Damp summer tales
It's been an immensely wet and not-very-hot July so far. We're all at war with snails - every gardener I speak to is at their wit's end. One friend recommended going out at night with a torch and peeling the buggers from each precious stem. I must admit I have taken to this.
I also used wool - the kind of natural wool that comes with certain food deliveries. It's good for insulating plants in the winter, and I've swathed my cucumbers and cardoons in it to put off those slimy gastropods. I went out the next morning to find the wool covered in SLIME for goodness' sake. The wool has now been given over to sparrows who cutely peck at it in the mornings (literally at the same time every day) and swish off with it for their homes. I can allow this.
I ran a competition on Instagram to award a planting plan - it ended up being a lot more popular than I expected! I met with the winner in her beautiful garden near the seafront in Leigh-on-Sea. There are numerous opportunities in this garden to create different 'zones' and I'm enjoying working on the plan for this.
I'm also working on cottage-style planting for a beautiful garden right on the coast. I adore this garden, and have already started work prepping the garden for planting, which should hopefully be started this week. The couple have a dog, Albert, who accompanies me in the garden - occasionally joining me as I scrabble about on hands and knees in the borders, Albert sniffing my shoulder from time to time and checking on what I'm doing.
The common theme from my clients is how they tell me what they want their garden to be for them but they don't quite know how to get there. For most of my clients, they have a garden but don't know what to do with it, or have tried and been unsuccessful. It can be totally overwhelming, and most of them just want to go outside and enjoy it! Gardening isn't for everyone and I totally get that - for example when I rented properties, I didn't feel ownership of the gardens (or bits of gardens) that I had access to, and none of them were on the ground floor so I always felt detached. That's how some of my clients feel - they HAVE a garden but don't necessarily feel connected to it. I think it is a privilege to work for people and create a space that they can suddenly feel that they've played a part in.
As a planting planner, I don't want to inflict plants on my clients without them expressly approving them first! I always want my planting plans to be collaborative. I worked with a great client this month who actually gave me some of her Pinterest boards to look at so I could get to know her style. It was such a good way of finding out who she was and what she was into. When we met, she said she lacked confidence in her style but truly, she had excellent taste and had already done some very stylish planting and arranging. I was able to use that as a spring board for the plan and it felt like a collaborative exercise.
As I write, I'm drinking excellent coffee in The Hatch in Old Leigh, my favourite place to come and work. It's situated in an old foundry, and used to be The Lynn Tait Gallery, a brilliant gift shop. I worked in the shop from the age of 15 right up until after I finished university and I feel a great connection to the place. Just recommending it if you're looking for a great coffee and gorgeous space to either work or hang out in...
As ever, if you think I can help you with your garden / balcony / houseplants / window boxes! - email me at terralegra@gmail.com, follow me on Instagram at @terra_legra_ or on Facebook at @terralegradesign
Until next time, over and out :)
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