I am writing this by the shores of Loch Muick which is on the fringe of the Balmoral Estate. (Incidentally, my offer to give the Royal Gardeners a lesson in edgeing was, rather surprisingly, turned down.) When not fighting off deer, red squirrels, midges etc I have had the opportunity to reflect on some further lessons I have learned as a volunteer gardener at Fulham Palace over the last couple of months:-
Lesson 1: Nail Varnish Remover
Did you know this was an essential bit of gardening kit? No, I didn't either. However, one very wet Wednesday a few weeks ago we were set to work in the Vinery cleaning the black plastic signs often placed beside plants. Guess what you clean them with?!
beautifully legible signage
Lesson 2: The Nursery
If you are sweeping up leaves, having a general tidy round you must ensure that this is completed before break time. My recent efforts in tidying the playground, with several piles of leaves orderly sited prior to bagging up were thwarted when the bell went for break and hordes of children immediately came out and started a new game - much to my chagrin.
Lesson 3: Circles or Squares?
Why are the beds of some trees in the shape of squares and some in circles? (All to do with root growth apparently). My suggestion that some beds could perhaps be triangular or possibly figures of eight was not overly well received.
Lesson 4: Good Bucket, Bad Bucket
When weeding, brambling etc always make sure you have two buckets with you - one for the good stuff that Chris A is happy to have in his compost and one for the bad boys, such as nettle roots and couch grass. How the latter is subsequently disposed of remains a mystery.
Lesson 5: Try and Disguise Your Ignorance
The Wednesday Team has recently been augmented by two marvellous new recruits - Alice and Mary. Their friendliness, enthusiasm and hard work are a real stimulus. However, some of their questions have been, to put it mildly, a bit tricksome. When asked what one particular tree (smothered in blossom) was, I replied it was either an apple or a quince (turned out to be a pear).
also not a pear tree
Lesson 6: Careful with that Fork, Eugene (apologies to Pink Floyd)
Whilst doing some heavy digging not long ago, I managed to break the tine off a fork. My punishment (imposed by the apprentices no less!) was to be banned from having biscuits for an entire week. Well, really!!
Lesson 7: Let's be Friends
I've recently joined the Friends of Fulham Palace - an independent charity dedicated to supporting Fulham Palace and all its works (both in the Palace itself and the garden). I know that all us hard working volunteers already invest a good deal of time and effort as it is, but for an annual subscription of £25 this seems to me like a pretty good wheeze.
Jamie Atwell