The online forum for the Walled Kitchen Gardens Network with all the latest news, events and musings.
Walled Garden Available?
Hi, We’re looking to take on and/or restore a walled garden in the south Northumberland area, specifically near Hexham and Allendale. Our aim is to restore it to it’s former glory as part of a project to use horticulture to combat mental illness and social isolation. Could you give us any advice as to how to go about finding one or, indeed, do you know of anything suitable? Many thanks, Sam Coulson and Jane Pryde.
NOVEMBER DECEMBER MUSINGS
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 MUSINGS by Maz Gardening Volunteer at Tatton Park Walled Kitchen Garden, Knutsford, Cheshire The two Fig Houses in the Kitchen Garden have now been restored, and are looking good. All the weeds that have accumulated in them during the summer whilst the glasshouses were open to the elements have been removed and winter salads and vegetables have been sown in the beds. The Herb beds in front of the glasshouses are also being weeded and restored, and rearrangements taking place. Gales are expected, so trees in the Parkland were being inspected for likely problems. The Team planted at least 2,000 daffodil bulbs in the woodland where the path… Read more »
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER MUSINGS
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 MUSINGS by Maz Gardening Volunteer at Tatton Park Walled Kitchen Garden, Knutsford, Cheshire Dodging the occasional shower the Tuesday Team was let loose on the apple cordons and espaliers following a brief explanatory tutorial by the Gaffer. The transformation of the trees back to neatness was like a time-lapse film, and was greatly enjoyed by the Team as it was a standing-up job with opportunity for cheery banter, which made a great change from several weeks of being on their knees weeding in the Kitchen Garden. Visitors strolling round the Orchard were fascinated by the intense activity of the happy ‘pruners’ and asked lots of questions In the… Read more »
WALLED GARDEN TO RENT
Situated in North Ayrshire, walled garden in need of restoration. Approximately 1.5 acres. Wall intact, 1 door and 1 x 12’ gate (made for tractor access.) Has 18-20 young assorted fruit trees – apple, plum pear etc. A few blackcurrant bushes and raspberry canes but presently a bit overgrown! Site not suitable for allotments. Phone 01475 673305 for further details
JULY/AUGUST MUSINGS
JULY/AUGUST 2015 MUSINGS by Maz Gardening Volunteer at Tatton Park Walled Kitchen Garden, Knutsford, Cheshire Day 1: Scorchio! Day 2: Delugio! With an amazing ‘electric lightning in the clouds’ show late evening. Pity the Show Garden builders digging in round the Tatton Clump, for the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show, held in the Park on a 25 acre site later this month. The weather seems to be hot one day and wet the next. It seems to suit the wild orchids by the roadside, and the convolvulus sprawling over the hedges. Pear-rust patrolling continues, the infected leaves are becoming harder to find. The espaliered pear trees have had their new… Read more »
Wild Beekeeping
A new link on our website gives an interesting take on beekeeping, see below. . . .
The Professional Gardeners’ Trust
“The Professional Gardeners’ Trust provides professional gardeners with the opportunity to learn skills and gain qualifications by funding part-time training courses and short-term work placements. ” See the website at www.pgtrust.org
Forum Update
UPDATE FOR THE WKGN FORUM AT CROOME COURT 3rd -4th OCTOBER 2105 Arrivals commence at 9.30 on SATURDAY, 3RD OCTOBER with registration, refreshments and welcome in the entrance hall of newly restored Croome Court. At 10.00 we go through to the beautiful Long Gallery where Susan Campbell will give an introduction to the weekend, followed at 10.30 by our first speaker. Lunch and refreshments are included on both days, as well as access to Croome Park itself. Lunches will be in the walled garden with our hosts Karen and Chris Cronin.
MAY/JUN 2015 MUSINGS
MAY/JUN 2015 MUSINGS by Maz Gardening Volunteer at Tatton Park Walled Kitchen Garden, Knutsford, Cheshire After the sunniest April on record, May begins with high winds and heavy rain. After 11 years of volunteering, the special needs married couple, Kathryn and Stephen, are moving down to Gloucestershire to be nearer family, and hopefully to find another National Trust property to continue their good work. The Tuesday Team put on a farewell buffet at lunchtime, and afterwards the weather picked up so some work in the Kitchen Garden was achieved, mainly placing peasticks along the rows, and the inevitable weeding. It is interesting the different weeds we get, presumably brought in… Read more »
MAR/APR 2015 MUSINGS
MAR/APR 2015 MUSINGS by Maz Gardening Volunteer at Tatton Park Kitchen Garden, Knutsford, Cheshire “March many weathers.” However, the first Tuesday was a lovely sunny day, but with a biting wind. The hazel and alder catkins were dancing merrily to the accompanying tune of a Pied Wagtail sat on top of one of the walls. March is known as Mulch Month, and most of the Team were in the American Garden, spreading a thick mulch of leaf mould to nourish the ground. In the soft fruit area, March is also known as Hoe Month, and the rest of the Team hoed the large bed of red and white currant bushes… Read more »