The Gardens in August

Our dry summer continues month after month; the last decent rain fell on the gardens in February and since then hardly any at all. Irrigation takes place only in selected areas of the gardens: on the lawns immediately surrounding West Dean College; the bedding and adjoining lawns; and weekly in the walled gardens.

Normally we can rely on a rain water source for the glasshouses but two of our subterranean tanks are now empty. The River Lavant, a winterbourne, is dry now too which is a naturally occurring process. Some years it dries up for only a short period but this year it might be much longer due to the lack of rain.

Current ongoing work in the gardens includes: continuous dead heading on the borders and tying in the climbers on the front of the house and pergola; pruning and shaping some of the ever greens; picking over displays in the glasshouses; potting on; continuous vegetable seed sowing; planting and harvesting; weeding; watering; pruning; tending the beds throughout the gardens; and of course mowing and strimming.

Crops are regularly harvested in the vegetable cold frame in the walled garden to make way for new plantings and sowings. It’s useful to see the varieties that are being either sown or planted now so that you can copy ideas for your own garden. In the kitchen garden crops such as garlic, lettuce and parsley trials have made way for new plantings of pumpkins and winter squashes, sweet peppers, spring onions and lettuce, and the potatoes have been lifted to make way for the leeks and endive crops. It’s always worth a visit as the scene is changing all the time.

In August all the mixed borders in the gardens come into full flower and they’re a mass of scent and colour for you to enjoy whilst strolling around the gardens. The borders are located within the walled gardens, along the side of the pergola and in front of the house so you can take them all in on your way around the gardens. Don’t forget to have a look the bedding at the western end of the West Dean House as well, which is in full flower.

St Roche’s Arboretum is definitely worth a visit as there are stunning views from the top of the Downs along the Lavant Valley. Allow about an hour for a steady paced walk around the circuit walk, which starts in front of the college and finishes by returning to the Gardens Shop. This really is a wonderfully tranquil place to visit.

There are plenty of plants for sale next to the shop for you to choose for your own garden so make sure you check them out before you leave. They arrive weekly, generally on a Thursday or Friday, so keep your eye out for new introductions.

Of course no visit to West Dean is complete without popping into the Gardens Restaurant – a welcoming and warm haven – and a great place to meet friends for lunch or morning/afternoon tea.

If you’re looking for a lasting gift for a friend or family member, then why not make them a Friend of West Dean. There is so much enjoyment in seeing a garden change through the seasons, plus all the other benefits of being a Friend. Speak to the garden shop staff for more details or visit www.westdean.org.uk