October's Guest Gardener
Chat with Sarah Ward about Stobshiel Garden
Stobshiel has been home to Max and Sarah Ward for over 30 years. When they first moved there the garden looked absolutely nothing like it does today. Sarah is a close friend of the family and we have spent many happy times playing in the beautiful garden there, however we cannot underestimate the huge amount of work that Sarah has put into the garden over the years. It is now open on Wednesday from March through to September with Scotland’s Garden Scheme. I highly recommend a visit in 2024 when it is next open!
Tell us about your garden and your involvement
I am not a trained horticulturist and I have never employed one to work here. It is a large garden, possibly about five acres and the walled garden runs along one side of the house. We are 720 ft up in the lammermuirs so winter can hit us hard. We also have acidic soil.
Over the last 30 years, we have had wonderful people who have volunteered here. Now, I have Mike who comes two days a week (he says he never knows what the day is going to bring till he arrives), Ronnie who loves nothing more than the strimmer in his hand. He comes when he can and keeps us tidy. He also works hard in the woodland garden. Finally, we have one lovely lady, Delia who usually comes a couple of mornings to keep weeds under control in the walled garden.
What or who has inspired your garden?
When we moved here 30 years ago, we had three young children and the fourth was born soon after arriving here. The garden grew legs and arms almost from the beginning and it is a wonderful place to live. Now the children are grown up, I love watching my eight grandchildren arriving, rushing around the garden and exploring. It gives us huge happiness.
The garden has evolved through enthusiasm and some hard work. Listening and asking for other people’s ideas has been of huge benefit over the years. The pond was the inspiration of a couple sitting on a bench and surveying the lawn . At the very beginning, Michael Innes came and gave me some advice.
What challenges have you be faced with in the garden?
About 5 years ago, we were hit with box blight and we took out 22 trailer loads from the walled area. My biggest challenge is to have the garden looking interesting throughout the year. We open every Wednesday from March to the end of September and I have so appreciated those who have come to visit and contribute to the charity box. We have met many interesting people.
We try to keep our weed spraying to a minimum, but it is the only thing that really sorts ground elder if it is in a bed somewhere.
Do you have any recent highlights?
My delight this summer was to meet Mrs Hedgehog and friend scurrying about within the walled area. Owls are very prolific up here too, so we see a lot of them. We have hens rushing around wherever they wish. My biggest recent success and delight is Autumn raspberries.
Any tips for local gardeners?
My tips for anyone out in their garden big or small..enjoy it! Don’t let it control your free time. Try out whatever appeals to you.. you never know what will happen .
