My Favourite Garden
Joe Swift (The Gibberd Garden)
Gardener's World presenter Joe Swift explains why The Gibberd Garden in Harlow ignited his passion for gardening and garden design. "I remember being bowled over by it... I found it incredibly exhilarating because I didn't really understand how this garden was working and what it was doing to me but I understood that it was doing something".
Harlow New Town's chief architect and planner Sir Frederick Gibberd worked tirelessly for over 30 years to create this horticultural work of art which is now recognised as a key piece of 20th century garden design. The seven acre gardens feature glades, groves, pools and alleys which provide settings for some 80 sculptures, architectural salvage, large ceramic pots, a gazebo and a moated castle.
The walnut tree is fairly shallow rooted so it's critical not to plant this tree too deep. Once you've planted the tree fill the hole with the soil and then give it a really good soak.
Joe's favourite spot
Joe's favourite area is in the west patio at the side of the house. He loves the water features and the use of stone. It's a truly idyllic part of the garden which gave him "...a lot of confidence. I realised the simplicity and how simplicity can work".
Top tips from this episode
Instead of using compost the Gibberd gardeners prefer to break the soil up really well.The walnut tree is fairly shallow rooted so it's critical not to plant this tree too deep. Once you've planted the tree fill the hole with the soil and then give it a really good soak.
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