What with Santa and the Reindeer turning up last Saturday, and all the festive snow and ice this week, the Harlow Carr garden has taken on a magical glow of Christmas!

We have taken advantage of our heated glasshouse to catch up with our propagation work, picking over and removing all rotting leaves and debris on our potted specimens, hygiene is so important to get them safely through the winter period.  We had some pricking out to do on some digitalis seedlings; our volunteers looked very relieved when we said they could prick them out into little clumps as the seedlings were very tiny! Some leaf clearing off our lawned areas, mainly the oaks left to relieve themselves of their burden….our leaf bins are full to overflowing now, ready for some useful leaf mould which we use as a valuable soil conditioner, next year.

All the gardens staff were waiting with bated breath for the snowfall forecasted on Thursday…how much would fall and how long would it take some gardeners who live as far away as Darlington and Castleford to get in? Darlington didn’t make it, neither did those living 11 miles away…I couldn’t get my car out of my parking space in Ripon! The garden was closed to the public; the snowfall was up to 4ins, with mini snowdrifts in some places. Those staff who has battled to get in on foot, did some housekeeping tasks, then the rest of the day was there own – snowmen and taking photos was the order of the day. I have included some shots of the winter wonderland in the garden, what a shame it just melts into a nasty slushy mess.

Today, the aftermath, meant lots of snow clearing on the pedestrian paths, a few snowball fights, and some welcome Bettys cakes (the robin was hiding in the hedge waiting for the crumbs!) and tea this morning…….working outside has it’s benefits!

Sarah Bell

Team leader – Gardens West