Grass cutting and the art of mowing

This week at Heale has been another scorcher and I need to take my health more seriously! I think I got a bit over done one day and am now the proud owner of a new hat for the future.

Grass cutting and edging was the theme this week and am sure it will be for many more. I learnt a lot from watching Michael, he taught me how to cut around the edge first and then get your stripes. I got to practice on the Peto Pond lawns and some of the private garden as well using a Petrol Cylinder Mower. Noisy thing and it can run away from you if you are on a hill but very effective and good to use.
Michael mowed the croquet lawn diagonally this week and it looked beautiful. His advice, start in the centre of the lawn, choose a focal point in the distance and off you go!

I also got to edge using a line and half moon edger. Great practice and my best friends one day were the grass edgers that have their own personality like a Stork or Pelican, to me! Much progress weeding and tidying in the Kitchen Garden. More Leeks to harvest and more veg going in the ground.

The Sweet peas needed attention already, choosing the strongest stem and tying in and pinching off the tendrils.

Michael introduced me to Euphorbia x pasteurii this week, flanking the doors to the house, very lush and strong right now. Next to one of the Euphorbia's was a Melianthus major in flower, a structural plant with striking foliage.

The Pelargoniums in the greenhouse need a good water daily as they are flowering now and the other Greenhouses need twice daily attention coming into growing season now.

Just as I was leaving the garden a visitor asked me a question and I could actually answer it, so very happy about that. I am hoping things go in the longer I am there.  I find it easier by my second day actually but then of course I have a break before coming again.

I have loved every second again this week, what a place to spend time! I am learning all the time and it is great to watch other Gardeners and listen to their knowledge. I have borrowed a book this week about Vita Sackville-West (Garden Book) so hope to get stuck into that and learn about her ethos and how she liked plants to self seed and not too much tidiness.