We have a number of people producing plants at Country Matters Hexton, Carolyn has been visiting Country Matters for a few years now, and for the last couple of years she started to bring plants to sell. She tells her story:
I have always enjoyed gardening and love the challenge of raising plants, my parents have always encouraged me to garden, we had an allotment when I was a 'nipper' and Dad always had a greenhouse, he used to pay me to prick out seedlings.
So a few years ago I encouraged my son to take cuttings and plant seedlings to earn some money, as it was difficult finding a job locally, but I will admit he is not such an enthusiastic gardener as me. All of the cuttings have in fact been taken by him, but the subsequent care and potting on has not been exclusive to him! But he does get all the earnings from the plants, so helping him a bit with his fees. He says that I enjoy the gardening more so seems a shame to not let me get involved. This year he has had more of an excuse not to get so involved as he is now at university.
The cuttings have been taken from the plants that are in my garden, and the seedlings have been raised in the conservatory and in cold frames in the garden. Each year I buy a few more plants and find somewhere to squeeze them in - the lawn gets a bit smaller each year. I tend to stick to pink, white, lilac and blue colours keeping it simple to match, but there are occasional splashes of different colour. I seem to be collecting a number of Penstemons along with a host of other perennials. Here are a few pictures of the garden, it was just grass when we first moved in and over the year flower beds and hard landscaping has been introduced.
This year my husband has sat in the garden potting on plants - so maybe we will continue to do the plants, as long as we can continue to sell them.
I do like to visit the odd garden or two for inspiration, and am working my way through gardens within easy driving distance.
Last year I treated myself to a new garden seat, and planted up a new flower bed next to it, I will have to take some new photos this year as the plants will be more established, perfect for eating my breakfast out there, Just need to retire now.
I belong to
Ampthill Country Market, and we have a stall on the market every Thursday.
When I am not gardening I like to make cards and also do knit and crochet, some of my things are also for sale at Country Matters.
I would love to know what sort of plants you like to buy, and whether you have bought any of my plants.
