How does your garden grow?

After a few days of dismal weather, today has been beautiful, and a group of us were able to go to the Barnsdale Gardens for the KMFC Friends And Neighbours Annual Outing.

The gardens were started by the late Geoff Hamilton, of Gardeners' World - they are a living memorial to the skills of this lovely man.

After a splendid lunch in the Coffee Shop - we started our leisurely stroll round the gardens. I took lots of pictures of the group over lunch.

The grounds are laid out in a series of linked gardens - and there is plenty to inspire, and encourage [and also perhaps dishearten those of us who have trouble growing cress on a flannel!]

I was fortunate to be walking round with Irene and Mary, whose plant knowledge is phenomenal, and knew all the names of things.

I was particularly taken with the Ornamental Kitchen Garden, where the veg plots were laid out in a a neat pattern of triangles and rectangles, round gravel paths, so everything was easily accessible - and looked delicious!

The Japanese Garden was very tranquil and peaceful - but probably no good for those of us who have dogs.

There was a great display of rhododendrons too. Rhododendron means 'red tree' - I remember that from Bobs' Greek studies.

Here are the only two pictures of flowers which I took - for reasons I won't go into, my photography session was curtailed.

 

 

 

 

 

I did get a splendid picture of Brian in an Arbour though! Rather like a Papal throne, I thought.

It was a lovely day, and we all enjoyed seeing the flowers. They were beautiful in form and colour.What a Great Creator God we have!

Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!

I was very impressed by the staff - the gardener in the Allotment Garden answered questions so knowledgeably and patiently. They were also brilliant when one of our party was overcome by the heat, and could not have been more helpful.

I'd like to go back to Barnsdale again - there was so much to see, and appreciate.

God waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work. He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart.