Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2017 | Page 75

Country life
THE GROWING SEASON
by Matt Noyce, Head Gardener at Quarr Abbey
As the summer sun continues to
bless us with its presence, everything
benefits: the people, the plants, the
produce. It is wonderful to see so many
visitors enjoying the Quarr Abbey site,
enjoying all that it has to offer, including
watching us working on the land...
With the growing season in full swing, don’t forget
to keep up the watering and feeding. Most summer
crops are now ripening, and are nearly ready for
harvesting, if they haven’t already been gathered in.
The majority of the berry fruits are coming to an
end now, and I must say it has been a fantastic year
for them. Many of ours have been frozen down in
readiness to make our own jam. Fruited canes such
as summer raspberries and blackberries can now be
pruned back and the new canes tied onto supports.
Fruits that remain unharvested are now at risk from
wasps, so it may be worth placing wasp traps around
your plot. Strawberry runners that have been given
time to root can be planted in their final locations
now too. While it’s still warm, quick maturing
crops can continue to be sown, along with spring
vegetables for overwintering.
Our wall-trained pear trees are currently being
pruned in the formal disciplines of espalier, fan and
cordon. It takes years of careful and considerate
pruning, but the results are well worthwhile.
Elsewhere, we have been pruning summer flowering
shrubs, and climbing roses can be pruned and tied
onto their supports.
We are grateful to have had volunteer help from
many different sources over the summer period.
Some of these helpers have been interns who
have chosen to come to the abbey for a two month
internship programme, living alongside the monks
in work and prayer. Others have come on work
placement, some have come from abroad and some
are our steadfast regular volunteers.
Recently, we were fortunate enough to work
with then BBC Countryfile programme’s Summer
Diaries feature, and film some pieces with presenter,
John Craven. The day went well and was a great
opportunity to show the beautiful surroundings of
Quarr Abbey to a much wider audience.
On a final personal note, I have some special news
for this edition: as well as tending the gardens at
Quarr, I have also been nurturing our fourth child.
Our daughter Amber Lottie was born recently, and
you could say that she is the apple of our eye!
Pictures by Matt Noyce.
www.visitilife.com
75