More and More Seeding and Planting Out

May 9, 2025

Hello Everyone,

We are now into the last month of the season of Spring yet it seems that Winter was just last week! Well, the weather made it feel it was Winter. We still have the fire on in the house as, on our return, we are freezing. We tend to be warm while working but need a hug of warmth back home. This weekend and hopefully from now on, the temperature picks up and the shorts can be put back on.

The last week has been another week of seeding and planting…

The Farm

A very busy week of more planting out. As you can see from above, a selection of seven varieties of Potatoes have been placed into two of the outside beds. Along with the two varieties already planted (not long till these will be ready for harvesting), Chef Alex will have a good lot of tatties to choose from for his kitchen.

We have also planted the next batch of Kohl Rabi, Romanesque and Celery in outside beds. Inside the polytunnels, some beds have been cleared of Winter Spinach, Chard and Leaves. These beds are now available for more Summer fruiting crops of Aubergines, which have been planted, Cucumbers, Gherkins, Cucamelons, Peppers and Chillies which are about to enter the tunnels. Once these vegetables are all planted out, every bed within the tunnels will be full of goodies.

More goodies are going out into the outside growing beds of the Pond Field…more Onions, Leeks, Autumn Cabbages, Red Cabbages, Courgettes, Squash, Sweetcorn, Fennel and Lettuces. This field will soon, also be “chockablock” full of gorgeous vegetables.

I feel that I have been chatting, for the last few weeks, quite one dimensionally…planting, planting, planting. I am not going to apologise because this time of the year is just all about the planting for us gardeners. Time is spent sowing, then it is all about the planting. There is quite a gardening science to consider when planting: firstly, the ground has to be “prepped”; next decisions are made as to the spacing of the individual plant- is it six inches, eight, twelve or eighteen inches between each plant; then is the plant watered from above or below (generally tall plants or flowering plants tend to be watered from below); finally, does the plant need any form of protection for instance a fleece cover to protect from pesky pigeons. Considerations for planting are really important.

The Farm, as I did say last week, is looking lush, fresh and full. The beds are full. This is a gardener’s dream, having worked to create little plugs of plants, then to watch them grow is such a pleasure. The Herb Gardens are also a delight to see, as you can see for yourself below. They are filling with the various colours of green and pretty flowers. Both Herbs and Flowers are taken by the kitchens we supply. They are an integral part to the final visual of the Chefs dish. Not only does it have to taste delicious the dish must look enticing. The smell, which wafts from the freshly cut Herbs, is absolutely gorgeous. Sometimes I feel the smell can be much better than the taste.

So, the Farm is busy with the tasks but with the desired results…vegetables and herbs galore.

The Walled Garden

As I mentioned last week, we have been waiting on a delivery of bricks. Not the common red bricks which houses are made with. These bricks are specific bricks which match the North wall of the Walled Garden. They are a light coloured brick which have been passed as “AOK” for use in the Walled Garden. See the exciting (Ha!) picture of the bricks below. The planners and English Heritage are carefully watching our progress to ensure that the planning conditions are met. The bricks arrived last Wednesday and next week they will be used to build the wall which will be at the front of the Greenhouse. Exciting progress.

We continue to water all the trees and fruit bushes. As much as we would like good weather to help with growth, all the plants here in the Garden (and at the Farm) would enjoy a drink from the sky. Below ground, at about eight inches below, is quite wet. The top layer of the ground is very dry. It is here, where the new fresh roots are, which needs a good soak. When freshly planted, plant roots are quite close to the surface and it is here that water is required to ensure the plants grow and establish.

The grass has been cut, yet again. This is a weekly task at this time of the year. Time consuming but essential.

The YouTube Channel

Thank you for following our progress on YouTube and Instagram. Insta is giving you a regular running commentary as to what is happening. I do my best to keep you all up to speed with our ‘planting’ and everything else which occurs. YouTube will give you a great visual as to our progress with top tips and explanations as to how WE garden here on the Farm and Walled Garden. You may be new to gardening or just want to see how someone else gardens. I do not believe there is a true method for gardening…this is how Bob and I have decided to grow, using Organic Principles and a No-Dig Mulch Method. Enjoy.

This week watch is about Planting Out Tomatoes, click the photo below to go to the Episode.