OUR KITCHEN GARDEN – GREEN THOUGHTS IN A GREEN SHADE
We are enjoying our kitchen garden and seeing at first hand how nature and plants respond so vigorously to the warmth and rain of Spring.
Although everything around us seems early and in a rush this year because of the sun and sudden, all too brief, life-giving, rain (as if sensing a dry year ahead?), we had to be cautious in planting because of our micro-climate, as heavy frosts, so unexpectedly and often late, can tumble down the steep slopes of Richmond Hill, right on to us, when plants are at their most tender and vulnerable.
Still, much of the planting for this year, seeds germinated by us and plugs, is in the ground, establishing itself well and responding to the weather strongly. It’s like watching a film at 10X speed!
The chefs are already gathering every morning and afternoon for the kitchen.
The garden provides a calm, sheltered, productive and healing place, with East, South and West sun and light and places of shade.
It offers enthusiasm for the whole team:
kitchen team gathering to plant, to tend, to harvest
the pleasure of experimenting and learning
knowing nothing wrong has gone into the soil, or on the plant, that the vast hidden life in a spoonful of soil, under stones, in bits of wood, in the shade of the trees and shrubs can thrive, safe from us, from herbicides, fertilisers, pesticides
Knowing we are nourishing nature, as well as gathering nourishing ingredients for our guests
team breaks in sun and dappled shade, surrounded by so many shades of green, with splashes of bright colour, whether the sky be blue, or grey
watching butterflies and other pollinators, attracted by the planting, buddleias, wild flowers
bringing to mind the beautiful words of Marvell, ‘green thought in a green shade’, rich in meaning and a balm for troubled times.
We are inspired to have a garden at one with the nature that encircles us, sitting in the midst of some of the most expansive, distinctive and varied landscape in the whole of London.
It remains, of course, and always will, a ‘work in progress’, with lots more plans and small initiatives around all our gardens. More on our plans and progress soon.
For us, every season has its own magic. Here at The Dysart Petersham, the subtle shifts in sunlight, shadow, and sky arrive quietly, only to mature suddenly. These changes bring …
This is the second in our series on living thoughtfully, responsibly, well — the principles that guide life and work at The Dysart Petersham. They shape how we think, what …
Over the rest of this year and over the Winter months we are planning a series of articles about the importance we attach to our values, summed up as ‘living …
OUR KITCHEN GARDEN – GREEN THOUGHTS IN A GREEN SHADE
We are enjoying our kitchen garden and seeing at first hand how nature and plants respond so vigorously to the warmth and rain of Spring.
Although everything around us seems early and in a rush this year because of the sun and sudden, all too brief, life-giving, rain (as if sensing a dry year ahead?), we had to be cautious in planting because of our micro-climate, as heavy frosts, so unexpectedly and often late, can tumble down the steep slopes of Richmond Hill, right on to us, when plants are at their most tender and vulnerable.
Still, much of the planting for this year, seeds germinated by us and plugs, is in the ground, establishing itself well and responding to the weather strongly. It’s like watching a film at 10X speed!
The chefs are already gathering every morning and afternoon for the kitchen.
The garden provides a calm, sheltered, productive and healing place, with East, South and West sun and light and places of shade.
It offers enthusiasm for the whole team:
We are inspired to have a garden at one with the nature that encircles us, sitting in the midst of some of the most expansive, distinctive and varied landscape in the whole of London.
It remains, of course, and always will, a ‘work in progress’, with lots more plans and small initiatives around all our gardens. More on our plans and progress soon.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Related articles
Celebrating Autumn: Seasonal Dishes, Garden Harvest & Celtic Culinary Traditions
For us, every season has its own magic. Here at The Dysart Petersham, the subtle shifts in sunlight, shadow, and sky arrive quietly, only to mature suddenly. These changes bring …
From Earth to Plate: Putting Our Principles of Living Thoughtfully, Responsibly, Well into Practice
This is the second in our series on living thoughtfully, responsibly, well — the principles that guide life and work at The Dysart Petersham. They shape how we think, what …
REFLECTIONS ON OUR VALUES OF ‘LIVING THOUGHTFULLY, RESPONSIBLY’, WELL PUTTING THEM INTO PRACTICE
Over the rest of this year and over the Winter months we are planning a series of articles about the importance we attach to our values, summed up as ‘living …