Gardening couple Don and Barbara Hall’s small garden is jampacked with beautiful plants which are a sight to behold.
Don, aged 86, says: “We have petunias, laburnums, lilies, foxgloves, lupins, dahlias, geraniums and more. I started off with a few baskets a few months ago. I bought some of the plants then put them the baskets with some compost. Some are in pots and some are in the ground to create borders. Every space I can find to put a plant, there’s a plant there. There’s no space left.
“The bergonias are my favourites. I’ve had some of them for a long time and when they flower they are as big as dinner plates. When they flower I wash them off get them dry by wiping them and laying them in some sawdust or wood shavings inside a drawer in the potting shed and I do the same with the dahlias. I close the door to let a bit a of light into the shed until the next season when they are ready fr potting again.
“They are a bit like potatoes when the pips pop up that’s when you know they are ready to the planted in the baskets. I learned all this by experience over the years.
“I’ve been gardening almost all my life. I used to help my dad Arthur when I was young and we lived in Pelsall. We used to plant potatoes, carrots, peas, beans and just about every vegetable for the breakfast and the dinner table.
“In those days the gardens were very long. I loved digging with my dad. We used to live in Coronation Road, High Heath.
“He would dig one side and I would do the other. We’d meet in the middle and start on the next row. We’d carry until all the garden was dug and planted.”
DUDLEY COPYRIGHT NATIONAL WORLD TIM STURGESS 28/06/25Prize-winning gardeners Donald and Barbara Hall, formerly of pelsall, Walsall) Their Netherton garden is in full bloom. \u00a0
He and Barbara, aged 84, of Abingdon Road, have previously won a gardening competition organised by Bunches & Bows based in Saltwells Road, Dudley.