Norfolk


<p>Let&#8217;s face it, it&#8217;s been far too hot to garden lately &#8211; but now the cooler weather has arrived, we&#8217;ve got no more excuses to get the upper hand on our green patch. So, where to start? We called upon the horticultural knowhow of Alan Gray who created the glorious 32-acre garden at&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://eastrustonoldvicarage.co.uk" target="_blank">East Ruston&nbsp;Old Vicarage</a>, with its many garden rooms to explore. Let&#8217;s talk dirty.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Watering hacks</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Watering-Unsplash.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-34811" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Watering-Unsplash.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Watering-Unsplash-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Watering-Unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Watering-Unsplash-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>After the drought that was our summer, at last we have had some welcome relief in the form of precipitation to fill our water butts. Over the past month, keeping plants hydrated has been the bane of many a gardener’s life. Here at East Ruston, we use leaky pipe on some of our borders which dispenses water gently at ground level and goes straight to the roots. </p>



<p>If this is to become the new normal, what can we do? Firstly, think ahead, our wettest season is winter so by mulching our gardens in early spring whilst the soil is moist, we can help to lock in that moisture &#8211; believe me this works.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If you are suffering from a hosepipe ban, do use grey water on the garden and if necessary, prioritise the plants that are most important to you. For me it would be beans (runner, dwarf, etc.) &#8211; they all resent drought so to keep those sweet pods forming, they need water.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Get growing</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Planting.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-34813" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Planting.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Planting-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Planting-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Planting-787x525.jpg 787w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Planting out oriental vegetables such as pak choi, mizuna, mustards and bok choi will keep the salad bowl going and also provide us with greens for stir fries. For super-fast green vegetables, pop those of your choice into a microwaveable bag, season to taste and zap for a short time (remember, they should still have bite, so don’t overdo it).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Gardening2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-34815" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Gardening2.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Gardening2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Gardening2-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Gardening2-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>When we get some proper rain &#8211; and it will come &#8211; we can start thinking about planting again. It’s worth planting trees, shrubs and perennials in autumn when the soil is still warm. Provided they have sufficient moisture, new roots will form although you will see little top growth, however remember that irrigation is the key to success. And don’t forget to mulch any new plantings in early spring with your choice of material. This could be garden compost (if you are keen make your own), spent mushroom compost, a soil conditioner such as Plantgro that is made in Norfolk, or whatever you can buy at the garden centre.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Plan ahead</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Bulbs-tulips5.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-34816" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Bulbs-tulips5.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Bulbs-tulips5-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Bulbs-tulips5-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Bulbs-tulips5-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Planning for next year is important. Buy bulbs for spring such as narcissus and crocus now before garden centres run out. Basically, it is those that bloom first that should be planted first. Bulbs such as tulips can wait until late November or even later if the bulbs remain in good condition. You can often find a few bargains by buying tulip bulbs in December (check that the bulbs are firm by giving them a gentle squeeze and make sure they are clean with no sign of mould).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Sewing seeds</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Seeds.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-34817" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Seeds.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Seeds-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Seeds-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Seeds-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Make lists of seed that you wish to grow next year and get your orders in before there are shortages. Growing from seed is economic, however remember that quantity should be considered too. One courgette plant is sufficient to feed four people. My tip would be to sow little and often, especially for legumes and salad crops, as this helps to prevent a glut and waste.</p>



<p>When clearing ground in the garden in autumn riffle the ground to make a seed bed and sow hardy annuals such as Clarkia, cornflowers, Love-in-a-Mist, larkspur, Ammi majus, Briza, calendula, Cerinthe and clary, all of which are good for picking. You can sow them separately or mix ‘em up for a jolly, happy effect. Sown now, these will stand the winter and come into flower in April next year; the same seed sown in spring will bloom later, from June onwards.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Tidy up time</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Secateurs.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-34818" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Secateurs.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Secateurs-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Secateurs-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/Secateurs-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Dead-head plants where their flowers have faded and, if their foliage has withered, cut their stems down to ground level and compost. Hedges that have not been cut should be dealt with as soon as possible. If you can, make a compost heap: this can be done quite cheaply by getting some old pallets and screwing or even tying them together. Pile them full of garden waste including a sprinkling of lawn clippings, kitchen waste and autumn leaves which I suspect may start falling earlier than normal this year.</p>



<p>Meanwhile, keep tidying! Do what you have time for, but prioritise path and lawn edges &#8211; remember, if your door knocker is bright and shiny, visitors won’t notice the dog hairs on the carpet!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1500" src="https://norfolk.muddystilettos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/East-Ruston-Old-Vicarage.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-34901" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/East-Ruston-Old-Vicarage.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/East-Ruston-Old-Vicarage-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/East-Ruston-Old-Vicarage-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/East-Ruston-Old-Vicarage-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/norfolk/wp-content/uploads/sites/12/2022/08/East-Ruston-Old-Vicarage-350x525.jpg 350w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://eastrustonoldvicarage.co.uk" target="_blank">East Ruston Old Vicarage</a> (including the Exotic Garden, above) is open on Wednesday to Sunday, until the end of October. </p>



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5 essential jobs to do in your early autumn garden

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