Plantsmans Diaries...An English Country Garden 6

A rather long awaited update of where we're at after a relatively mild but busy winter slog. Much of the infrastructure is now in place and its time in a few weeks to get into plants and gardening, which after all, as a retired plantsman is what I do. The hard landscaping is about 70% done....except the stinking pond....whose renewal haunts my waking hours...I have never enjoyed water gardening....or water come to that...I was a particularly grubby child, soap was never my thing either. I've grown up a little since then to the point of actually having an occasional bath....
I think in future uploads, these videos will be shorter and more focused....thats the idea at least, though I've said that before and they've crept up in length regardless. I have received lots of advice on titles, length, clickbait methods, content and general tips on increasing "traffic"....most of which I've ignored and probably will continue to. It is not that I don't appreciate the marketing offers I'm given, its just we all have our own style and this is mine. For better or worse. As for the earthy language...?...
Well, I have spent my life in potting sheds, amongst gardeners, plantsmen, and nurserymen....their humour and language has generally always been a touch "course" as one person accused me of being. For me to sanitise or censor myself would not be a true reflection of the impact these people had on my development as a plantsman, I speak to you the viewer as if I was conversing with my peers.....warts and all. For me personally if I cut and paste or otherwise censor bits of dialogue, it feels like I'm talking down to the viewer. Or worse still treating you like a student, which you are not. There are numerous and I'm sure excellent tutorial gardening videos out there more "subject specific" and directly helpful than mine, which are not intended to be professional or polished or particularly informative. They are made to share my view of plants, gardening, propagating and general demeanour with those who are more laid back in their approach. While I was a professional nurseryman I never felt like one and still don't...I cannot see the reason behind making everything so polished it loses its fun and humanity. Horticulture has for centuries suffered from a rather poe faced, posh hierarchy running it from the RHS down...where pronunciation and horticultural snobbery has been more important than having fun, keeping it honest, real and accepting the ordinary working man or woman who can maybe only afford the occasional bread and butter plant is as important as the gentry in their stately home with a national collection of Rhododendrons or whatever. It has been run by posh nobs for far too long. The golden thread of plantsmen and gardeners that run through these islands (UK) is the ordinary gardener, the people who with deserved pride open their garden for charity once or twice a year, the guy or girl with a small backyard, the child with a small patch of garden, the young or old with allotments.....not the RHS, Kew, or the National Trust etc.....fine institutions, but that's what they are...institutions. They do not have a heart they have a mission statement. So my videos are for us amateurs, plant lovers, peasants and other ne'er-do-wells.
Best wishes to all...Malcolm

[@myragooden8667]

Malcolm you have done so much work since last episode, love how your garden is taking shape and I love your shed. That’s what we retired people do, keep enjoying your retirement.

[@donkeim434]

Sunnyside is looking amazing Malcolm, you really have reborn it! Glad to see the shed settled in, Posh!

[@sunnygardner1246]

Outstanding.

[@davenadainton4209]

Flippin love these videos. I'm loving each the series of your garden evolving. You've done an amazing job. I love seeing Clara and Tom too. they've come so far thanks to you.

[@Ficus_blue]

Never change the way you do your videos, Malcolm. Your videos are a breath of fresh air in a shitty world!

[@barrylonglive520]

Love the videos and the blue wit

[@daviddoyle5480]

The garden is looking great malcolm, you've put some hard graft in since your retirement, looking forward to the rest of your episodes, especially you showing us some of the extensive propagation knowledge you have.

[@raymondcutler8795]

This the best garden on utube or on tv thank very much keep safe

[@simes354]

Excellent Malcolm. Glad to have you back - it's coming along nicely.

[@colinchurcher3312]

Great video showing all the progress gives us all heart, year and a half till retirement and my shed😃

[@deloresmitchell8387]

Shout from NYC. In 🇺🇸.

[@stampinghippo7157]

Happy belated belated birthday Malcolm. The garden looks better and better every episode. Thanks to Amanda as well for taking uns abroad. Thankful greetings from an amateur and plant lover!

[@donkeim434]

Welcome to America Amanda. I hope your stay here was full of beauty and wonderment!

[@amandahodgson9637]

Thank you, Don- it absolutely was!! Breathtaking x

[@robindavis4843]

Lol! Everything looks gorgeous!

[@PamsMountainGarden]

How pretty your garden is.

[@wendychandler8304]

I missed this super video and it's a real treat to seenow. Thank you for the garden - and what a change of scenery and plants in USA.

[@helenhawkins4054]

I so enjoyed this video, great to see your progress. The wonderful area, the nursery and your happy dogs. Thanks.

[@amandalovetere]

This is my new favorite gardening channel! Love it ❤️

[@amyjones2490]

Now that's an intro!

[@badbooks476]

Great to see you all again and excellent update. Malcolm your garden has progressed amazingly in such a short time. Amanda’s American trip looks very exciting, Thankyou for sharing,

[@mikesmith-yj3ih]

Gash it's a right big garden but it will be wonderful when it is set up, notice i did not say finished ? a garden is never finished. Well done you friend. 👏🏻.

[@dc0145a]

Wow Malcolm you've certainly been busy. Enjoyed this video - the countryside and visit to Eggleston; wow that's alot of water.

[@jonmurphy4218]

I think it's rhododendron cilpinense, at 7:50. One of my first rhodos to flower in season. Massive work done.

[@patgentry7268]

Great episode! So loved your damp walk at the beginning, and Amanda’s trip pics, but wonderful to see the progress of your garden, which is definitely not your simple English Country Garden! Subtle, but delightful, is where it looks to be headed. Would love to see Amanda, if she gets to Northern California…the Golden Bear is our state symbol! All the best as you head into spring! Thank you for your channel, it is The Best.

[@becmckinlay5073]

Thanks for the laughs, apparently I skirt lifted a strawberry guava today, who knew?!!! Sheesh I'm never going to unhear that one. As for beavers and cows🤣. I like your prose and poetry, perfect compliment to the Plantsman. In admiration, kind regards, a fellow, hippy Chrone 😉

[@amandahodgson9637]

Thank you, Bec! Much appreciated xxx

[@mrcogginsgarage7062]

Welcome back Malcolm.

[@virginiancarolina8850]

How delightful.! Thank you Malcolm. You continue to inspire and teach me. Amanda so glad you enjoyed your visit here. The video and pictures were fantastic . Wish I could have hosted you for a day 😊 on the East coast

[@kalayne6713]

Belated birthday greetings, Malcolm. The date was my mum's birthday too, but she only made 62. At 70, I am grateful that she was my first garden teacher, its been a lifelong passion. Sadly I have always rented, so have never seen my gardens come to anything like maturity. Like me, her love was English cottage gardens, not exactly fashionable in hot, dry Australia. But one I am sticking to, our native plants evolved to burn, to me its madness that we are encouraged to grow natives in our bushfire prone areas. I will continue to plant English plants, from the land of my ancestors. You have worked hard. And it was lovely to hear Thomas...he is a delight.

[@backyardmechanic921]

Great video, well said about gardening institutions. We don't need them to tell us peasants what to do or how to do it. Your earthy humor is a breath of fresh air. I'll not say anything about Amandas Beaver, best left under wraps. Looking forward to the next video to see how it's progressing. Best wishes.

[@donnawalters1661]

So good to get caught up on all the latest goings on! Wonderful progress, love the hellebores. We moved to bear and moose country last summer and we are always hoping we don't see a bear. They've just woken up, are hungry and food is scarce.... The photograpy Amanda shared was stunning! Thanks to you all for sharing.

[@karendavidson394]

Thanks, I am on a similar project here in coastal Northern California.

[@marshmenne8657]

Before I have even watched this episode, I can tell you that I like you and your accomplices the way you are. Do it your way, that’s what we all like! Best wishes. Very nice work. Love the shed. You have made so much progress.

[@jameswswann]

Was just wondering where you had been and now here you are! Great to see you Malcolm.

[@marymorris7034]

Happy belated birthday Malcolm! Love your videos and then glad you are young enough to keep me entertained for yours. Love the shed and can't wait for the pond up to Just so you know I have pesky rabbits at my house too

[@margaridamaia9187]

Great to see you Malcolm! I missed you!

[@annescott6137]

🙋Hi from Scotland ,hi Malcom great to see you and your looking well ,what can say the garden is beginning to look amazing what a lot of hard grafting you have put in the landscapeing s just wonderfully and you have wonderful range of beautiful trees the troughs look great and so dose your wee alpines Malcom I love all the different toadstools you have around the garden I would love a couple of those in my garden do they sell them in eccleston or are they just in your garden your shed is nice I wish you happy times in there thank you do much for taking the time to show us around till next time cheers 🍷🍷 Anne Scott from Scotland

[@digsowgrow]

You’ve been busy Malcolm! Looks great and really starting to take shape

[@bencollyer2296]

You’ve done loads mate looking good

[@MDA-rs4uf]

This is really gonna be a showplace....the amount of change in what seems like a short time is a testament to your health I'd say.....you've got an eye for hard scape for sure.

[@laurenb6451]

Hello Malcolm, from the start to the conclusion of this video there’s quite a lot of progress, props to you! You are working TONS! Makes me tired just to watch (as I am waiting for our yard to dry out) The shed is snazzy and I am looking forward to learning whatever you decide to teach is from there. Happy (belated) Birthday - to 120🎂. Thank you so much for making these videos as they are my absolute favorite of every single thing anywhere.

[@cew9837]

Blimey - at first that very solemn intro I thought something had happened ... phew only just a huge amount of hard work! paying off now though Malcolm - great to see Eggleston too in full flow! Don't think you can blame the jessies - they're looking a little ... rotund? Age is catching up perhaps??? Happy birthday ... 2 yrs behind and similarly looking to make it easier in future. I don't have the moors but went up to Cambridge last week for my birthday trip and by chance we drove into what it said was a garden nursery.... well blow me down a proper plantsmans nursery with a young couple just starting out ... all laid out right out to the walls..7th heaven! came away with a moorheim beauty and some others just to treat myself .....good to see people taking up the trade.. Lovely to see Thomas's tips and Amanda's beaver travels... One thing Malcolm - when you turn around could you try to do it a little slower - my age but sometimes I feel a bit nauseous when the vid spins....!

[@1erickjon]

I've loved this since it was at Eggleston Hall Gardens, but WOW Malcom!....I'm dumbfounded....AMAZINGGG!!!!!

[@pollysumpton8042]

What a great catch up, highly entertaining and interesting seeing the results of all that hard work. The vid of America awesome and the music brill. Big thanks from a very appreciative fan.

[@outdoors459]

Wow Malcolm garden is looking fabulous. I cant wait to see it fill out as the months go by 🌱🌹❤

[@dbatesdob]

Ends with Amanda's beaver lol

[@franconianable]

Good to see Malcolm and views of my own country. Following from Oregon

[@user-vm3vx1iy7w]

🇬🇧Наконец! Новое видео! Очень рада ❤! Хорошо, что есть переводчик с английского, хотя бы комментариев. Но целый год смотрела без перевода ваши недельные выпуски и без всякого ущерба для впечатления: просто гуляла с Вами по саду, знакомилась с Вашими помощниками, с тем, как вы все вместе выращиваете, пересаживаете, ухаживаете за растениями. Все эти видео - 52! - сохранила в "библиотеке". Надеюсь, что есть и обратный переводчик, с русского. Спасибо! Татьяна, Москва, Россия 🇷🇺

[@dennistaft7868]

Cows are often mistaken for bears here in America. The west side is beautiful with it's rocks and mountains, but the east is beautiful with rolling hills of woodland and green. Best time to visit is probably fall with it's gorges color. You slay me Malcolm, the garden is really coming along nicely. Hard to believe it's changed so much in such a short time. Great job.

[@amandahodgson9637]

Thank you, Dennis, that makes me feel slightly less foolish!🤣 I’d love to visit the east coast one day - I’ve heard how very beautiful it is 🤗

[@ourfloridagarden4191]

Everything looks amazing.

[@traciefromSunderlanduk]

Oh what a great end to the day, I've not even watched the video yet but I know I'm going to enjoy it, came across your videos about a month ago and have watched them all, loved seeing Low Force which I used to visit yearly from 8 years old for next 3 years, slightly older now at 50 but brought back good happy memories, watching from across in Sunderland x

[@dc0145a]

Amanda welcome to US. I'll be traveling to CO next month - south of Denver. My son lives out there. Small world; my other son lives in Norfolk UK.

[@amandahodgson9637]

Thank you! Norfolk and CO both totally different and both beautiful! X

[@thewizardoftod]

I was wondering what had happened to you Malcolm, Glad your alright, missed that sense of humour of yours. Egglestone will never be the same without you. I knew you wouldnt be able to miss the "Beaver" joke.🤣🤣🤣

[@amandahodgson9637]

It was a forgone coclusion, Ean! 😂

[@thewizardoftod]

@@amandahodgson9637 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@bernadette1510]

Welcome back Malcolm, you have been missed! Marvelous strides on the garden project. I keep seeing the beautiful display of wooden(?) or is it cement mushroom collection. Are they your creations? They are simply stunning! Do you care to share where did they come from? Greetings from USA. 😉

[@JENITASBFWELLWISHESGARDENING]

new subscriber👋🏿🥰👍🏿

[@lindab1458]

It’s all looking great Malcolm, you’ve done such a lot of work since the last one. The shed is a dream 😍 With all those power tools in your workshop, you should have a first aid kit and an emergency bell in case of mishaps! Good luck with the pond 👍🏼 What is the name of or where is the edging from please? We’re about to lift some turf and put in a gravelled area but can’t find edging we like.

[@GregCurno]

Best UK garden series out there, great work Malcolm and the Production Staff 😂 . Did you make the all the trough containers yourself; can't find the episode where you made them...

[@bencollyer2296]

Lol the rabbit moment bless them they’re old skinned by a young one

[@abigailbutler5097]

Amanda, you were so close to my brothers gallery in Springdale, Utah at Zion national park. You skipped Texas I see. 🤘🙄 It's okay. We have very few bears.

[@amandahodgson9637]

🤣😂 Abigail; I’ll do Texas next time - if you clear all the rattle snakes away! Xxx

[@brianhalse4120]

Nice propagation shed. Will Amanda be calling around to help you propagate😉😉😉

[@amandahodgson9637]

Please don’t encourage him, Brian!! 😂🤣

[@edwardreedy]

If l'd known Amanda was coming to the states l would have put on a clean shirt.

[@amandahodgson9637]

I would have expected nothing less, Edward! 🤣

[@sunnygardner1246]

Is the pond muck good for the beds?

[@kahvac]

Very nice Intro !

[@jimkrahn7079]

Congrats on another trip around the sun 😎 Rabbit 1/ dogs 0

[@eileentarrant9876]

Oh I enjoyed that ,love the shed 😁 Please don’t let time go by without showing the tulips in flower ,I’ve got a lovely one called Brown Sugar and it’s perfumed .Didn’t think you’d let Amanda get away with anything 😂😂😂

[@amandahodgson9637]

He never does, Eileen, he never does!! 😂🤣xxx

[@Nicktgrief]

don't spray the snowdrops ... My daughter wants some in our garden as she's taking on half of it to how she likes ... I'll bring me spade and some pots from deepest darkest warwickshire 🤣

[@aquafishcspeia2921]

🐰: 😏

[@sertalis]

Hey u stole my future