Welcome to the Spring edition of Tales From The Garden. My original plan last year was to post every month with updates & news from myself & the beautiful Alby Crafts & Gardens here in North Norfolk but as with much of life, things don't always go to plan! I became a lot busier than I had anticipated & unfortunately Tales From The Garden had to go on hold whilst I got on with all the weddings & gardening. This year the plan is for a quarterly blog with the occasional update every now & then should time allow!
Wild Ivy Norfolk Framed Flowers
After a really busy year of weddings in 2023 we are currently
preparing for the coming season & are now taking bookings for weddings taking place in 2024 & 2025.
As well as the dried preserved flower bouquet frames that we currently offer I've been working on a variety of new products for the upcoming season including silver clay botanical imprint jewellery, glass dome preserved bouquet displays & botanical plaster friezes. Examples & pricing for new products will be available on the website around mid April.
If you are getting married this year and would like to keep your flowers forever then do have a look on our website & get in touch. Where possible I do recommend booking in advance as I can only take a limited number of weddings each month.
Click the link above for more details & prices.
The Garden Witch Home & Garden Lifestyle Store
by Wild Ivy Norfolk
We have also now launched our new home & garden lifestyle store 'The Garden Witch' on our website. So if you can't get to us in person then you can still browse & buy all of our lovely nature inspired products from wherever you are in the country, and because we really love nature we are planting a tree for every order placed. Our online store is packed with home & garden accessories, candles, gifts, crystals & much more. Lots of unique gift ideas, seasonal items and treats for you and your home, and because it's online we can offer a larger range of products.
To celebrate this we are offering a 20% discount for Tales From The Garden subscribers until the end of May, just enter the code TFTG20 at checkout. (Only available for orders from the lifestyle shop, minimum spend £25 not including postage, not available on flower preservation orders.)
Alby Crafts & Gardens
In March we have welcomed two exciting new businesses in the Lower Courtyard, a Dog Groomer & a Silversmith specialising in sea glass jewellery, so on your next visit be sure to pop in and say hello to Beth at Brambles Parlour in Studio 7 & Georgie at Tide & Earth in Studio 11.
In the meantime, click on the links below to find out more about them.
Spring In The Gardens
British gardens, with their vibrant blooms and manicured lawns, are a national treasure. But the changing climate is throwing a curveball at our beloved plots. Increased rainfall and milder temperatures, while seemingly positive at first glance, present both opportunities and challenges for British gardeners.
Let's explore the sunshine and the showers:
Blooming Early and More Variety: Milder winters mean earlier springs. Daffodils are increasingly putting on a show before Christmas, and gardeners in the south are enjoying longer growing seasons. This opens the door to a wider variety of plants. Previously temperamental species like figs, grapes, and even palm trees are becoming more viable options, adding a touch of the exotic to British gardens.
Waterlogged Woes: Increased rainfall, however, can be a double-edged sword. While it benefits moisture-loving plants, it can also lead to waterlogged soil. This can cause root rot in some plants and make it difficult to work the land for planting and weeding. Flooding, particularly in northern regions, becomes a bigger concern with heavier downpours.
Pests and Diseases on the Rise: Warmer temperatures are a breeding ground for pests and diseases. Fungal diseases that thrive in wet weather become more prevalent, while hot, dry summers can see an increase in airborne diseases like powdery mildew. Gardeners need to adapt their practices to mitigate these threats.
Adapting and Thriving: Despite the challenges, British gardeners are a resourceful bunch. Selecting drought-resistant plants, improving drainage, and using organic pest control methods are all becoming more important practices. Water harvesting systems can help capture rainwater for drier periods.
The changing climate is undoubtedly an adjustment for British gardens. But with a bit of planning and adaptation, our green spaces can continue to thrive. By embracing new plant varieties, employing sustainable practices, and staying informed about potential threats, British gardens can remain a source of beauty and enjoyment for generations to come.
Happy Gardening!
I'll sign off with some photos of the Spring flowers that are currently blooming in the gardens here at Alby, over the next few weeks we can look forward to the blankets of daffodils continuing to emerge followed closely by bluebells & tulips which will then make way for all the bright summer blooms.
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