What a relief – spring is finally here and we can start looking forward to longer days and, hopefully, drier weather. Wet weather can be as damaging to plants as the cold, particularly bulbs, so this year’s rain-drenched winter may have taken its toll on gardens. Now is the time to assess the damage by checking flower beds and borders to see which plants have made it through.

It should be easy to see what has survived as most herbaceous plants will be showing signs of new growth by now. But make sure you pick your way carefully through big borders as you do your checks. It would be unfortunate for a plant to survive the winter only to be trampled by your boots. All the Glyndebourne gardeners have become adept at balancing in odd positions as we work our way through the borders.

We grow lots of tender perennials and shrubs at Glyndebourne either because they bring an exotic flavour to the garden or because they are very long-flowering. These spend the winter in the comfort of one of our two greenhouses, rather than battling the elements, and now is the time to start acclimatising them to the outside world – “hardening off” is the official term. If we take them straight from the greenhouse and put them outside the shock to their system will damage them so, starting with shrubs such as citrus, Pittosporum and Oleander, we slowly get them used to life outside.

We are fortunate at Glyndebourne to have a shade house, a traditional oak-framed building clad with oak planks with a gap between each. This is open to the elements but gives protection from late frosts and cold winds and is the perfect place to move tender plants to when starting the hardening-off process. Cold frames do the same job for smaller gardens and are worth investing in. Alternatively, move plants outside during the daytime then put them back during the night, snug inside, until the hard frosts are over.

In a few weeks our pots will be transferred to the terraces and start playing their part in making Glyndebourne’s gardens beautiful. Then the fun really begins.

  • Glyndebourne’s gardens are open to ticket holders for Glyndebourne Festival (May 17 – August 24) only. The Box Office opens this Monday, March 10 via Glyndebourne.com or 01273 815000. Tickets cost between £10 and £250