Thursday 11 September 2014

Kitchen Garden Notes – The Cutting Garden, Nunnington Hall

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about our visit to Nunnington Hall. Now there is something I have been keeping from you. Hiding beyond the apple orchard and behind the Iris Garden is Nunnington Hall's very own kitchen garden known as The Cutting Garden.

Before we venture into The Cutting Garden I just had to share these grapes with you. They are grown on a wall in the orchard. Have you ever seen such a deep purple? The leaves almost camouflage the fruit. And yes, this is North Yorkshire!

As you go up the steps to The Cutting Garden one of the first things that you notice is that it isn't that big. With this in mind they operate a system of planting known as 'The Three Sisters Plant Guild'. Strangely for a property that dates mainly from the 17th century this is an actually an ancient method first used by the Native American Mayans.

The 'Three Sisters' in this guild are squash, maize and beans. In The Cutting Garden these are represented by courgettes, sweetcorn and runner beans. This companion planting utilises the available space by growing three crops in one space but all three benefit each other and helps to increase yields. The courgettes grow at ground level and help to suppress weeds whilst retaining moisture. The sweetcorn grows above the courgettes and without taking up any more space. Finally the runner beans use the sweetcorn as a natural support. The nitrogen in the beans also seeps into the soil which benefits the other two plants.

Once the crops in this guild have grown and been picked the plants can then be dug up and put in the compost. This is something that is taken very seriously at Nunnington Hall as The Cutting Garden is managed organically and has been since it was opened in 2009. The rest of the gardens have been organic since 2002.

Any organic or indeed just plain thrifty gardener will know that a comfrey based liquid feed is an excellent way to ensure a good and health crop of vegetables. There is a dedicated patch for growing green fertilisers so the garden is self-sufficient upon itself.

There is a fine selection of produce waiting to be harvested. Carrots, beetroot, celeriac and onions are all ready to be pulled up and used in the Tearoom. It's a great endorsement for organic gardening.

With a nod to Nunnington's past the herb garden is known as the 'Apothecary Bed'. Herbs are probably used more now for culinary rather than medicinal purposes. To complete the natural feel to this garden the bench is simple affair made from fallen trees.

When we were looking round the Hall I was struck by how visitors were encouraged to join in with activities. The top floor of the house is dedicated to children and this is extended into the garden. Take the opportunity to make a mud pie or to play some giant garden games.

To complete the kitchen garden there is an area for growing flowers. All the cut flowers for the house can be sourced from the grounds. At this time of year the dahlias are looking supreme.

Now Peter, where did you get that carrot from?



Manneskjur

38 comments:

  1. what a great garden! those grapes look delicious and i love the grass covered bench!

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    1. There are more grapevines in The Cutting Garden itself. I was very impressed how well they had grown.

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  2. I love the grass bench! I bet that was comfy, although you'd get a bit of a damp bum if you sat on it early morning :) We went to a pub a couple of weeks ago and they'd used grape vines to cover the roof of a pergola, unusual and pretty.

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  3. I'd love to use grapevines to cover the back section of our garden but I;m not sure I'd get them to grow well. Aren't kitchen gardens just lovely places to spend time in?

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    1. I've seen several grapevines outside this year and they have all looked very healthy. I don't know how long it takes to get them so big though.

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  4. I love the grass covered bench, that is amazing x

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    1. I'm not sure how it was made whether it is soil, stone or wood underneath.

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  5. We love walled gardens and this looks ace. I wish we could grow stuff like this and had more space

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    1. I know I wish we had more space too. We're on the allotment waiting list but I fear it is going to be some time.

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  6. Love the grass bench and the "Mud Pie Kitchen" sounds spot on for kids!

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    1. It really is a very child friendly property for all ages.

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  7. that is very interesting about the three sisters garden!

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    1. I'd never heard of the 'The Three Sisters Planting Guild' before.

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  8. This looks like a great place to visit.

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    1. The whole property is so interesting and we are planning to go back nearer to Christmas.

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  9. Oh I must get a mud pies kitchen sign fir the garden :-) this looks llike a lovely place x #HDYGG

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    1. It's a brilliant sign isn't it? They should sell them in the shop.

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  10. This looks like a fab place to visit, such a beautiful garden

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    1. The rest of the gardens at Nunnington Hall are lovely as well.

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  11. What a great place to visit. It would be perfect to take children and show them where vegetables come from!

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    1. It's a brilliant place for teaching children. There's so much for them to get involved with.

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  12. I love the grass bench! What a fab place x

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    1. It's a really clever idea and works so well in that space.

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  13. What a great tearoom with freshly grown veg

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    1. I think the National Trust try to do this wherever they can.

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  14. What a lovely garden! Oh how i wish i had one like that!

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    1. I know! I think it's just about the right size for me to manage!

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  15. I'd not heard of 'The Three Sisters Plant Guild' system before. Sounds like the visit was educational as well as lots of fun.

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    1. It's new to me as well. I might be reconsidering my planting plans for next year now!

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  16. Absolutely fascinating learning about the 'three sisters' form of gardening - it just shows how you can learn from 'ancient' techniques to grow plants and produces in a small area all beneficial for each other.

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    1. I love the way they have embraced alternative techniques which are so simple but relevant to the modern day.

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  17. A grassy sofa! Epic!

    I too love that complimentary planting in The Cutting Garden, seems to make so much sense, I must think more carefully next year and see if I can incorporate something like that in my own garden.

    As always thanks for joining in - and the inspiration! x

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  18. what a fabulous garden - love the bench!

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  19. What a gorgeous looking garden! What an escape it must offer. x

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  20. I love how walled & kitchen gardens are coming back - I wish I had one! Love the grassy seat too!

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  21. It all sounds fabulous. I want to go so I can make mud pies with the kids!

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  22. This looks like a fantastic place! I love that everyone, even the children, can get involved. Lovely!

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