February 2023

The last month of Summer.  This is where we feel the Summer drawing out, keeping everything dry and where we have the most plant casualties.  The longer Jenny has lived here at Crofton, the more philosophical she has become when it comes to this. 

“What can I do?” she asks everyone and no one, spreading her arms wide in a helpless motion.

We water but it is not enough.  We save some plants, we lose some.  That is just how it rolls here.

The Spring rain has brought a lot of growth to our trees which is one consolation, and it has made a real difference to the garden.  Where once was just crispy is now broken up into crispy, slightly crispy and positively lush grass areas. Its only taken 20 years…

Our greatest success this month has been in the Greenhouse.  Mum’s gorgeous dark blue Lupins have happily sprouted from seeds, we managed to save some Eryngiums seedlings from the snails and everything is growing quite happily, waiting to be potted on or planted in the garden weather permitting (probably around April).

It really is a tribute to  the idea that to plant a garden is to believe in the future…