Our prospect brightens, proves our stay,
December turns to smiling May;
Conveys to us that peaceful shore,
By raging billows lashed no more,
Where endless happiness remains,
And one eternal summer reigns.
(Extract from Winter Evening Thoughts by Patrick Bronte circa 1811)
Bronte Parsonage Garden Diary for February and March 2019
This year we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of Patrick accepting the perpetual curacy at Haworth so it seemed apt to start our year’s gardening diary with a quote from one of his published works. We are amidst the period between December and May that he refers to and our mild winter so far will hopefully convey us to a peaceful shore and an eternal summer, hopefully as memorable as last year’s!
With a very mild February, Jenny and I decided to make a start tidying the garden. Even though we clear the garden in November of as many leaves as we can, it never fails to amaze us how many more leaves there are to collect come February time. Anyway with that work completed the next task was to turn the soil and add nutrients, without damaging any snowdrops, aconites and other bulbs emerging. So, yes, February is one of our busiest months, providing the weather is kind.
We find that an early start in the garden not only gives it a good look for our visitors but it gives a good basis for the garden to flourish throughout the rest of the year. One special job we have done early on this year is to place our two award “Emily” roses, donated from David Austin last year, into two newly purchased terracotta pots to hopefully showcase them a little more. So here’s hoping they out perform for us!
Given all the hard work in February, we expect March to be a little easier on the work front so that we can watch the remaining spring bulbs of daffodils and croci emerge. The spring heather will also be out in the back garden and we will have to see how badly last year’s drought conditions affected it and what remedies, if any, might be necessary.
The remaining part of March will see Jenny getting the tubs and pots bedded up with me getting to grips with the lawn. Do come and see us soon and happy gardening!