Digging Deep is a new monthly account of life in the garden, as written by Trebah's gardeners
It’s all change at Trebah as October brings the first signs of autumn and summer quickly fades away - although was it ever here?
The cooler weather brings lush autumn colour, lost leaves and plenty of storms but the garden remains beautiful in its own unique way.
Us gardeners have been busy tidying and preparing the garden ready to be tucked up for winter so it can once again emerge healthy and full in spring.
Voyage to Gunnera Island
October tends to be the beginning of the annual gunnera chop here at Trebah, with those on the Mallard Pond island usually going first.
The changing of seasons from summer to autumn tends to bring with it stronger winds which roll off the sea and sometimes up through our sheltered little valley. The gunnera on the island acts as a first line of defence to protect its family further up in the passage, sadly meaning it is first to fall to the mighty easterlies and first to be cut down by us gardeners.
As you can imagine, reaching the gunnera with our machetes is not an easy task. Two gardeners load up tools and launch a little aluminium boat across Mallard Pond, mooring up on the island. Carefully we spend about an hour slicing down the already wind blown stems, tucking in the crowns under huge leaves to rest until the spring. We do the perimeter of the island from the boat which can be tricky but so far we have avoided a swim!
Sorbus by the sea
If you are a regular visitor to Trebah you might have spotted some new planting just below Healey’s Hill. Last week we planted 9 various Sorbus trees to create a lovely pocket of future autumn colour. We have been careful to keep the sweeping views down to the beach from Petry’s Path, giving this area some added interest. The berries that show up during late summer turn this tree from humble to glorious, whilst also making a fabulous feast for the wildlife.
We have used strong stakes facing into the harsh easterly winds to offer some protection against what could be quite difficult growing conditions; luckily Sorbus are more tolerant of salt winds and exposure than many alternative ideas and so hopefully they take to their new home and reward us with a haze of colour next year.
Out with the old
You may have seen us in the Bamboozle recently cutting down giant canes of Phyllostachys edulus and P. bambusoides. Don’t worry! We are only removing dead and unhealthy canes to make room for bigger and better shoots in the spring. Each huge cane is hand sawn with a pruning saw and then carefully extracted from the clump. Some are exceptionally long making them a little hard to transport so are often cut down to a more manageable size.
A new view
We’ve been hard at work down the Caroniche creating a new little viewpoint across the beach and out over the estuary. Straggly self-set sycamores have been cut down and big Eleagnus shrubs have been topped to show off the striking blues of the Helford River between the existing oaks and pines.
This relatively quiet and more secluded area of the garden deserves a look!
Close encounters with Barry
If you come to the garden during quieter times you may have spotted Barry.
He’s the local buzzard (well we think he’s a he), that hangs around Trebah, thoughtfully named by one of our garden volunteers.
He has become quite trusting of the gardeners and all too often can be seen nearby watching whilst we work.
Recently when we were planting, we were honoured with a very close encounter as he swooped down landing just metres away. It is quite amazing to see a bird of prey up close in their natural habitat going about their day, and although he is spending more time close by, the experience never gets old.
Barry can be quite the poser but if you happen to see him in the garden, please be respectful and don’t approach; we are all enjoying his home after all!
October wildlife sightings:
- Buzzard
- Toads
- Kingfisher
- Cormorants
- Fox
A toad found in the garden
