Only five weeks to go!

After a delightful week away in the Lakes I sat down back at my desk and counted the weeks to the start of the build at Tatton – only five! The butterflies kick in every time I think about it. The show actually doesn’t open to the public until Thursday 25^th July but the key date for Matt the landscaper is Sunday 7^th July, when he can go on site and set out the garden  - basically, he will draw it all out – no digging or building can start until the Monday.

Matt and I are meeting up at Tatton next Friday with Kris Hulewicz, the Show Manager, to take a look at the position of our show garden. We’re hoping for a relatively flat area so that we don’t have to try and compensate for too much of a slope. A slope wouldn’t be very conducive for our lovely reflective pool! Matt and I will also get a chance to discuss timings. I have to ensure that the plants are delivered on the right day, just as the build is coming to an end and the team are ready to plant up. With my first small show garden it took as long to plant up the garden as it did to build! All timings are absolutely critical when you’re working to such a restricted schedule.

I haven’t chosen my Pinus mugo shrubs yet so I’ve also paid a quick visit to Ladybrook to check out their stock. Four little beauties now have my name of them and will be kept to one side for their big day. This good weather is fantastic news for all of the perennials that have had such a slow start this year. The nursery is basking in wonderful sunshine - long may it last!