In search of Sid the slug ...

Put simply, I’ve taken my eye off the horticultural ball for too long since lockdown eased a little.  My love of our garden is undisputed although since it’s been acceptable to entertain al fresco, I’ve taken the garden for granted more than I should.  An integral part of our lockdown regime, my husband and I invested much time earlier this year in the garden.  We replaced the plants we’d lost during winter, “potted on” the hydrangeas into larger pots and filled other pots with fresh compost ready for replanting.  And then my husband kindly ferried bag after bag of compost (for top dressing) from the garage to the front and back gardens for redistribution.  Amazing.

Last Wednesday, we had a delicious outdoor lunch with friends on their terrace.  My girlfriend of more than 40 years is extremely stylish, a fabulous cook and has a good eye for what looks good in the garden.  This year she’s added tomatoes and green beans, in support of her usual eclectic pots and containers overflowing with brightly coloured geraniums.  A perfect shot for any lifestyle magazine.  Enjoying each other’s company (and a superb crab linguini) chatting about this and that, the conversation focused on my friend’s agapanthus.  I couldn’t compete, I’d simply no idea how many flower heads my agapanthus had delivered.  I was out of the loop without any metrics to contribute to that conversation.

Naturally, we’ve saved our garden from drought, while hoping the planting will continue to stand on its own two feet.  Watering can be challenging at times – too little and that’s the floral investment wasted, too much and the roots grow towards the surface which weakens the stature of the tree or shrub.  Clearly, pot grown specimens are a different kettle of fish altogether.  Keep the soil moist even if that means daily watering. Just like self-reflection, little and often is the name of the game.  It’s Monday and perhaps I’m becoming a little too technical for an already hot summer’s morning?

Yesterday saw much activity in our garden.  After harvesting our first crop of homegrown vine tomatoes, it was time to make amends elsewhere.  In spite of the blistering heat, the chillies needed potting on.  The sapphire blue hydrangeas were beginning to flag, although like me they were not surrendering to the heat.  Up close their colours were even more spectacular, although they somehow lacked lustre. I tidied them up and gave them a pep talk.  They’re looking more resplendent than ever today and ready to compete for centre stage in a vibrant watercolour.  Hydrangeas.  Refreshed.

I located the snail that was carefully preparing a banquet from the delphiniums and those tiny black slugs which had developed a taste for my auriculas.  Before I knew it, I was repotting the auriculas in deliciously old-fashioned little terracotta pots.  This morning they are standing to attention like proud little soldiers.  Their specimen labels upright and somehow smug in the sunshine.  And naturally, I am delighted to report that the agapanthus has yielded ten blooms to date and there are three more buds to open.

I hope that reading this has nudged you into action and reminded you to stay hydrated.  But most of all, that it spurs you on to stay in touch with the things that give you pleasure and make you who you are.  Work is important although it’s your whole self that matters.  Remember to make some time to reflect on your progress and what you’ve achieved already today, although maybe it’s simply too hot to salsa in the sunshine?  Let’s chat about how I can help you.