Even if you only have a pot on a balcony you can grow a beautiful Japanese Maple so do please dont stop reading, this is for you too! One of the most satisfying things you can do is to grow a tree from seed. The road from seed to mighty tree is full of dangers but you will remember it all your life.
On the A1,near the gardens, is a lodge. Next to it is a big conifer screening the cottage from some of the traffic. This was grown from seed by Ralph who worked on the estate at Easton for 50 years. In his 70s he pointed out to me the trees he had grown from seed.
Over the last 10 years I have grown a random selection of young saplings. They range from Redwoods (now over 2m) to lilacs, silver birch and rowan trees (all suitable for a small garden). Most of my seed I collect or I order it from Chilterns.
Now is the perfect time of year to sow. Many tree seeds need a period of cold before they germinate so the coming winter will provide just those conditions. You can sow them in trays covered to prevent mice attack and leave outside in a protected space. If you have lots of, say, acorns, get hold of a plastic fish box, fill it with compost to about half way, push in your seeds and cover the top with a metal mesh. Keep it lightly watered in dry periods. You will get some germination in the Spring with practically no effort. The young seedlings will also tolerate sitting in here until they are around 1 tall.
The moment to really reward your young tree is when you plant it out. Make sure you dig a generous hole with lots of soil improver added. If you live in a rural area make a tall tree guard from wire to protect against rabbits and deer. I have had some very sad moments looking at trees that have been barked after years of care.
Sow lots each year and suddenly you will find you are giving away small trees to friends. There cant be many better presents to give.
Easton Walled Gardens is open four days a week in October. The new redwoods are just below the carpark and the smaller trees and shrubs are planted around the gardens.
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