Explore
a new selection of gardens in the Marlborough area for ideas and inspiration.
The gardens your tutor has chosen to view are all privately owned and, in most
cases, you will have the opportunity to meet with the owners to discover their
thoughts behind the planting and design scheme first-hand. You will discuss
their choice of plants in relation to the soil type and growing conditions as
well as aspects of the design that have worked well. The gardens display a
range of styles ensuring there is bound to be at least one that will appeal and
provide inspiration for your own plot.
Are
you looking for ideas and inspiration for your own garden? Whether you have
just moved to a new house and need to tackle the garden or just feel your
garden could do with some additional features, then visiting other gardens is
often a good way to get ideas.
We
will visit a new selection of private gardens around the Marlborough area
meeting the owners and gardeners and learning from their successes and
failures.
Even
if you aren't planning a project in your own garden you can enjoy spending the
mornings in the company of fellow gardeners and garden lovers in the gardens I
have chosen that range from a well established country garden to a newly
created garden planted in a modern and exciting style.
The
soil in the Vale of Pewsey is a fertile greensand, although it does dry out in
a hot summer. The soil on the chalk downland is more challenging for gardeners,
being thin stoney clay over the very free draining chalk. We will find out how
the gardeners cope with these challenges and many more.
As
usual, we hope for good weather during the course, but come prepared for all
eventualities as we visit the gardens come rain or shine. In some of the gardens there may be steep or
slippery paths and steps and wilder areas, so please come with good footwear.
There
will be time to sit and enjoy the gardens, chat, take notes and photographs and
discuss your own garden ideas and problems.
I
hope you can join me this summer.
Patricia Rowell
BSc MPhil
About Patricia
Patricia was born and brought up in Canterbury by parents who were keen
gardeners. One of her first gardening memories is driving off with her mother
in her original mini in search of plants recommended by Percy Thrower on the
early days of 'Gardener's World'!
After studying Agricultural Botany at Reading University she then
worked on a research degree in Plant Pathology at London University's Wye
College.
This led to research jobs on various horticultural crops, from lettuce
to beans including a few years in Canada trying to control blight on onions.
Patricia married a fellow plant pathologist and they returned to
England and settled in Wiltshire where she ran a business growing and selling
dried flowers while she renovated their derelict cottage and garden and had
three children. She was fortunate to get offered the job of gardening
correspondent for the local paper, this opened lots of doors including looking
after the Master's garden at the College for 14 years and teaching at Wiltshire
Adult Education College.
Patricia now enjoys running a garden design and advice business as well
as teaching at Summer School and organising her own courses and workshops on
gardening subjects.
