I always look forward to the annual Fothergill's Press Day, I never assume I will get an invitation and I admit to slight anxiety waiting to see if I will be invited again; so imagine how delighted I was when the invitation came through this year.
It's been a busy year with few gardening day out treats, but this day I was not going to miss. I'm not under any obligation to write about the day, but it was such a great day why would I not. It is always a day when I find I am focussing in on the detail of individual plants,
and standing back and enjoying the tapestry of colour in front of me. A tapestry of over 1700 plants.
It is a trial field so plants have to pretty much fend for themselves; so the struggles we have had as gardeners this year, have been the same struggles for these plants. They also trial different mixes to check not only if they grow well, but which ones have the best mix of colours. So the lines of cornflowers above are theoretically all the same mix, but you can see the differences with some being more pink dominated, some more blue and some a good mix.
I paused in front of the Ipomea and wondered and regretted why I had not sown any this year. Sigh. Next year.
Look at this fabulous grass - Melinis Silver Queen, I need this grass.
and this is Melinis Karoo Queen, I need this too.
This is Trachelium Black Knight, not a plant I know but I am determined I will. I think it is fab.
Look at the garnet tassels on this sweetcorn! Isn't it a great colour. Sadly I did not catch the name, but apparently this variety is perfect for making popcorn. I think I would grow it for the tassels alone.... no, that's not true, I have a real weakness for sweet and salty popcorn mix.
I always learn a lot whilst I am at the trial field. I learned about courgettes bred especially to grill well and 'burger' lettuce, a lettuce that is developed to not be so wilty on hot food.
One of the key parts of the day is always finding out what is new at Fothergills. Of course one of the obvious things is that they have dropped the 'Mr' and the logo has had a refresh. Their ethos is 'Helping Everyone Grow', which is a fine objective to have. They aim to serve their current customers and also help encourage new people to start growing. One of the ways they are looking to do this is through targeting customers through their three main brands: Fothergills, Johnson's and DT Brown. They all have a distinct brand identity.
The new DT Brown seed packets are something a bit special. On the front they show you the product, in this packet is it Cauliflower Romanesco Precoce; and you can also see on the packet a bit of how to cook it inspiration. So if you're like me and you look at the different types of veg and feel excited about growing it but have not a clue how to cook it/what to do with it, well these packets give an idea of how exciting they can be.
and on the back you get a QR code that takes you to more information on how to grow. What a great idea this is.
We were so lucky as the sun shone for us, but not too hot. So we could wander around enjoying the day and inspecting the plants.
I love seeing the displays and picking up tips. Apparently pigeons seem to ignore purple sprouting veg. They go for the green shoots but not the purple.
and I have been thinking I am too late to be planting peas and beans now, but they have just been sowing some late ones here so now I feel I can do the same.
Now I will be looking through the catalogues and waiting for the new varieties to be available to buy. This year I have had a rubbish gardening year with virtually no seed sowing. Next year I will try harder. No
actually, I need to listen to Yoda - "do or not do, there is no try" I shall do!
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