And so to the second part of my awards for 2012. Today I’m offering up a Golden Snail for those things that let the side down this year.
The first award has to go to the weather. I know Britain isn’t exactly known for its great weather but really this year was a shocker. And it started off so well. Basking in sunshine in March it wasn’t long before there were the rumbles of hosepipe bans and drought warnings. Water butts were flying out of garden centres as gardeners prepared for a summer of water shortages. Someone was interviewed from a water company and said we’d need it to rain incessantly for most of the summer to fill up the depleted reservoirs and aquifers. The words be careful what you wish for do spring to mind. There’s no denying we needed rain but not in the quantities we’ve ended up with. Ground saturated after summer now can’t cope with the winter rain. It wasn’t just the rain though. Summer never really got going. Sunshine levels were low and we didn’t have much heat to speak of. All of this meant it was a pretty shocking year for gardeners. We can only hope that 2013 is an improvement but that wouldn’t be hard.
Slugs, to be honest, would feature in any list of downsides to gardening but with all of the aforesaid rain slug numbers this year exploded. Pity the slugs didn’t. It’s fair to say they had a field day chomping their way through not just the usual Hostas and lettuce but, in my own garden, climbing all the way up plants to eat the flowers of Heleniums and Monardas. Now this really was rubbing it in my face. What worries me is, if all those slugs laid eggs that are waiting in the soil to emerge next spring, will we be in for even more slugs next year.
I wasn’t sure choosing a plant purely because I liked its name was the best idea and Ezetha’s krombek blauwschokker proved me to be right. A purple mangetout pea it was, well, pants. It wasn’t particularly prolific, the pods needed to be eaten very small so they weren’t tough and if you did miss picking the pods the resulting peas were pretty flavourless. It’s flowers were pretty but then I wasn’t growing it for them. I already had two beds of flowers, what I really wanted was tasty peas. So it gets a big thumbs down. In future, I think I’ll be looking for flavour recommendations instead.
Derek Jarman’s garden may have won the Golden Wellies award but Sissinghurst unfortunately gets a Golden Snail. Maybe it was never going to be able to live up to the reputation that preceded it but the visit just left me feeling rather flat. In many ways it’s a victim of its popularity. Coach loads of tourists pull up every day, in fact numbers are already restricted during the busy summer months and yet it still felt too busy. I like to be able to find a quiet spot in the gardens I visit but this really wasn’t possible and it did give it the air of somewhere that was just being crossed off the sightseeing list. Coaches disgorge their cargo every day but a comment I overheard did make me wonder how many of them would have chosen to go if it wasn’t just part of their itinerary. Wellyman and I were gobsmacked to hear someone say ‘I don’t really like gardens with flowers’. Really? Well I’m guessing you’re not going to enjoy today then. I don’t deny the design of the gardens and the setting are beautiful but the atmosphere can matter just as much and sadly this didn’t feel right at Sissinghurst.
I feel a Golden Snail must go to the TV producers out there who could bring us great gardening TV but aren’t. Considering gardening is the most popular hobby why is there such a dearth of programmes about it. One half hour programme once a week in the form of Gardener’s World seems rather paltry to me. There was the Love Your Garden programme on ITV and the Flower Pot Gang on the BBC but these were makeover programmes rather than garden programmes. They served a purpose and I’m sure appealed to many and some really deserving people had gardens created for them that will make a difference to their lives but they aren’t what I’m looking for in the schedules. What about some botany programmes, features about gardens abroad and how gardening is perceived in other countries, allotments, arboretums, plant collectors both historical and modern? Why has nobody thought about programmes devoted to a particular plant in a similar vein to Anna Pavord’s book The Tulip . There is so much potential out there and I do find it very frustrating that gardening seems to be seen as just about digging and sowing.
The birds which stripped my blueberry bushes before I had a chance to net them are awarded a Golden Snail. If they ate more snails rather than blueberries we might have a more harmonious relationship.
And finally, my last Golden Snail of the year goes to those suggesting that tools can no longer be stored at my allotment site because of Health and Safety. As well as all the usual stuff I take up to the plot with me – secateurs, trug, gloves, twine, bucket for flowers, bags for produce and sometimes fleece or netting, the idea that I might now have to somehow cart up there a spade, fork, rake and hoe doesn’t thrill me. All this and no car. I think I’ve got an interesting year ahead of me as a committee has been set up to liaise with the council to iron out problems with the management of the allotments and I volunteered to be on the committee. I don’t like the politics that invariably results from these sorts of meetings so I’m not sure how it’ll go. We needed 4 people to represent the allotment holders and the response was underwhelming to say the least. For me the allotment is about a place to escape to, my main concern is that it becomes somewhere that is less about relaxation and more about a cause of stress. Lets just hope I’m not giving the allotment a Golden Snail this time next year.
Kathryn Marsh said:
Couldn’t agree more with all your awards – have your local council gone mad? In my allotment days it was a two mile walk from home and I couldn’t have done it carrying spade etc – certainly an encouragement to no dig gardening. And yes, the absence of gardening programmes. Especially as the family won’t let me watch GW as i scream corrections when they do something stupid and tend to throw things at the screen. Why can’t we have things like those gorgeous single species programmes Geoffrey Smith used to to. And every time I hear – HEAR – a programme about plant hunting I want to see it on the telly.
Yours muddily
wellywoman said:
It’s all to do with the insurance company and them wanting assurances the site is safe. I know a few others who feel the same about GW. It’s funny to follow twitter whilst it’s on as there is quite a bit of ranting about the mistakes. 😉
kate said:
Interesting – and I’m in almost complete agreement with you (it would be total if I’d experienced the mangetouts).
Sissinghurst has been a disappointment for me for years, down to the crowds; the weather has been pants, gardening on TV is not good and your ‘no tools on the allotment’ rule is demented. Surely, from a h&S perspective, it’s more dangerous having people – some of whom may be elderly – schlepping garden tools all over the place… agh….
wellywoman said:
Thanks Kate, There are no sheds on site because that is deemed as attracting vandalism which is a fair point as the plots are fairly open. Those of us with side plots store our tools at the edges those with central plots don’t really have anywhere to put them. I’m sure we’ll sort something out . . .hopefully!
Christina said:
A fun read WW, I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy Sissinghurst and understand your reasons. It is a while since I visited; the first time it was a gardening revelation to me and I also hold the spring garden in my mind as an ideal. As to tv programmes let me just say you’re lucky you don’t live in Italy! If I just say man in a pure white suit tinkering with planting you’ll get the idea. Good luck with the allotment committee! I’d also like to ask you some questions about a cuttings garden as you’ve inspired me to try to find space for a couple of beds. Christina
wellywoman said:
I can imagine the Italian version of GW. From the Italian TV I’ve seen on my visits I’m surprised there isn’t a naked woman wielding a spade! 😉 Do you want to email me at the address on my ‘about’ page with your questions for a cutting patch?
joan said:
Lovely blog as usual .did you not have any problem with cabbage white caterpillars this year? My sprouts and cauliflowers are still being stripped by them .
wellywoman said:
I don’t grow a lot of brassicas but those I did did suffer from them. I covered them in enviromesh which is great at protecting them but going over them and squishing any eggs and baby caterpillars I’ve found is the best way. Might be hard work if you grow lots though 😉
Cathy said:
We didn’t have a very wet year, but more humid than normal, and we also had a lot more snails and slugs than usual. You’ll need a lightweight wheelbarrow to go the allotment now… good luck with the committee meeting!
wellywoman said:
Thanks I’m hoping I can help make the allotments better. Seems slugs and snails are a pest wherever you garden. Do you think there’s somewhere that doesn’t have them? The desert possibly but then I wouldn’t want to garden in a desert
Cathy said:
Although gardening in a desert is possible – I read this blog: http://tjsgarden.com/ and am constantly amazed at the flora and fauna there!
wellywoman said:
Thanks for the link. It’s fascinating what will grow even in seemingly inhospitable places.
Jo said:
I think the biggest disappointment this year has been the weather, and all we can do about that is hope for better next year. I don’t have anywhere to store my tools at the allotment so I have to take them with me each time I visit, but I take the car anyway, so it’s not too bad. I wouldn’t fancy doing it without a car though, and if there’s somewhere there to store them, I can’t see any problem with it. It’s health and safety gone mad.
wellywoman said:
We can’t have sheds at the site because they think it’ll attract vandalism which is a fair point so most of us have created spaces at the edge of our plots where we store them but there are some who have middle plots that can’t really do this. It’s bad enough at the moment as I nearly always get up there and find I’ve forgotten something. 😉
Sue said:
The golden snail for me is to be awarded to the Asparagus pea. Very pretty, very small and totally lacking in flavour.
wellywoman said:
I was tempted a few years ago and then had a look on the internet and saw some not so flattering comments about them so I thought I’d give them a miss. Looks like I chose wisely.
easygardener said:
The words “hosepipe ban” make me roll my eyes in disbelief. It’s as if, once uttered, they put a bad spell on the weather!
I agree with you about the purple mange tout. I grew them once and they were very poor. Pretty pods but that’s about as far as it goes.
I have been to Sissinghurst once, many years ago and have been meaning to go again but have been putting it off time after time – probably an indication that I expect to be disappointed.
BTW – my greenhouse is lined with plastic bubble wrap and there is a small fan heater set to very low. This means the temperature should not drop below 1C and this works fine for me. Even if you don’t get a heater I recommend the plastic – it has lasted me for years.
Charles said:
Have to agree with blueberries. My cousin grows them commercially in Devon. I tried in pots and I believe we had two berries, one each. So much for super food.
wellywoman said:
I have plans though Charles not to be beaten next year. I just need to get my frame and netting in place early on.
outofmyshed said:
Hi WW, Love both your Golden Welly and Snail awards, reminiscent of the Kermode Awards I felt! The weather has been a shocker and slugs monstrous, but I love the plants that were a success-particularly your Black Knight carrot. I also waited and waited for my mini squashes to grow, and was also awarded with 1 normal and 2 very petite fruits. Delighted with them none-the -less and fingers crossed for a warmer summer next year as it would be great to try out a few more of these amazing veggies. Inspired by your awards, thinking of doing a post on my top 5 or 6 growers this year, and my mini-wildflower meadow, inspired by Sarah Raven’s programmes will certainly be up there. Thanks for 2 great posts!
outofmyshed said:
p.s. Congratulations on being shortlisted for Best Blog at the GMG Awards. Very well deserved!
wellywoman said:
Thanks Naomi, that’s very kind of you to say. I really wish I could have been there. Maybe we could have finally met. I’d like to go next year, so fingers crossed I can make it. Hopefully we’ll get a chance to get together some time soon. 🙂
Anna B said:
What a cracking set of posts! These are my favourite awards ceremonies by far!! Haha! Very enjoyable read 🙂
wellywoman said:
Cheers! It has been quite a bad year for gardeners but I didn’t want to dwell too much on planting disasters.
Anna B said:
Very true. I had one courgette grow this year but usually I have marrows coming out of my ears. A few of my other crops failed on me too, then some things totally surprised me and most of my flowers have been very confused until recently! Anyway, I really enjoyed both your awards posts, very entertaining! 🙂
Flighty said:
All worthy recipients of this award, especially the weather and slugs.
It’s sad that Sissinghurst’s popularity has begun to put people off it as a garden to visit.
I agree about the lack of good gardening programmes but I think that we’ll continue to live in hope.
The last one is all too typical nowadays, and I hope that the matter is resolved quickly and sensibly. xx
wellywoman said:
It’s strange when somewhere is popular that the very popularity then spoils it. It’s the same with pretty much every tourist spot in the world.
Hoping we can sort something out at the allotment. Might not be able to manage it otherwise.
Janet/Plantaliscious said:
WHAT?! You can’t store tools at your allotment?! That is so crazy I am almost speechless. On the slugs front, I was chatting to the guy who was sweeping our chimney about what a lousy year it had been for gardeners. He told me about walking through his father’s two fields (retired farmer), and seeing a sea of slugs everywhere, the ground was heaving with them, they formed a living carpet. He had never seen the like, in over 40 years of walking through those fields. I am trying not to think about slug eggs. We clearly need a long spell of really sharp frosts to kill them off. Good list.
wellywoman said:
I know, I know, bonkers isn’t it? I’m hoping that by being on the committee I can hopefully have some influence. That slug story is disgusting. yuk!
paulinemulligan said:
A good selection for your Golden Snail award, I think we would all agree that the weather has to come top of the list. Next on mine would be the mole that is trying to wreck the back lawn, not by throwing up molehills but by running everywhere underneath so that the lawn now is looking like corrugated cardboard!
wellywoman said:
oh no Pauline, a rampaging mole, that doesn’t sound good. Hope he/she goes somewhere else soon.
jane said:
You are so right about the dearth of decent gardening programmes. I would love to see something along the lines of ‘ Life of a head gardener’ featuring places like Great Dixter, Hidcote etc etc
wellywoman said:
That sounds like a great idea for a programme, Jane. I’d love to see that too.
Anna said:
What an excellent crop of nominations WW. I did not grow EKB but went for ‘Shiraz’ – a T&M introduction, much exalted in their catalogue but it tasted worse than cardboard. Interested to read your observations on Sissinghurst which I’ve still to visit. Flabbergasted by the suggestion that tools can’t be stored on allotment Presumably that’s coming from the council? Good luck with being a committee member 🙂
wellywoman said:
I’ll make sure I’ll avoid Shiraz too. It’s frustrating when you go to all the trouble of growing something and then it’s such a disappointment. Especially if they get such a good write up. I know the tools thing is annoying hoping we can find some solution. Thanks for the good luck message, I may need it. 😉
annie_h said:
That just sounds bonkers that you can’t leave your tools at the allotment and as someone else commented sounds a bigger risk in carrying them round all the time. Can’t imagine an allotment without sheds!
Completely agree with you about gardening programmes. I’ve enjoyed GW this year but half an hour is just not enough. I remember watching a programme about Heligan through the seasons a couple of years ago. Think it was by the Natural World people and it was brilliant. Just not enough things on like that.
wellywoman said:
I saw that Heligan programme and loved it. In fact we recorded it. Half an hour never seems enough for GW. they are just getting into their stride and it’s over. Longer programmes would be better.
Charles said:
What about one bullet proof bunker where people can leave tools? If you all had keys that opened it that could work, although I imagine treasured tools might walk.
If you like something you end up on the committee, I know I am on one myself.
wellywoman said:
It’s an idea. I’m sure we’ll come up with something . . . hopefully.
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