This week in the garden
Post categories: experimental gardening,Ìýnews,Ìýponds and water gardening,Ìýtemperature,Ìýtrees,Ìýwildlife gardening,Ìýwinter colour,Ìýwinter protection
| 08:11 UK time, Saturday, 27 November 2010
In the news....
Well, even by November standards we've certainly had some weather this week. Gardens in Scotland and Northumberland are under two feet of the white stuff after the earliest heavy snowfall since 1993 caused widespread disruption. Most public gardens had already closed for the winter, but , has been forced to shut its gates to visitors, and has also called a temporary halt to free weekend openings in its main gardens – though they say the Secret Woodland, complete with Santa Claus, will open come what may next week.
Ladybirds and hedgehogs may shun our well-meaning attempts to help them through winter, but barn owls don't seem so fussy: in fact man-made nest boxes are now . Three-quarters of all barn owls now nest in artificial boxes as traditional sites such as barns and haystacks disappear. Gardeners are also the last refuge for bumblebees, too: a recent study tracking bees through DNA marking found gardens are a 'stronghold', whereas farmland was 'impoverished' by comparison.
Elsewhere on the web...
First-hand tales of the cold snap: has been taking photos of her frost-kissed garden, garden pond guru Jeremy Biggs has some advice on, and pity the poor souls trying to get tropical gardens through this weather: Will Giles, whose exotic garden in Norwich is much admired, .
We're mourning the end of Autumnwatch for another season: the last programme was on Thursday. To keep us going till next year there are some spectacular photos sent in by the audience: there are coy bluetits hiding in hedges, a starling's teaparty and a slug that looks almost beautiful.
Out and about...
Happy National Tree Week! Gardens around the country are celebrating their graceful giants all week long. are giving away free trees this weekend – 2,000 saplings are up for grabs – or choose from four guided tree trails at , near Barnsley in Yorkshire. And for a truly magical experience visit the hugely popular , in West London, lit up with over 1000 lights after dark this weekend and next.
It's not all twigs and branches out there: garden writer is talking about snowdrops at on Tuesday, with anecdotes and tips on the best varieties to grow. And in East Sussex hold their much-anticipated Christmas Fair this weekend so get along for a last bit of Christmas shopping in the setting of one of the country's most beautiful gardens.
Sally Nex is a garden writer and blogger and part of the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Gardening team.
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