was about to wish him a safe journey home when he turned to me and said: “I saw the dahlia tubers in the garage. They look the business. I lift and store like you. I bet you have a great display.”
“Thanks, Alex. You’re a sound judge. I’ll put them in the greenhouse in March. Maybe split a couple of them. I can’t wait.”
When I told him of the tubers of blue dahlias that I had ordered from Sarah Raven, he was suitably impressed. I could spare one, as I always over order. So, with a new variety, Blue Bayou, apparently nectar rich and excellent for bees and butterflies, tucked into the back of his van, he set off back to the Fife coast, which he assured me was cold but drier. Alex’s final words were: “Don’t forget the water butt. Rainwater is better than tap water for your plants.” A man to reckon with.
The vernal equinox has passed. It may still be cold, but we really, by now, should have said goodbye to winter. Some bulbs – crocuses, daffodils and irises – may have already been and gone. Tulips are promising colour next month. The lawn has had its first cut.
This is a time for renewal in the garden. I love these weeks leading up to Easter – at a sensible time this year. Renewal for me involves finishing all the pruning of shrubs such as roses that should have been done by now. I bring out my dahlia tubers from the north-facing bedroom windowsill where they have been hibernating. Together with my new acquisitions, this year I will pot them up, and give them a chance to get a head start in my greenhouse, keeping an eye on the weather in case there are any late frosts. I will be sowing broad bean seeds indoors and once they have germinated, will harden them off in the greenhouse. The same applies to sweet peas. Everything gathers pace as we move into April.
This year I must be mindful of Alex’s comments about creeping butter cup (ranunculus repens). It’s everywhere. Renewal also involves restoring the seed beds to new freshness, and with perennial weeds every scrap of root has to be dug up. Creeping buttercup is so difficult to control if you have a damp garden like mine.
Last year, about this time, I set aside a whole day. I had a kneeler to help me as I moved along the border. I was using a sturdy trowel and hand-fork. The simple task is to loosen and lift every sign of creeping buttercup, the roots being extensive and stubborn to move. It is slow, tedious but essential. I listen to audio books or recordings of radio programmes. It was late morning, and I was making good progress. There was a large pile of debris.
I went to put my hand on the ground to support me as I stood up and nearly squashed a robin to death. He was right beside my hand. I hadn’t noticed him. He nonchalantly hopped a few inches away. He had his eyes on a large worm wriggling out of the soil. I say ‘he’ but male and female really look the same. The risk of being crushed did not deter my cheeky, wee friend. As I continued to dig and extract the pernicious weed, he took advantage of the ‘collateral damage’, feasting on worms and grubs. He flew away and then returned, hopping nearby, apparently with an insatiable appetite. What a bold and fun companion. If I leave the garage door open, he has a good wee snoop. Maybe, one day he will make a nest there. I’m sure readers will have similar stories.
As well as renewal, this time of the year is a chance for innovation. In the vegetable patch, why not try a different variety of potato. I’m going to sow some ‘Sarpo Mira’, a tasty pink-skinned maincrop. Beware, though, of late frosts.
In the flower garden, whether in the border or in pots, this is a good time to plant lilies. My preference has always been in pots. If you have, say, three or four good sized pots, it is best to stagger the planting. Maybe every fortnight or so. I have frequently planted ‘Lilium Regale’, but there are lots of varieties. Have a go with whatever takes your fancy. It is good to experiment.
This is my favourite time of the year for gardening. April is on the horizon; the sap is rising. Enjoy every moment after that long hard winter.
