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Special Plants Nursery (Chippenham, England)

Our third day was a busy one as we left our first hotel in Bath and traveled to Wells. There were several stops along the way, the first being Special Plants Nursery in Chippenham, England. It was a warm day. The nursery is owned by former Oregonian Derry Watkins, who moved to England decades ago when she married an Englishman. She is a plant collector and has traveled all over the world, her favorite place being South Africa.  That is Derry in the above photos talking to our group. The house and garden are located on a steep hill with idyllic countryside surrounding it. She says the garden was designed by her architect husband and she has filled it with her favorite plants, mostly tender perennials that she has collected from her plant-hunting expeditions. Most of the beds are terraced and many plants are grown in gravel. The garden is also enhanced with some striking ornaments - Lower island beds proceed downhill - A bog garden - At the bottom of the property is a woodland walk....
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Planting Fall Vegetables


I can't remember a September as nice as this one. It is usually blazing hot and dry, even into October. This year (and I hope this doesn't curse it), temperatures have stayed in the 70s and low 80s and we've had regular rain. And, best of all, no humidity. This is how Fall is supposed to be!

I've managed to get some fall crops in the ground at an appropriate time. The raised beds I have at my mother's house is 20 miles away so I can't tend to them like I should. Two weeks ago, I planted radish seeds and seedlings of lettuce, cabbage and onions. I think seedlings are the way to go. I planted lettuce seeds last year and I'm not good at thinning them out. We had plenty of lettuce but it was a crammed mess.


Other fall crops that can be planted now are carrots, collards, turnip greens and other greens. The cooler nights help them grow well and if a freeze should threaten, they can be covered to protect them.

I've also planted lettuce in containers in the small vegetable garden at our house since the tomatoes are still taking up most of the beds.

The summer vegetable garden was more successful than last years. The cantaloupe "Ambrosia" did well again although last year we were still getting cantaloupes up until late October and this year's vine is about done. I'm guessing the wetter weather has affected them since they prefer drier soil.

My last attempt at cucumbers was disastrous but this year was better. I also grew a row of okra and purple hull peas. Less successful was the eggplant - I think there were a total of 3 eggplants. Also, another failed attempt at squash, which promptly died. I also tried watermelon and got 2 melons but I think it about over too.

Radish seeds sprouting

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt TherapyText and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. Randy EmmittSeptember 26, 2011 at 4:13 AM

    Phillip,

    Those plants are looking pretty good. Great weather the past few weeks huh. We planted seeds 2 weeks ago also, hope the acorns don't cover them up.

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  2. GailSeptember 26, 2011 at 5:19 AM

    it has been beautiful and it's been a blessing to have the rains return. gail

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  3. Rosedale GardenSeptember 27, 2011 at 6:28 AM

    I planted cucs 3 times this year and the hot weather just scorched them after they came up. Squash same result. I have an area that gets late afternoon shade, may move my garden there next year. I still have hummingbirds as of this morning. Mary

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  4. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)October 2, 2011 at 12:00 PM

    Good luck with the vegetables!

    Do you grow artichokes?

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  5. LolaOctober 5, 2011 at 7:30 PM

    Great looking plants. I hope they produce a lot. Some of mine came up & some didn't. I think it was a bit too warm yet here.

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