We had a fabulously sunny morning to start our bulb planting day on Tuesday. Despite the prospect of 5000 bulbs needing to be planted (!), Steve and Elaine Hackett from Hereford joined us for the day and Gemma and Gail kindly volunteered their time to help as well. We planted several varieties of daffodil around the apple trees by the tennis lawn and within the walled garden. We have also put a drift of crocuses around the silver birch tree by the box hedges, and Steve and Dave have finished planting up the new white border with bulbs for the Spring.
We also planted daffodils and tulips in trenches above the vegetable plot for cut flowers next year for the dining tables.
It was a lovely autumn day and really nice to have good company as we planted all these marvellous little promises of Spring colour. After making and filling hundreds of holes, we ate a welcome hot lunch outdoors under the pear trees in our wellies, and then in the afternoon made hearty inroads into a wonderful coffee and walnut cake Elaine had brought us, with our cups of tea. Perfect!
Steve now “just” has the area under the copper beech to plant with daffodils. He was still making holes as dusk fell last night and Mel came to get him to join the welcome talk for the new group arriving! Bye the bye, there was a rather striking sunset last night too:
More soon!
Mel & Steve
Poulstone Court Retreat Centre
