Month: January 2025

Snowdrop Painting Workshop at Broadwell, Gloucestershire.

/ karen / 16 Comments

Date: 1st February at Broadwell Manor.

Details: Info@broadwellmanor.com.

Photo courtesy of D. George

I started writing this blog with the intention of spreading good news about all things gardening. With that in mind, I thought you’d like to hear about some new events being planned for Broadwell in Gloucestershire. The first event was a Christmas wreath-making course reviewed here on the blog. See below for details.

Rachel de Thame has now announced plans for a snowdrop painting workshop in association with celebrated artist Debbie George.

Debbie George
Rachel’s garden, from her latest book, A Flower Garden for Pollinators published by Greenfinch/ Quercus Books with detailed botanical illustrations by Lauren Lusk and photographs by Jonathan Buckley

I was lucky enough to get a chance to wander about Rachel’s garden while foraging for foliage for my Christmas wreath, and there under the huge, hundred year old trees, I spotted masses of little green shoots. Rachel had no idea the snowdrops were there when she bought the house- it was a glorious and very welcome surprise when drifts of them emerged.

Rachel says she’s very excited to be teaming up with Debbie George for the snowdrop painting workshop and galanthus appreciation day. “It’s a rare opportunity to be guided by Debbie through the process of painting snowdrops. I’ll be sharing growing tips and discussing the passion that these tiny flowers inspire in enthusiasts. Then we’ll go outside to pick snowdops from the many hundreds growing in the garden for you to paint, with Debbie on hand to help and advise.”

Another lovely example of Debbie’s paintings

All materials are supplied, as well as a three course lunch and refreshments throughout the day. There will be a selection of unusual snowdops available to buy, supplied by Ashwood Nurseries.

Debbie’s richly-illustrated book documenting her life and work was published in March 2024 by Rylett Press.

For more than thirty years, Debbie has painted still lifes – primarily flowers and pottery, sometimes landscape, and often all three in a single composition. Her paintings are today highly collected and appreciated around the world as joyful pictorial celebrations of the English seasons, of country life and the natural world.

Based on conversations with Debbie and drawing on her personal archive, the book provides a rare glimpse into the life and working methods of the artist. Packed with more than 200 illustrations, it shows that the clarity and sophistication of Debbie George’s art is the result of continuous practice and experimentation. This is a timely celebration of a lifetime of painting flowers, pottery and landscape.

“For Debbie George admirers and collectors, this celebration of her work is long overdue. It’s wonderful to see the full range of her paintings, spanning more than thirty years, collected together in one volume. Each turn of the page reveals another image to be poured over by all who share Debbie’s love of nature and feel lifted by her unique portrayal of Earth’s riches, however small they be.” – Rachel de Thame, BBC TV presenter, garden writer and columnist.

Snowdrops and catkins

I hope you’ve enjoyed viewing these beautiful illustrations as much as I have. They have certainly brightened a very cold wet day here in Leicestershire. Thank you for reading my blog. Sign up for e mail notifications for more reviews, garden visits, and general news from my wildlife-filled, English country garden.

For more information on courses contact info@broadwellmanor.com.

For the wreath-making review:

https://bramblegarden.com/2024/12/19/christmas-wreath-workshop-with-rachel-de-thame-and-arit-anderson/

For a review of Rachel’s latest book:

https://bramblegarden.com/2024/12/16/a-flower-garden-for-pollinators-by-rachel-de-thame/

Thank you and Happy New Year!

RHS Grow Food Anywhere -prize draw win

/ karen / Leave a comment

Thank you everyone who read my review and left a comment on the blog. John Tilton has won the prize copy. Please get in touch John by sending an e mail to k.gimson@btinternet.com.

Many thanks to the publishers, Dorling Kindersley, for sending a copy of the book to give away.

I have no hesitation in recommending Lucy Chamberlain’s new book. If ever you’ve wanted to have a go at growing food, look out for the book. It will set you on the right path for success.

Lucy shows us how to analyse our gardens to create ‘zones.’ It’s then a case of right plant for the right place. There’s literally something to grow in any situation.

Sunny aspect suggestions
Mapping your plot
Give crops the best start in life
Part shade
Lucy’s own garden as a case study
Beautiful as well as productive.
I wrote this over on instagram at karengimson1 .

Thank you for reading my blog. Please sign up for e mails and notifications. More book reviews to follow…. Happy New Year! Karen

RHS Grow Food Anywhere book review

/ karen / 37 Comments

By Lucy Chamberlain

Published by Dorling Kindersley, January 2025

Hardback and ebook 223 pages. £20

ISBN 978-0-2416-5649-5

The publishers have kindly sent one copy to give away in a prize draw. Please leave your name in the comments box below to be included in the draw. UK entries only.

One of my favourite writers is Lucy Chamberlain who manages to capture the magic of gardening and makes us want to rush outside and get growing! In her new book published today she tells us exactly how to grow just about anything anywhere. And it’s all written in an easy to understand format, without being either too simple or too complicated. That’s the beauty of Lucy, she’s able to strike just the right note and make it relevant to all gardeners.

Lucy’s garden

Lucy uses her own fruit and vegetable plot as a case study. I’ve watched Lucy create this garden over the past few years and admired just how much produce she manages to pack in there, as well as making it look beautiful with dwarf hedges, espalier apples and raised beds.

Contents page

Growing plants in the wrong place is one of the main reasons for crop failure. Lucy splits the book into ‘growing zones’ covering all the situations growers are likely to face when starting to garden. Sunny and sheltered, sunny and moist, open and cold, shady and wet, shady and dry, for example.

Several case studies are related, including a garden attached to large detached property, a compact garden, and an allotment. Lucy shows how to map areas of the garden to work out what will grow successfully in each position.

Mapping the plot
What will grow in different areas
Choosing plants to grow in full sun
Lucy’s garden where she grows 150 varieties of fruit, veg and herbs

In each area, top performing plants are suggested. I grow hazelnuts in dry shade, and each year I harvest a bumper crop of tasty nuts for making cakes and biscuits. They really are far more delicious than anything you can buy in the shops.

Other star performers for part-shade
About the author

I’ve known Lucy for about 20 years and have always admired her get-up-and-go. Her enthusiasm for growing fruit and vegetables translates so well in her writing for newspapers, magazines and books. I also love the podcast ‘Talking Heads’ which she hosts with Saul Walker. Real gardeners, talking about real gardening. It’s a joy to listen to them, to be honest.

Back cover of the book

I have no hesitation in recommending Lucy’s latest book. The ‘right crop, right place’ principal is beautifully explained. Lucy breaks down the environments found in gardens into seven zones, even incorporating indoor spaces. The book is packed with expert guidance on maximising your growing through making the best of what you have. Grow Food Anywhere will soon get you harvesting fresh, healthy pesticide-free fruit, veg and herbs. What a great way to start 2025!

Please leave your name below and one winner will be randomly selected on Sunday 6pm. Editor’s decision is final and there’s no cash alternative.

Thank you for reading my blog and Happy New Year everyone!