Plantsmans Diaries...Last of Summers Wine

This episode draws both my working life and time at Eggleston Hall Gardens to a close. It was a path I chose and would do so again, but enough is enough and i'd like to spend my retirement doing other things.
These videos have been interesting to make. I'm aware they're a bit rough around the edges, and earthy.....But to use an irritatingly fashionable word, I would say they are most certainly "authentic"....The days of nurserymen like myself are almost gone. We are dinosaurs to the modern world, un PC, non-woke and resolutely unwilling to change or self censor every thought or sentence.....however, I look forward to developing a new format and going into greater depth on some subjects once the new workshop/potting shed is built around April. Until then I will make occasional winter updates from Sunniside, along with bits and pieces of everyday life. Then hopefully in spring a new format will have seeded itself and germinated in my mind....i'm always open to suggestions, so long as they are decent and within the law!
Very best wishes to all. Malcolm

[@Boru06]

My mam passed away recently. We always enjoyed your vids together, she loved your humour. Times change too quickly. Best wishes, Bryan.

[@lindab1458]

If the amount of work you’ve got done at Sunnyside is an indication of retired life then bring it on Malcolm. Congratulations to Thomas, and Lisa, obviously in taking up the reins. He might act the oaf sometimes but by heck, there’s a lot of knowledge in that 24yr old brain already. Good luck to all. 🥂

[@gigi3242]

Congratulations on your retirement, and the start of a New Life... and Congratulations to Thomas, can't think of a better person to "inherit" the Crown. Looking forward to watching Sunniside come back to Life, with the Master's Touch.

[@edwardreedy]

40 years from now Thomas will be showing these pics and talking about the "daft old man" he replaced! Congratulations Thomas. And enjoy retirement Malcolm!

[@marshmenne8657]

Best wishes on your retirement Malcolm. Have anticipated and fully enjoyed the program, the humor and the staff. First gardening program to make me enjoy poetry. Thank you Amanda!

[@amandahodgson9637]

Thank you, Marsh! That’s lovely to know x

[@simonwhite5535]

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou Malcolm. The videos you've generously put out over goodness knows how many years have been an invaluable source of information...you have enlightened and taught all us viewers much!! You should be proud of yourself!! One era ends, the new adventure begins!! Do not go gently!! ;) Good luck fella :)

[@dc0145a]

Congratulations on retirement. Now life gets really interesting. My dad 82 years young has soooo many projects underway. Keeps him young. Loved the segment with Clara and Jemima 🥰 Was that a Hartley greenhouse? Be still my heart ❤ Congratulations Thomas 🥰 Eggleston is in good hands with you at helm

[@brianturbefield1858]

I need to add my voice to the hundreds of others who are writing to say thank you and good luck for the future which we hope we can share in . Your videos over the past few years have been both entertaining and informative. You taught me how to prune apple trees in fifteen minutes when I could never understand any of the books on the subject. Cheers from Sussex. Brian.

[@jayneneale1008]

Well deserved retirement Malcolm 👏 👍 and congratulations to Thomas

[@simes354]

Really looking forward to what's to come Malcolm

[@donnawalters1661]

Thank you for taking us on the journey, have so enjoyed the videos and learned a lot along the way. Best wishes for whatever comes ahead. Hope we will see some updates on Sunniside and a pop over to see how Thomas and Lisa are getting on. Cheers Malcolm!

[@IanKidd]

I would love to see a free from work Malcolm showing us around other Nurseries, Gardens and such. You helped me threw a horrible couple of years . Thank you

[@patgentry7268]

It’s a snail, Amanda…without a doubt! Do love your topiary commentary. Thomas, all the best in your endeavor and huge Congratulations! Thank you to all included in the story that has been about, mostly, Eggleston Hall Gardens. Malcolm, I’m only half-way through, and crying because I stopped to read your written commentary. Damn, I do hate when things I love change or become difficult. You have every right, of course. But I so loved Plantsman’s Corner, in its original form…just you, saying what you know, for those of us listening. My garden, dry and worried about fire, and waiting for the autumn rains in Sonoma County, my garden is still English…can’t be anything else, really. My Kiftsgate is rampant, and happily so. My Japanese maples don’t really mind waiting for rain. My Terriers, like yours, are everywhere and trouble…just like they must be. Have a good winter, I look forward, as usual, to Spring, and news from you.

[@russgreen67]

Malcolm, you are an absolute pleasure to watch, your enthusiasm for horticulture sparked my dwindling enthusiasm for my garden during the past 18 months. Your knowledge and down to earth communication is so enduring. I wish you all the best in your well earned retirement but please continue with the videos however frequently you want to make them. Best wishes.

[@annescott6137]

🙋hi from Scotland hi Malcolm thank you so much for all the amazing vidios you have shared and all the amazing information you pass on I have watch you from the beginning and really look forward to following you in the garden I wish you all the best on your retirement and I am so pleased Thomas took over I now look forward to seeing you bringing Sunnyside garden back to life take care Anne Scott from Scotland

[@thedivide3688]

Happy retirement Malcolm. You are the best! I have learned so much over the years and can't wait for what the future brings you and the blessings you continue to share with us.

[@helenwilliamson7099]

Awe that was lovely, happy retirement Malcolm, and all the best to you all. 💚💛❤🌻🌼🐛

[@guinessparis1]

Think i agree with everything that has been said, Sunnyside is looking good,Hope you enjoy retirement as much as i have over the last 5-years. I was really pleased to hear that Thomas has taken the reins along with Lisa at Egglestone. I believe he will do an amazing job, you can tell the passion is there ,and that counts for a lot these days.

[@wandastrickler2564]

I can’t wait till you start your Sunnyside videos, I hope that Thomas will continue to do some videos also, Thank you for all the things that you have educated me in my Garden. Wanda from California

[@harveyfennell6251]

All the best for your retirement, please don’t spade away. I think like most of your followers I enjoy your irreverence a crap plant is a crap plant. Looking forward to the workshop tutorials come the spring

[@gracem3654]

All the best Malcolm, I look forward to seeing you back in the spring. Thanks for sharing all that experience and all the laughs. The post cuttings was up there with "four candles"

[@lenaolivetti9366]

You have done so much work . It looks great.good luck Thomas!!!

[@skinhogan58]

ah malcom happy retirement will definitely miss your videos my you have a long retirement tell thomas to do some videos from skin in Dublin Ireland

[@caroldonoghue265]

Just wanted to say thank you Malcolm you are a mine of information now I’m the queen of the “nibs”. Happy retirement hope you will keep on entertaining us. Congrats to Thomas and Liz couldn’t be in better hands xx

[@Goshtkub]

Thank you for all the joy you and your team brought to us over the years.

[@laurenb6451]

And we finally got to see a photo of LISA smiling! 🙂🙂🙂💜

[@johnbladykas4885]

Wonderful video, enjoy your next career. Thanks for sharing

[@llanteg47]

David Bradley I came across your video's some time ago when I was looking at propagating delphiniums. You have certainly inspired me with your knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm. My wife and I have thoroughly enjoyed all of your video's for the entertainment, humour and education. Best wishes for your retirement Malcolm and to all at Eggleston that have made these video's such a a joy to watch

[@Irreklee]

So glad Thomas bought the Nursery.

[@DVDFHardTarget]

Garden taking shape now Malcolm. One tip coming from a joiner. I would slope the tops of the retaining sleepers. Just helps the water run off. :)

[@neilgoulding8153]

Hi Malcolm I will miss you at Eggleston hall watching you having your walks and talks around the nursery garden I am only a few years behind you but I am not planning retiring as plants are my world you have really inspired me in the last few years to go back to my roots and grow my own So its a BIG THANKS

[@Plant_Pantry_NZ]

Congrats Thomas 👏. I was your age when I bought out my bosses (who at the time I thought talked a load of bullocks) Landscape architecture business.. best thing I ever did. Also turned out the old bugger didn't talk too much bullocks after all. 🙂. All the best from NZ

[@browpetj]

Wow, 25 and taking on the nursery garden! That is pretty good going... good studying too. Get it all done early is an understatement. Well done to Thomas. All the cash to buy in becasue the boy's nae married! Great investment and great decisions on everyone's part. That is a double whammy video here Malcom. Both of your gardens here are looking great. You've made a man of the boy and added mountains of value to the nursery reclaiming some and passing the rest to your capable people. That is alot of work to do digging all that stuff in your garden. I'd end up paying some people to do some of that I think. Very nice indeed. Some day, I keep telling myself, some day. Thanks for the ideas and inspiration. Can't wait to see your garden in spring. Looking very clean indeed! It's a big space you have there!

[@williampowell6656]

Thanks Malcolm for sharing your knowledge and joy.

[@helenyoung8012]

Happy retirement, dog walks, gardening and the rest. Hope to hear from you time to time. The new garden is really beginning to take shape.

[@chrisunderwood6701]

All the best Malcolm. I`ve really enjoyed all your videos. Enjoy your well earned retirement.

[@wendychandler8304]

Thank you for all the great videos, your time, energy and humour - it doesn't stop here of course.

[@adrianhalton2104]

Wishing you a long and happy retirement, looking forward to the further videos and to see sunnysiides progress. Good luck to Thomas at Eggleston which I must make time to visit.

[@1972taco]

I wish you a the best in the world, and hope that you enjoy your retirement. Thanks for all the video's and hope that you will make some more.

[@davidrevitt7470]

I have loved plantsman diarys year,and this years escapades. All the best to you malcom, egglestone will miss you,you will be giving them a hand with irregation in the future lol

[@colinchurcher3312]

To the future, hopefully many more years to come, good luck to you all

[@eileentarrant9876]

Well you did it Malcom ! You made me CRY 😢 the end of an era .but nobody better to pass it on to .ime sure he won’t be too much of a NEW BROOM ,but carry on as normal ,cos as they say If it ain’t broke don’t mend it .Anyway for a none hard landscape man that pier looks brilliant 👍 I love that eco edging .as for the yellow peril at the end (say no more) 😂😂 love to all 🥰🥰

[@karlitobergkamp8082]

All the best with retirement Malcolm I literally came across your channel when looking for a smoke bush, and as per usual you made me laugh in that video. Thanks for all the advice and effort you’ve put into all these videos they’ve helped me learn and made me an even keener garden who’s happy to pass on the knowledge I’ve learnt from you. I look forward to more videos in the future.

[@cew9837]

So glad you're passing reins on to Thomas .. he's worked so hard - I had wondered about the plan - he will build on what you put in place and you won't have to fix the irrigation system anymore!!! But he'll struggle to match the vocab .. bollock hard I think was one of my faves this one. Sure Young Clara will pop over to Sunniside too..be great to see how her training goes. Incredible amount of work you've done .. I need to coppice a similar lot of hazels at the lottie and now I'm inspired that I can take them right down. I'm really looking forward to following 'Plantsmans' and all the propagation ideas & keeping that Kiftsgate under control..going to be a monster ....onwards and upwards Malcolm.. enjoy. Never did get up this summer to visit the north - life intervened as it is wont to do... Best wishes from Lewisham.

[@ourfloridagarden4191]

My word, you have got a lot done at sunny side. It is very exciting to see the changes being made.

[@Nicktgrief]

I think the job of cleaning the pond out has Clara's name written all over it 🤣. Garden coming on well, I'm just starting mine but its only about 30 x 13 the bit I have to do so more manageable. Enjoy your retirement and I look forward to seeing the next phase. All the best to the Crew thats left at Eggleston and one day I hope to get up to see you all. Nick

[@NinaBrusnik]

Very interesting video! Beautiful garden and flowers!🌱🌿🍃🍁

[@badbooks476]

Congratulations on your retirement Malcolm. Sunniside coming along nicely, nice bit of carpentry & good tip re fixing the corners. Excellent that Thomas is a business partner to Lisa, he has a wealth of experience, Egglestone will be in safe hands with Them both at the helm. I look forward to any videos you are able to produce, but most of all, Enjoy your retirement.

[@maryfallon2474]

Happy retirement Malcolm 😀🍻

[@bencollyer2296]

Barbecue Stella where was my invite 🤪 God bless mate. hope I cross paths with you when I come up

[@bfrommars]

Aww that was a bit emotional. You have worked so hard at Sunniside and achieved so much, it's going to look glorious. Nothing wrong with a yellow fiat panda! (snigger)

[@neildickson833]

Loved the videos with your personal comments on a wide variety of things , but what’s happened to the advertised allotments? Best of luck with your retirement, you certainly have a lot of work at home to keep you busy , regards Neil Dickson

[@plantsmanscorner128]

Good point Neil. Unfortunately due to very high blood pressure and splitting retinas I was medically advised to slow down just as I was getting started. Annoyingly there is no way around the problem so things had to change a little….well a lot actually. So future videos will have a different format in the coming year…..I’ve started preparing for “An English Country Garden year” which will hopefully be along the same lines as “The English Nursery Garden Year”…….but my days of turning over an allotment are sadly gone I’m afraid.

[@alanbstard4]

love Granny Smith's. That cider is strong stuff. Is it Somerset that is infamous for scrumpy? garden is looking brilliant, Malcolm Both sad and Happy for you that you're retiring. I hope you'll keep in contact via youtube

[@elvissgrandma3215]

All the very best for the future Thomas.

[@outdoors459]

Thoroughly enjoyable video! As ever ❤

[@raymondcutler8795]

A big thank you all look forward to sunny side garden keep safe

[@outoftownr3906]

You want to play the sloe berry trick on Clara next!

[@GreenSideUp]

Oh that is so cruel, you should name another pet after the young lady apple tester...Steve...😃

[@browpetj]

Well composed video indeed.

[@laurenb6451]

I just got fresh Acer griseum seeds! You often show the tree you grew from seed. HOW DO YOU DO IT PLEASE!?

[@plantsmanscorner128]

Lauren…..first you need to make sure the seed you have is viable. To do this take a seed and cut it in half with secateurs….mind your fingers…..Griseum is notoriously hard to get viable seed from…..if it’s viable you will see a kernel filling up the hollow shell…..if it’s not there test another. It is possible only one in ten or twenty or none at all in the tree are of use…..you need to know at least some are or you’ll be thinking you’ve done something wrong rather than it being a seed problem. Assuming some are ok then make up a pot of gritty compost….half and half grit/compost or an alpine mix, fill your container leaving about an inch from the top, sprinkle your seed on and cover with half inch of grit…..soak well and put in a cold frame, shady part of glasshouse or outside protected from the worst of the weather…..you could leave them outside all winter if you wish and bring them into a cold glasshouse or frame in spring. They should germinate intermittently over the next “two years” never throw them out before this as the hard seed case can take a long time to break down. Hope this helps, but do check the seed is good or you’ll just be piddling in the wind…..Best wishes…Malcolm

[@laurenb6451]

Thank you Malcolm! I will go nack and get some more seeds and try it. Nobody in USA seems to know what grit is. I got a small bag of something for chickens called grit. I will use some of this with some perlite, I suppose! Thank you for answering!!!

[@marshmenne8657]

@@plantsmanscorner128 Thanks. I was also wondering about the acer griseum.

[@paulkelly5974]

What is the name of that lovely piece of music at the end?

[@gr328]

Was that your retirement pot at the end of the rainbow?

[@margarethughes3763]

Where can i buy a white pine sapling.

[@margarethughes3763]

Today is the 1st day of the rest of your life. 🦋🌈

[@s.k.3891]

But why such a melancholy title ? (you are referring to the series "last of the summer wine" I think)