New horizons
Just when we thought that the season was winding down work has started on expanding the Kitchen Garden at Harlow Carr.
The estates team have been busy putting drains into the heavy clay soil and taking down a large Leylandii hedge that divided us from the rest of the garden. Meanwhile we’re finalising plans for more fruit trees, rhubarb, perennial veg including asparagus and a permanent home for our trainees’ veg plots. Lots of hard work ahead with all the soil preparation, moving plants, etc, etc...
It’s been a year dominated by extremes of weather – snow for much of the winter, late frosts and not much rain, so huge sighs of relief when the watering cans and hose reel could go away for the year!
Despite all the heat the brassicas thrived with some lovely caulis, red cabbages and gorgeous kales (unfortunately so did the cabbage white caterpillars); because of the heat all the chards bolted, but we harvested lots of tasty gherkins and cucumbers.
Perhaps our most surprising crop was some small but perfectly formed olives on our two new olive trees.
Next year promises to be an exciting one with lots of new crops – watch this space!
Ali Mundie and Amy Lax