Garden timber
Another day spent at the new Gardeners' World garden, Greenacre. (Note to self - always take a spare pair of boots, some clean shoes and a spare pair of socks for mud-free travel home!) I love going there because it gives me a real adrenalin rush. The atmosphere is a heady mix of panic - will we finish getting it ready for filming in time? - and the energy that comes from doing something completely new for the programme. One of my favourite things has been pulling together lots of reclaimed timber for the site - you'll see it on the show in the shape of doors, windows and shelves. The other day I got some 'ware' boards, once used in our vanishing pottery industry to carry plates between the kiln and the potter's wheel. They're made of yellow pine harvested from a cluster of North American pinus species that are native to the south-eastern corner of the United States. Although a softwood, yellow pine is one of the strongest and most durable timbers you can get. It doesn't twist so it's ideal for staircases and shelves in greenhouses and potting sheds. (I made the apple press from it - see blog a few weeks ago.) When you hold the boards in your hand it's amazing to think of all those skilled craftsmen and women handling them. And even more thrilling to think of all the plant-craft they'll be involved in at Greenacre soon...
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Toby
Great to here about the new site and glad you are getting mucky, also really looking forward to more Veggies about time the BBC recognised the fact! Look forward to April and hoping we get plenty of TV on what is happening now, not just a gloss over!
Dale
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Furthermore, could there be a webcam so we can follow what is happening...
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Has Alys Fowler been given her cards?
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Great programme watched it for years. Could the potting shed not have had a flat roof with a slight gradient to accomodate a green and living roof? Also the ways and means to achieve this? Alternatively a future item?
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Hello Toby,
Even in Belgium people are very pleased with your excellent program.
Do keep up the good work.
I have one question about the greenhouse (potting shed) at Greenacre.
I would like to now from what wood it is made of and does it need treatment?
Nicolas
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Hi Toby,
My wife and I had a great day at the show at Birmingham (Sat)and I had a chance to speak up at your talk on apples/gooseberrys. You mentioned the fact that the main predator on these was the gooseberry saw fly. I was very pleased to think to myself that I had checked all my soft fruits(Rasps Strawbs Goosps and Currants)before I left on Frid afternoon. Imagine my horror when I went out on Sun morning to find the Goosps half stripped by the little dark green swines!
It was really good to meet some of the team. We had our picture taken with Carol Klien and I managed to get a cracking pic of Nick Hamilton. Sadly one day was not enough and I think next year, we will make a weekend of it.
G.Man
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