The following email has arrived from Susannah. . . . We are tenants of the NT at Clytha Park, near Abergavenny, and for the past four years, our beautiful walled garden, with newly restored glasshouses, has hosted a horticultural therapy charity called Growing Space. Sadly they are pulling out at the end of this month, but we are keen to replace them with any other charity or group who will benefit from the marvellous space. Might you have any suggestions, or be able to post this on your site? Please respond using the comments link.
JULY/AUG 2016 MUSINGS by Maz Gardening Volunteer at Tatton Park Walled Kitchen Garden, Knutsford, Cheshire The Gardens are experiencing ‘invasions’. Several school parties excitedly descend on the Gardens, enjoying their end-of-term treat and discovering the Roald Dahl exhibits staged round the garden. Blackbirds were observed picking off not-quite-ripe cherries from the fan-trained trees on the north-facing wall. A Polytunnel in the Old Nursery and Jerusalem artichokes were flattened by a day of strong wind. The most unwelcome ‘invader’ of all is the annual appearance of the pear-rust fungus, which becomes obvious as orange spots on the leaves of the pear trees. This fungus overwinters on conifers, but as these… Read more »
A visit to Chris and Karen Cronin at Croome walled garden last month found them exploring a new archeological discovery in an old greenhouse. After carefully examining an old illustration of an unusual vinery they realized that it may very well be the ruined greenhouse attached to the hotwall at the Southern end of the garden. Chris also saw that he could prove this by excavating the floor in one corner and, if correct, he would find steps leading down to a furnace. So, armed with pick and shovel he set about the job . . .2000 calories later his efforts were met with success! … Read more »
We are thrilled to announce the launch of a new walled garden restoration in East Lothian here at Gilmerton House Kitchen Garden. Set in the grounds of Gilmerton House, home to the Kinloch family for the last 300 years, this 4 acre walled garden is set on the edge of Cogtail burn near Athelstaneford – sheltered, south facing and peaceful – a perfect retreat for garden lovers. Untouched for over 40 years or so, the garden will be brought back to its former glory involving groups of dedicated volunteers working together to create a new productive kitchen garden, supplying fruit, flowers and herbs to Gilmerton House. We will also… Read more »
MAY/JUNE 2016 MUSINGS by Maz Gardening Volunteer at Tatton Park Walled Kitchen Garden, Knutsford, Cheshire The early May Bank Holiday was very wet, but it heralded the end of the ‘blackthorn winter’, so the following week was lovely and sunny which brought out the Stitchwort, Woodruff, Cow Parsley and Hawthorn along the lanes leading to Tatton, where the Orchard is a breathtaking sight of pear, apple, cherry and plum blossom, buzzing with a variety of bees and hoverflies. The Peach Case restoration is slowly progressing and the Swifts are back. The Team planted potatoes and peas in the Kitchen Garden and weeded the Herbs. Two of us were in the… Read more »
Dear Friends The Forum for 2016, as many of you will already know, will be taking place at Dumfries House in Ayrshire with visits to Walled Gardens of Galloway. It will be a weekend event to be held on the 8th and 9th October. The theme for this year is: Community Gardens and Gardening In 2007, HRH Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, put together a proposal for Dumfries House and the wider estate to rescue, restore and ‘create a sustainable business that would help to regenerate the local economy in East Ayrshire’ (Dumfries House 2016). Fantastic restoration work on the house was followed by the gardens and estate and in… Read more »
MARCH/APRIL 2016 MUSINGS by Maz Gardening Volunteer at Tatton Park Walled Kitchen Garden, Knutsford, Cheshire Bumble bees and pear tree buds were in evidence as another sunny morning greeted the Team. The weather had dried sufficiently to start spreading the manure in the Kitchen Garden, and the last of the old raspberries were dug out and carted off to the burning area, where they will be turned into potash to feed the fruit trees later on. The wooden posts at the ends of the raspberry rows anchored the straining wires on which we trained the raspberry canes. These posts have been in place for a good 15 years – but… Read more »
Tracy attended our recent forum at Croome Court, this covering letter explains what she needs. . . . Dear Sir/Madam I am currently in the final year of my BSc in Land Management at Moulton College in Northamptonshire. My background is horticulture and garden design and my particular interests are garden history and walled kitchen gardens. As part of my course I am carrying out an independent study looking at the current status of walled kitchen gardens in the UK. I will also be investigating the funding streams that are available for their redevelopment, restoration or re-creation and evaluating the experiences of custodians in securing the future of a… Read more »
The Land Gardener invite you to a Vegetables & Edible Flowers Workshop with Peter Bauwens Monday 11 April, 2016 from 10am to 3pm Wardington Manor, Banbury OX17 1SW Peter Bauwens is an innovator in the world of organic vegetables and edible flowers. He has over 40 years of experience as a nurseryman in Belgium growing and researching an extraordinary variety of vegetables and edible plants. To find out more about Peter click here. This course is for existing vegetable growers and those who want to further their knowledge of the best varieties of vegetables and edible flowers to grow for ease, increased flavour and a higher nutritional value. £85 including… Read more »
This year we’ll take the High Road to Dumfries House in Scotland so please make a note of the date. . . October the 8th and 9th. The Theme is Community Gardening The registration form will be available soon so keep an eye on The Grapevine for more details! Susan, Mike, Lucy, Julian and Theo.