Beechgrove Potting Shed - Come Wind Rain or Shine

As a breed, we gardeners are obsessed with the weather. And who can blame us when every move we make is governed by what comes from the sky. It was but a few weeks ago when we were sweltering under a scorching April sun, yet this past week has left us battered, bruised and bewildered by pre-summer storms, and today I have to close the curtains as I type, otherwise I can't see the screen for the glare of the sun. Yip, the Scottish-Summer really is a marvel to behold. But despite the hardships this erratic weather can bring, in a way it's rather comforting. It brings with it a sense of camaraderie, a sort of 'togetherness' where we're all in the same boat and ready to deal with whatever nature throws at us.

Last week when I was out for a stroll (I say stroll, I really mean urban assault course dodging wheelie bins through 80 mile per hour gusts - and while I'm at it, wind-cheater jackets should be forced to change their name as they certainly do not do what they say on the tin!), anyway where was I? Oh yes, my daily constitutional, anyway as I struggled through the nightmare wind, I passed so many gardens left flattened by the storms, and I have to say my heart sank. The sight of all that gorgeous spring growth burnt, torn and flattened almost left me in tears. On the Potting Shed this week, most of the calls and emails were regarding the havoc wreaked by the wind, and I'm delighted to report that my guests Carole Baxter and Ian Young were galvanised in their advice that the sun will shine again, and this apparent devastation is a mere temporary blip, and most shrubs will make a full recovery.

I myself didn't escape the horrors of the gales. A few months ago I bought one of those plastic greenhouse contraptions. You know the type with pictures on the packaging promising plump tomatoes and perfect hanging baskets. As I walked out of the discount store, box under my arm and change from twenty quid, I gave each passer by a knowing smile and a raised eye-brow which said 'I'll be self sufficient by Christmas', and before I even reached the car I wondered if I should supply my friends with weekly veg-boxes, as I guessed me 'n' Mr T wouldn't be able to eat all the fresh produce ourselves. Now, I'm quite a busy gal, what with the cats and the garden and 'stuff', and the mini-miracle-greenhouse lay in its box until the end of April's heatwave. About seven minutes before the first storm, I decided I should erect it and get planting. I feel I don't even need to tell you of the carnage that followed.

All I can say is the Wright Brothers at their peak couldn't have come up with a more aerodynamic structure than this. I was securing the plastic covering to the metal frame when the first gust struck. There I was, like some modern-day- Dorothy, clinging on to my 'house' for dear life as it threatened to fly out of Kansas forever. Within seconds the whole thing took flight, swollen like a hot air balloon, with me refusing to let go of the bottom. 'Run, save yourselves,' I yelled, through the howling wind to Mr T, the cats and the man next door, who all gathered to watch; not one of them I may add, offering to lift a finger to help! Eventually I was forced to let go, and by all accounts the greenhouse was last spotted flying over the Chelsea Flower Show, like a majestic bird of prey, threatening to up-stage Diarmid Gavin's medal winning Irish Sky Garden.

But my spirits won't be down for long, this week I'm delighted to say, The Potting Shed is on the move. We'll be at Gardening Scotland at Ingliston on the 4th and 5th of June, so two chances to be in the audience, and as usual you can put your questions to our expert panel. Please pop over and say hello. And on the 30th June, we're recording an episode of The Potting Shed at the Town House, Haddington at 7.30pm. Information on tickets is available on our website.

Until then..happy gardening...

Theresa

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