16 Comments

This is lovely 🙏 At this time of year, when the sun shines, it definitely feels like summer to me. The garden is desperately dry though, we we’re already saving the water from washing salad etc. Next week looks like it’s getting quite warm 🥵☀️

Expand full comment
author

I know it is pretty dry isn’t it? I’m trying just to give things a good soak a couple of times a week but being very mindful we may face hosepipe bans later this year.

Expand full comment

What a great article! Your love for gardens just pours off the page. So true about taking time for you amongst all the mothering too!

Expand full comment
author

Ah thanks Sarah. Yep, I’m pretty obsessed with gardens ☺️

Expand full comment

Wallington is so so good isn’t it!

Expand full comment

Wallington is on my list of places to visit this summer. We used to go fairly regularly (it's about 40 minutes or so away) but I haven't been for years. I'm intrigued to see the formal garden that they've left to grow! 😊

I find watering relaxing too - I need a proper fitting for the hose pipe like yours though! 😊

Expand full comment
author

It’s definitely worth a look around. They’ve created a wellbeing wood, although we didn’t manage to find it (turns out we we just around the corner and then turned back). I’ll have to try again next time.

Expand full comment

Ahh it’s been years since I’ve been to Wallington! Lovely piece and invitation Claire.

I totally connect to this sentiment of appreciation in our own outdoor spaces - we often go to Howick Gardens - REALLY worth a trip if you’ve not been?!

And when we come home we’re surrounded by inspiration some of which we plugged in by just sitting in their sensory garden through the seasons and observing how it changes. We’ve even employed their gardener for our Soil Web project. We have 10 hours to spend with her and I’m so so excited! ✨🪄✨ 🪱

Expand full comment
author

Oh that’s so exciting. I can’t wait to see how this all develops for you.

Expand full comment
Jun 4, 2023Liked by Claire Gardner

Oh yes, I love that quote, the best garden is the one you have. And like you: I adore the watering. It’s always a nice end to the day.

Expand full comment
author

It’s just nice and relaxing isn’t it ☺️

Expand full comment

Yes, summer is here. June feels like summer. I do enjoy watering too. I love the smell of wet plants and earth after a long hot day. The whole thing is so grounding.

Expand full comment
author

Oh yes that smell. I recently discovered the word petrichor, have you heard it? It’s that smell of damp earth when it rains after a dry spell.

Expand full comment

Yes, I've heard of that phenomena. Yum!

Expand full comment

It’s quite dangerous to declare summer in Britain. That’s usually the sign that the weather will deteriorate! It’s fair to say, though, that we have had exceptional fair weather during May, and it’s still going on.

Expand full comment
author

Haha this is indeed very true! My son’s birthday is at the weekend and it’s almost always raining so watch this space 😫

Expand full comment