The Maenporth gardens are always a talking point with lots of positive feedback from owners and guests enjoying their holiday. We have 29 acres of grounds and woodland so plenty to keep our gardeners busy!
Paul Toy is our head gardener has over 20 years experience in gardening, landscaping, and horticulture. He is supported by Josh who has worked on the Estate for 3 years and before that he completed his apprenticeship at the Tregothan Estate.
The team use a variety of machinery including chainsaws, hedge trimmers, strimmer’s and an All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and sit on mower to keep the grounds looking their best.
We are creating a sub-tropical garden and trying to introduce unique and unusual plant species from warmer climates such as South Africa. Falmouth has its own unique micro-climate where it is typically warmer than other part of Cornwall. The aim is to improve the gardens gradually and modernise them.
Plants and trees you will likely see include the Isoplexis, Canariensas, Echium, and Corderlines.
Woodland management is a big part of the Estate, and this includes clearing several paths and maintaining the canopies. The Blue bells in May are simply spectacular and a lot of work goes into clearing the brambles to make the best of this. The guys also monitor the trees across the Estate and work with a tree surgeon for the hard-to-reach places.
Over the four seasons, Paul & Josh can typically be found doing the following – although no day is the same!!
Spring:
This is probably the busiest season with so much going on! The tennis courts have the annual deep clean with specialist pressure washers and 2 tons of sand is then brushed in to keep the courts in good condition for the holiday season. As well as the Tennis Courts, all of the hard surfaces such as walk ways and patios are cleaned.
120 Hydranders are pruned across the Estate and then it is on to replanting beds where needed.
The borders are mulched to retain moisture and then there is the poly tunnel. Around 50% of our plants here on the Estate are grown in the Polytunnel.
Summer:
As the flowers continue to bloom, much of the summer is taken up with grass cutting and hedge trimming. A lot of planning takes place over the summer for the autumn and the gardeners are also kept busy with maintenance tasks which arise from guests staying.
Autumn:
In the autumn there is a general cut – back and the second opportunity of the year to replant. As the leaves begin to fall, the leaf blowers are brought out and used to help keep the area tidy.
Winter: Over the winter, most of the tree work and dead wooding takes place. Planned works are carried out and general maintenance such as clearing gutters.
