Feast on the flavours of autumn
10 September 2012
Celebrate the harvest season as the annual Grow Your Own Autumn festival returns to transform the RHS gardens into a wonderland of seasonal flavours.
This year’s festivities, supported by Mr Fothergill’s, will feature pumpkin carving, apple tasting, cooking demonstrations and colourful displays of local produce. Combine the visit with a walk around the gardens to see the beautiful autumn colours and ask the on-hand RHS experts any grow-your-own queries.
What’s on
RHS Garden Wisley (17–21 October)
- Taste some of the 20 different varieties of apples on display from the garden’s orchard.
- Watch cookery demonstrations with Chef Peter Osborne.
- Browse the food and drink stalls selling everything from chocolates and breads to sausages and sauces.
- TV gardener James Wong will be talking about and signing his new book James Wong's Homegrown Revolution on Wednesday 17 and Thursday 18 October at 1pm.
- Gardeners’ Question Time panelist Pippa Greenwood will talk about vegetable growing on Friday 19, Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 October at 1pm.
- Garden designer Cleve West will be sharing his allotment gardening experiences at 11.30am and 2.30pm on Saturday 20 October.
- There will be grow-your-own advice, fruit identification and family fun at the weekend.
- Mr Fothergill’s will be offering a free gift bag to children taking part in the cookery demo at the weekend
RHS Garden Harlow Carr (20–21 October)
- Watch professional chef Lionel Strub perform cookery demonstrations in the outdoor wood-burning oven and fire pit, using freshly picked seasonal items from the garden.
- Get gardening advice and information from RHS experts and other local producers.
- Discover the range of interesting displays from local crafters, wood turners and willow weavers.
- The Northern Fruit Group and The Mid-Yorkshire Fungus Group will show their annual displays and will be on hand to identify any unusual specimens.
RHS Garden Hyde Hall (20–21 October)
- Feast on the colourful displays of fruit, vegetables and local produce such as fudge, jams, pies and chutney.
- See traditional country crafts including woodcarving.
- Children can enjoy a mini farm and take part in longest apple-peeling challenge, apple-tasting and craft activities.
- The Lily Group will be holding a bulb auction.
RHS Garden Rosemoor (20–21 October)
- Get ready for Halloween by carving pumpkin lanterns, have a go at the pumpkin shy and follow the Pumpkin Trail around the garden.
- Learn how to cook delicious autumn pumpkin dishes.
- Watch woodcraft demonstrations, including basket making, spoon whittling, wood turning and carving.