There’s something to be said about the chill of Autumn arriving around this time of year. Summer 2021 was a bit sporadic in terms of the warmth, but we weren’t short of heatwaves and lots of bright days. Being able to reconnect with friends and family with the sun shining upon us brought smiles to our faces here at Thorngrove. Even with the adaptions we’re making to cope with life eventually moving past the pandemic, it does feel the most ‘normal’ things have been in a long time, and the arrival of a new season brings time for reflection on those things, but also, for looking ahead!
Here at Thorngrove, planting season is underway, and Nursery Manager Mark Hoskins has his hands full! – “Autumn is probably my favourite time of year, personally and work wise, I like the autumn colours of the leaves, and it means we get to do some proper nursery work, potting up all the bare root stock, the bare root roses are due in November, and the trees shortly afterwards. Right now we also have some nice trees and shrubs with autumn berries! – including Pyracantha, Cotoneaster, Callicarpa, Symphoricarpos, so do stop by Thorngrove to see if something takes your fancy and could have a new home in your garden”.
The glasshouses team are also busy as we move into Autumn taking scented geranium cuttings for next year, and snipping flower heads of agapanthus and drying them ready to sow the seeds! September also saw the return of our Employ My Ability students, with some new arrivals too, all settling in well and continuing to be a vital part of our team here. Their work experience allows them to get involved in all aspects of running the garden centre and café, so it’s great to see them all getting stuck in after the summer break.
The new season may mean we’re saying goodbye to summer, but the freshness of Autumn is another new beginning, and we’re excited to continue planting and then look ahead as we start getting festive…yes, it’ll be here before you know it!
Kelsi-Dean Buck
Marketing Executive
Employ My Ability
The Walled Garden, Moreton, Dorset. DT2 8RH – 01929 405685
Thorngrove Garden Centre, Common Mead Lane, Gillingham, Dorset. SP8 4RE – 01747 822242
