Posted on January 26th, 2012 by admin
Waterperry’s Orchard team have begun the mammoth task of pruning our 1500 apple and pear trees in the five acre orchards to the west of the main estate and this year it’s more important than ever they move fast!
Orchard Manager Chris Lanczak and his second in command Jules Watling are a dab hand at the intricacies of apple pruning – which is an art all of its own.
But tackling such a huge number in such a short space of time is no mean feat. Apple and pear trees should be pruned between December and the end of February while the trees are still dormant. But this year’s mild weather means the sap is already starting to rise so they’re having to get their skates on!
Chris says it means the season could be earlier, with the trees blossoming sooner than we’d like because it would make them more susceptible to late frosts – and that can wipe out an entire crop!
So there’s more pressure than normal on the orchard duo to complete the task as quickly as possible.
If you’d like to find out more about fruit pruning, we run regular courses. Find out more in the gardening course section of our website at http://www.waterperrygardens.co.uk/whats-on-gardening-courses-category.php?cat=23
Jules Watling and Chris Lanczak with their major pruning job!
Posted on January 25th, 2012 by Susie Hunt
Our Open Weekend at Waterperry is living proof that from tiny acorns, giant oaks can grow!
About 4 years ago, our Orchard Manager Chris Lanczak came up with the idea of opening up the whole estate to visitors for just one day each January.
We were amazed at the incredible response and it became clear straight away that one day just wasn’t enough.
The following year it became our Open Weekend – and continues to attract more and more people, both Waterperry regulars and new visitors.
This weekend was no exception with hundreds coming along to take part in free tours of the Gardens, Nurseries, Orchards and Frescoes.
What we love about the event is it gives us a chance to find out more about why people come to Waterperry and what we can do to make their visit even better.
The good news is we seem to be doing a good job already but rest assured we’re not complacent and are always working our hardest to improve your experience.
In the meantime if you came along last weekend we hope you had a great day out and look forward to seeing you again soon at Waterperry.
Nursery Manager Andrew Chapman behind the scenes at Open Weekend
Posted on January 6th, 2012 by Susie Hunt
And we’re back! After a lovely Christmas break, Waterperry Gardens are open again every day from 10am to 5pm.
It’s a really interesting time in the gardens too – not only are snowdrops starting to flower a month earlier than usual – there’s even some blossom on the trees and the poor old shrubs don’t know whether they’re coming or going.
This weekend looks set fair so if you’re interested in seeing the affects of so much mild weather or late – why not pop over for a visit? There’ll be some gorgeous winter warming food in the teashop too as well as fabulously tempting cakes!
Posted on December 22nd, 2011 by Susie Hunt
So another year has been and gone. Is it just me or has this one disappeared particularly fast? One minute we’re getting all excited about the spring appearance of beautiful Waterperry-grown plants in the plant centre – the next it’s ho ho ho and we’re waving goodbye to another successful year!
And it has been successful – despite all the prophets of doom predicting an continued hard times for retailers – we’ve been lucky enough to see even more customers at Waterperry in 2011 – both hardy perennials and new stock!
Next year’s looking good too! We take centre stage in a brand new leaflet featuring the best gardens in Oxfordshire and it’s available now from visitoxfordandoxfordshire.com – so pick up a copy and start planning your garden visits for 2012.
To all our customers, thank you for your continued support in 2011 and we wish you a healthy, happy and plant-filled 2012. Whatever you’re up to over the festive season, a very Merry Christmas from all the staff at Waterperry Gardens.
P.S. We will be closing our gates on Christmas Eve and enjoying a well-earned rest – reopening on Tuesday 3rd January.
Posted on December 22nd, 2011 by Rob Jacobs
The work is nearly done. All our fruit tree orders have been sent out and the roses are all potted!
I have now lifted our lovely snowdrops from their nursery bed and put them in a secret location – you’d be amazed the lengths people go to to get their hands on some of the more unusual varieties we have here at Waterperry Gardens – and they’ll soon be ready for display in the New year.
Our home made wreaths and estate greenery have sold incredibly well and it really feels like a green Christmas this year.
The last Christmas tree for 2011 has been cut – although we always love to see the traditional customers who leave it until December 24th to buy their tree – always in the mood to barter and leave with a good deal.
Everyone knows the score and everybody has that holiday feeling – I just LOVE it!
Somehow it all just feels right – hopefully an omen for the year ahead.
Thank you everyone for all your support this year and let’s hope for a fruitful 2012.
Posted on December 21st, 2011 by Nursery
As we shiver in the current cold snap – and stress about getting everything ready for Christmas, spare a thought for some very confused plants in the nursery at Waterperry Gardens!
Nursery Manager Andrew Chapman appears pretty unconcerned about the early arrivals – instead celebrating the impending season ahead!
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Posted on November 29th, 2011 by Susie Hunt
What an amazing weekend we’ve had at Waterperry Gardens.
Our lovely Christmas Market attracted record numbers of visitors who were delighted with the array of artists and craftspeople there, as well as local food producers.
It was a great opportunity for visitors to see our lovely Christmas Shop – a new venture for us and already a big hit, as well as browse a fabulous selection of gifts in the Gallery and Gift Barn.
Thank you to everyone who came along and helped to make it such a festive success.
If you haven’t already made a note of the date for next year’s event – pick up a copy of our 2012 Events Diary which is out now.
To see pictures of the event, follow us on Facebook.
Posted on November 21st, 2011 by Susie Hunt
As we all start to think about the festive season – make sure you’re one step ahead of the game by investing in the right Christmas tree.
Waterperry grown trees will be on sale from the Christmas Market Weekend on the 26th and 27th November and whichever one you choose, our Orchard Manager Chris Lanczak has some good advice about keeping them looking good throughout the season.
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Posted on November 16th, 2011 by Susie Hunt
The incredibly mild weather of late (today excepting!) prompted a visit to Waterperry Gardens by BBC Radio Oxford, keen to learn what impact it’s having on both our gardens and plants.
Never one to shy away from publicity – and the perfect face for radio – our Horticultural Manager Rob Jacobs volunteered some words of wisdom – and advice about coping with unseasonable weather.
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Posted on October 20th, 2011 by Susie Hunt
There’s no getting away from it – Christmas is coming and this weekend we are opening our fabulous new Christmas Shop – packed full of beautiful, affordable gift ideas and decorations for the home.
Housed in the Potting Shed, our creative Gift Barn team have been busy preparing the grand unveiling which compliments everything else going on at Waterperry for Christmas – not least our Christmas Craft Market on November 26th and 27th.
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