The Exeter Daily - gardens

Killerton Gardens in full bloom

News Desk — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 21:40:52 +0000

Visitors are invited to take a leisurely stroll through the glorious garden of Killerton this summer, taking in the sights and scents of the terrace garden now it's in bloom.

Karl Emeleus, Head Gardener at Killerton said: "Midsummer is a great time to visit as the mixed borders are full of colour.

"There is also plenty to see elsewhere in the garden, including Cornus ‘Norman Hadden’, one of my favourite small trees that is growing near the Lady Cott.

"It has glorious white bracts that mature to pink, which are followed by strawberry-like fruits in autumn."

For more information and opening times visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/killerton

Hospiscare Open Gardens 2024

AliceHospiscare — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 10:26:24 +0000

Visit Open Gardens to support your local Hospice From March until September, gardeners across Devon will be opening their gates to the community and welcoming the public to explore their green spaces in return for a donation to local hospice charity, Hospiscare.

Over 58 gardens will be participating in the annual fundraising event, including wild gardens, cottage gardens, a newly planted school peace and vegetable garden, a honey farm, and an award-winning Victorian Fern Garden.

There will also be an opportunity to seek gardening advice, share tips and enjoy refreshments at selected gardens, including hot drinks, homemade cakes, and afternoon tea.

To find your nearest open garden, visit www.hospiscare.co.uk/gardens or collect a booklet from your nearest Hospiscare Charity Shop.

Image

Event Date

Saturday, April 20, 2024 - 1:00pm to Saturday, September 7, 2024 - 3:30pm

Venue

Various Devon Locations

The garden is most popular renovation space for South West homeowners

News Desk — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 22:04:54 +0000

Following a survey indicating that an increased number of people chose to carry out renovations in their homes in 2022, with outdoor areas being the most popular for spend in the South West, RGB Building Supplies is giving advice on budget-friendly improvements people can make in their gardens this spring.

The research, carried out by consumer spending experts at money.co.uk for its annual Renovation Nation Report1, found that from the 2,000 people surveyed, just over 88% indicated they had spent money on home renovations within the previous 12 months. This is an increase of 14% on those surveyed in 2021.

Paul West, branch manager at RGB Exeter, commented: “Perhaps due to the amount of time we all spent in our homes over the past three years, the garden came high on the list of areas where most people had spent money, and was the top priority for South West homeowners in the 2021 and 2022 reports.

“To make the most of an outside space, it should be ready to be enjoyed as soon as the weather turns. Therefore, completing work sooner rather than later is the best way to ensure this happens, even if the current climate doesn’t give much inspiration. A garden doesn’t always need to have the perfect lawn as there are many different landscaping options available, and we hope our advice helps people make the right choice for their garden.”

Tackle the fencing

One of the easiest ways to instantly transform a garden is by showing some love to already installed fencing. Whether that’s repairing and replacing damaged panels or giving it a new coat of treatment of fence paint. As exterior paint is now available in all colours of the rainbow, it’s also an easy way to add colour to a garden.

Make a quick change with aggregates

For a quick and simple fix, decorative aggregates are extremely easy to lay. They can be used on flower beds, pathways and seating areas. Aggregates come in a vast array of different colours, materials and shapes so can give a striking look to a small garden or courtyard.

Build raised garden beds

Raised garden beds are ideal for all sizes of outdoor areas. For fully paved courtyard gardens, they create a space to grow plants, vegetables, herbs and flowers, and for larger areas, they can be used to define spaces. Raised beds can easily be created using timber sleepers or decking boards.

Work on the lawn

A lawn is a favourite garden feature and by using grass seed, it can be relatively inexpensive to create – although patience is needed as it can take a few months to grow. Using turf rolls is quicker but can be more expensive. Alternatively, the quality of artificial grass has improved since it first started to be used for domestic properties, and it can now be difficult to tell it apart from the real thing. As it is easy to lay and doesn’t need watering or regularly mowing, an artificial lawn has become the choice for those with small outdoor areas or rooftop gardens.

Upgrade decking

A decked area continues to be a popular choice for gardens, and whilst it may not be the cheapest option, replacing wooden decking with composite boards is cost-effective. Unlike traditional wood, most composite boards have a structural layer of protection meaning they are extremely durable and never need sanding, staining or sealing. Composite decking can last anywhere between 10 and 30 years.

Paul West added: “Our branch team is highly knowledgeable and happy to give advice to people about what options would work in their gardens. Additionally, as there are some great landscaping offers around at the moment – and we have promotions launching in the next couple of weeks – getting to work now can really help those who are on a budget.”

Kickstart spring at Toby's Garden Festival

Exeter News Blog — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 18:03:37 +0000

Now in its 9th year, Toby’s Garden Festival, hosted by BBC gardener Toby Buckland, is an unmissable two days for gardeners and foodies, with over 160 exhibitors, including award-winning Chelsea Flower Show plant nurseries, plus art and craft, garden furniture, outdoor kitchens and buildings.

New for 2023 is the Food Drink Devon Market showcasing local producers, with talks and tastings on wine, cider, cheese and more, hosted by The Daily Telegraph’s wine guru, Susy Atkins, and food writer Mark Diacono of Otter Farm. Festival sponsor Wickham’s will be offering free wine tastings, with a chance to try and buy a range of wine from vineyards in Devon, England and beyond.

BBC Gardener’s World garden designer, Joe Swift will be sharing his tips on getting the most from your garden in the Speaker’s Marquee. It’s one of three talks programs, where you can hear talks and demos on a range of topics, including flower farming, keeping chickens, planting a wildflower meadow and growing organic fruit and veggies.

Other attractions include stone balancing, book signings, outdoor kitchen tastings, tree climbing, stilt walkers, a miniature steam railway, heritage wood crafts and animals, including alpaca and chickens. Plus, you can make your own flower crown to wear at the fest with help from the British Academy of Flower Arts.

Head to Feast Street to grab a bite from one of 15 curated local street food producers and enjoy lunch sitting in the sunshine by the Castle lake while listening to live music from talented local musicians.

Visit in style at the VIP Experience, sponsored by Hawksmoor Investment Management, which grants all-day access to the 14th century castle’s stunning Music Room (as featured in Remains of the Day) with morning coffee and cake, a buffet lunch and afternoon tea, with a glass of fizz.

Fri 28 - Sat 29 April, advance tickets £13.50 from www.tobygardenfest.co.uk (children under 16 free except VIP tickets); dogs on leads welcome.

Devon Couple Hop To It for Gardening Extravaganza

Exeter News Blog — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 20:16:05 +0000

The fur will be flying, in a good way, at one of Devon’s most-loved gardening events.

The Secret Gardens of Topsham, being held on June 11th, is a hugely popular event with residents and also draws hundreds of people to the town, taking advantage of a rare opportunity to see a wide range of hidden gem gardens.

These are usually private but their owners have agreed to throw open their doors to visitors for just five hours.

Nell and Marcus Parry’s walled garden in the centre of town is completely invisible to passers-by but will be one of 12 on display this year. Visitors will also enjoy a floppy-eared surprise in the form of the family’s rabbits, Valerie and Dom, who will be in the garden throughout the day.

“There will be a bag of herbs for anyone who would like to feed them and I’m very happy to give people advice on how to keep rabbits - it’s not as easy as it looks” explains Nell.

The couple have worked on the garden for the past four years, transforming it from hard standing and overgrown shrubs to become a wildlife-friendly haven with a pond and carefully selected frog- and rabbit-friendly plants.

The Parrys’ garden will be one of the smallest in the event which will also include substantial displays in several of the town’s most historic houses.

The Secret Gardens of Topsham on June 11th is the first of its kind for five years. It is usually staged on alternate years but was interrupted by the pandemic.

“It is a wonderful day for garden lovers of course, but it’s also a lovely event for the entire family who can explore the hidden paths and waterside walks of Topsham” explains Rachel Nichols, who is leading this year’s event as president of Topsham Museum, and who was one of the organisers of the very first Secret Gardens day back in 2004.

“Like all of our Museum activities, this event is undertaken entirely by volunteers who have been planning it since last year, not to mention the owners who all take huge pride in displaying their beautiful plants and gardens” she continues.

In addition to seeing the gardens themselves, green-fingered visitors can enjoy a specialist plant stall at the Museum’s waterside garden - including selections from some of the Secret Gardens themselves - and tea and delicious home made cakes at two lovely gardens along the route.

All proceeds from the event go towards running Topsham Museum which has its main building in one of the 17th century houses on Strand, close to the Exe.

Topsham Museum has a popular and frequently-updated website and virtual tour, plus an online shop. The Museum additionally has displays in a red telephone box in the town, serving as a year-round outpost and attraction.

Secret Gardens of Topsham:

Sunday, June 11 2023, noon until 6pm.

Entrance by programme (£8) will be available to order online via Topsham Museum e-shop. Programmes will be available in person from May 8th from the Museum itself, the Topsham Bookshop, or the Wilkinson Grant estate agency branch in the town.

Parking available at Topsham Rugby Club and in the town’s public car parks.

Fall into autumn with the National Trust in Devon

Mary Youlden — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 20:42:46 +0000

Across Devon, National Trust places are full of warmth as the trees slowly turn to red, orange and gold, enjoy crisp walks with family and friends and steaming cups of hot chocolate. There’s lots on offer this season, from garden tours and fashion exhibitions to exploring history and showcasing nature.

What’s more, every time you experience a National Trust day out, you help care for these special places for future generations

Buckland Abbey

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey

Garden Tours

Fri 2, Fri 9 and Fri 16 Sep. 2 - 3pm.

Would you like to find out more about what's growing around Buckland Abbey? Our Senior Gardener is hosting tours around our garden to give you an insight as to what is growing and what's to come. You'll have the chance to chat to our gardener for tips and tricks to take home with you to help you to maintain your own garden.

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.

History of the Abbey through its art

Every Mon in Sep and Oct. 2 - 3.30pm.

Each Monday at 2pm you can come and discover the history of Buckland Abbey told through its artwork. The tour will last approximately 1.5 hours. This tour will take place on most Mondays but please check the website to see if the tour is scheduled to be on for the specific date you are interested in attending.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.

Nature Showcase in The Nave

Daily. 11am - 4pm.

In this Nature Showcase, you can discover the plants and animals living on the Buckland Abbey estate and explore the Abbey's estate through its many habitats, moving out from the gardens into the orchards, past the ponds, through the meadow and out to the woodland. Comparing the history of human activity in these places with the actions of the team here today.

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.

Castle Drogo

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-drogo

Hydro Open Day

Sun 11 Sep, 11am-3pm

Come and learn about how hydro power has been used at Castle Drogo from 1929 to the present day. Guides will be opening the Hydro for visitors to come and look inside. To get to the Hydro from the Castle Drogo car park please follow the Hunters path down to the Iron Bridge, cross over onto the Foresters track and follow the path towards Fingle Bridge. Alternatively you can access the Hydro from Fingle Bridge by following the Foresters track for around 40 minutes.

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply if you wish to visit the Castle and Gardens). Booking not required.

Killerton

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton

Active Minds and Busy Bodies Exhibition

Daily. 11am – 3.30pm

This year the fashion exhibition explores how fashion has changed and adapted over time as the activities enjoyed on the country estate spread out into wider society.

Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.

Ranger Walks: The flying mammals of Killerton

Thu 8 Sep. 8.30pm-10.30pm

Join Killerton rangers and Devon Bat Group specialist, Sarah Butcher, on a walk around Killerton grounds to discover the amazing world of bats. Learn why Killerton is so good for them and what species call this place home.

Price: Adult £7 / Child £5. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.

Clyston Mill

Every Fri and Sat until 24 Sep. 1 - 4pm

Visit this historic mill, located in the centre of Broadclyst Village. Step back in time to discover how the mill harnessed the power of water to grind the farmer's grain.

Price: Free. Booking not required.

Ranger Walks: Ancient Trees of Killerton

Sun 9 Oct. 9.30-11.30am

Join Area Ranger, Fiona Hailstone, as she guides you to discover some of the 1500 ancient trees on the Killerton Estate. Find out why they are so significant for nature and what we are doing to protect them for the future.

Price: Adult £7 / Child £5. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.

The Exeter Daily - gardens

Killerton Gardens in full bloom

Hospiscare Open Gardens 2024

Tags

Image

Event Date

Category

Venue

The garden is most popular renovation space for South West homeowners

Kickstart spring at Toby's Garden Festival

Devon Couple Hop To It for Gardening Extravaganza

Fall into autumn with the National Trust in Devon

Buckland Abbey

Castle Drogo

Killerton