Tatton showmen

8 July 2011



Caption competition?!

©Sam Youd





We are on day 5 of the build of our show garden at the RHS Show site (a garden inspired by the centenary of the Japanese Garden). At the moment it feels like October with the wind whistling across the open parkland.

 

Beginning to take shape..

©Sam Youd



Having dug out the pond we’re now ready for planting but we’re really concerned about the wind burn on the tender acers if we were to put them out today. However, we need to place these large acers before we continue the planting of the rest of the garden. We’ve looked at the forecast and decided to put off the planting until tomorrow, which is just as well, because as we speak it is throwing it down with rain and may get even heavier.



Up to now build has gone really well; the weather has been reasonably kind, although, like all gardeners we’re bound to moan about the fact that the garden is really hard – due to the fact that we had a very dry spring and whatever we have had since then, has found it difficult to penetrate.



The other gardens are looking good and everyone seems to be ahead of schedule – there is a good atmosphere as most people know one another anyway. By next week, as more plants arrive, we will definitely see a constant migration of plants between one garden and another as we all swap our surplus plants!



The best way to build a garden for the show is to always have in mind that anything you do or plan to do, needs to be done early in the hour, early in the day, early in the week. No procrastination should be allowed and good logistical planning is essential! The aim should be to finish the garden as early as possible so that by the time judging takes place the garden should look settled and the plants should have started to re-grow.

 

Gardens which are finished early always attract TV/media attention as reporters and producers are always looking for finished items. In view of this, it’s extremely important to have a couple of quirky stories in hand – which act as a media carrot. I’ll keep mine to myself, for now (ie make some up later!).



Have a good show!



Sam Youd, Gardens Manager