Volunteer view: Jane’s Notebook

Jane Pownall, one of our welcome hosts, shares notes from volunteering during June.

29 June 2023

A substantial rainstorm last night has freshened everything up in the garden and brought the scorching temperatures down.

The wildflower patch in the kitchen garden is looking magnificent. A twinkling masterpiece of different colours and a magnet for bees. The French beans are climbing up their hazel supports and the tangerine dahlias are bursting into bloom.

The volunteers are busy weeding and trimming the edges of the lawns. Some are tidying up the wild edges of the plant nursery.

There’s a lovely subtle perfume on the breeze, it’s hard to decide whether it’s the deep purple buddleia (butterfly bush) or something further off in the garden.

Jonathon is helping me out today at the welcome desk. It fits in well with his weekly routine and he looks forward to working outdoors at Furzey. We have a good chat and he hands out the marketing materials.

As the sun breaks through the clouds, the butterflies start to arrive on the flowerheads to feed on the nectar. Tim, the gardener, explained that the way to distinguish a meadow brown from a gatekeeper is by the number of white ‘pupils’ in the black eye spots on the upper wings. Two in the case of the gatekeeper and one for the meadow brown.

A big group of students from around the Poole area has arrived to picnic in the grounds. Such a perfect day for a visit! I was interested to find out that Furzey Gardens now features in the recent publication “The Extra Mile” This helpful little book recommends beautiful places to visit to break up a long journey if you prefer to avoid service stations for your refreshments. Its an insider’s guide to alternative and delicious places to stop, just off motorways and main roads.

All the volunteers enjoyed yesterday’s leaving party, for Pete White, celebrating over 30 years as head gardener. There was music, dancing and fabulous food cooked to order by www.pizzapolizia.com. Tim Selwood gave a humorous farewell speech honouring all the good work that Pete has put in, to grow the garden and the people within the Trust. We all wish him well in his future ventures.

8 June 2023

Despite the ongoing dry conditions , the garden has exploded with colour. The lawns are showing signs of drought but should recover quickly as rain is forecast over the weekend.

All the borders have filled out and created a “bee paradise” The rhododendrons are in full flower adding welcome accents of interest.

The exotic pineapple broom tree Cytisus battandieri is looking amazing with its bright yellow flowers which smell just like the fruit and the golden leaved bean tree offers welcome shade for the volunteers. Johnathan has joined me today for meet and greet and was delighted to receive all the other young adults from the Trust who visited us from the centres at Poole and Fareham.

The wildflower mix in the kitchen garden has germinated well and promises to transform into a carpet of blossoms. Foxglove spires spike up through the beds along with the poppies which prove a definite favourite of the bumble bees.

The giant fairy doors provide new interest to our visitors. Twenty-five, four foot doors have been tastefully positioned at different locations around the grounds, to create a new treasure trail. Each has been uniquely designed by a local artist and guests are encouraged to seek them out whilst wandering through the grounds. You can even bid to buy your very own door to take home to your own garden!

A beautiful new storytelling chair has been donated to Furzey by Steve Morrall a talented local woodworker/designer from Cadnam at www.harecraft.co.uk. Andrew assures us all, that it is most comfortable!