Head Gardener's Notes: Spring 2026

Wasn’t it wet?! It seemed to rain all the time this winter and when it wasn’t raining it was frozen or cold. This presents a challenge in a Garden where more than half of the paths are grass. Much of the normal late winter work was delayed because of this, but we have now caught up as the drier weather has improved access and the sun has made working outside easier as well.

As we moved into the first part of spring the snowdrops arrived in a rush and left at the same speed, but it was a good indication that we are going to have a good flower year and the daffodil displays along the Lime Walk and Orchard were marvellous. They are on the way out now in late March, but the bluebells are starting to show in the Nut garden, and the roses are filling out their leaves, so there is more to come.

We are deep into propagation for the year to come with everything from runner beans to flowers sown and showing in the glasshouse. The lemon trees, which were a birthday gift to Lady De L’Isle from the staff on the estate, are in fruit and the glasshouse is now getting so warm that it is being vented throughout the day.

However, frosts are still possible and can cause issues to plants either planted too soon or moved out of a glasshouse too early, so don’t be in a rush just yet! Take time to harden them off and watch the weather forecast before planting. Be a little cautious of plants bought in as they may have come straight out of cover and may also need to be hardened before planting.

The team are looking forward to the first of this year’s garden workshops in April and we were delighted that the first one sold out in only three days, so keep an eye on our social media and website for news of further workshops.

As we look ahead to the rest of spring we will be pruning the remaining roses, with few left to finish now, and moving plants around the borders (weather permitting). Our new composting area is beginning to work, and we will be using our own compost by the end of the season.

Now is the time to finish getting the flower beds ready for the growing season so we are cutting down and clearing anything we have not got to, sowing more sweet peas (Stephen has a lot in the glasshouse already!) and planning for getting the rope supports up for the peonies before they become too tall. Good luck with spring 2026 and let’s hope for just the right balance of warmth, rain and weather!

Tony Wiseman, Head Gardener

March 2026