Greenhouses in the Spanish Garden

[brendan]

From my flat in Duncan, I can see the greenhouses, that general Manager Simon Pratt told were to be erected, are now taking shape.

As I look out on the garden, I also note that things look a lot better than they did 12 months ago. Give them their due, Mantilla are getting there with their plans for the garden.

[inga]

We're really chuffed with the Herb Garden, as we've had some lovely home-made burgers last night with a little bit of thyme from the garden!

[michael]

Hi - I'm the gardener and am really excited by the prospect of working here and hope to be able to for some time.

I also appreciate the compliments I see on here. I do want everyone to know that I will be following organic practices in the herb and veg beds. Yes I do realize that doesn't mean that they won't be able to be called organic - but that is due to rules that apply to what can and cannot be called organic. I have been assured by my manager that no chemical herbicides or fertilizers have been used on these beds for <b>well over</b> a year.

In the newsletter was a photo of how the vegetable garden might look . :-D
I am starting the plants from seed at this moment up in the greenhouses and it includes - Sweet corn, Indian corn, burgandy okra, yellow summer squash, edible hibiscus and many varieties of tomatoes. Look for these and other unusual veg in the restaurant menu.

Now before anyone worries too much about the look - these will all have either pretty flowers or foliage - I also plan on having annuals in addition for more instant colour. Nasturtiums and Calendula have been started.

Note: The Chives have started to bloom in the herb beds and the purple/pink flowers are delicious in salads or as a garnish in soups, etc.

[michael]

Here are the rules governing me on organic farming:

How is organic food production regulated?

All food sold as 'organic' must be produced according to European laws on organic production.
These laws require food sold as 'organic' to come from growers, processors and importers who are registered and approved by organic certification bodies, which are in turn registered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) or a similar control body elsewhere in the European Union.

Organic certification bodies must appoint inspectors who are, for example, expected to visit farms and check that no fertilisers or pesticides have been used that are not approved for organic production, and that land has been farmed organically for the conversion period (normally two years) before food is sold as 'organic'.

This is from:

The Foods Standard Agency @

www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry/farmingfood/organicfood/#h_3

[Brendan Martin]

Thank you Michael for joining in the dialogue and letting us know what your plans are for the garden.

As you know, the tenants here are very proud of their garden and will, no doubt, give you the benefit of their wisdom when they see you about. But it's all meant with the best intentions.

We look forward to seeing your work bloom and blossom in the months ahead.

P.S. Glad you enjoyed the joke picture of the cabbages.

[michael]

There is lot of work to be done - I feel that it has been neglected far too much recently and hope to be able to revitalize it. I also know that a number of things that we have done and are doing is controversial - but I hope the changes will 'grow' on the tenants.

My feelings are that gardens do need some change to keep them interesting. Having said this - I also hope to bring about a restoration of a bit of the former style to some of the more historic areas.

[billg]

May 12, 2008 17:41:21 GMT michael said:

My feelings are that gardens do need some change to keep them interesting. Having said this - I also hope to bring about a restoration of a bit of the former style to some of the more historic areas.

Michael.

I wonder if you'd care to share your ideas, and listen to or comments?

[Robert]

Plans for the garden, especially from the restoration point of view, sound interesting. I wonder if there are any old photos around of what the garden used to look like?

What are your plans for the Spanish Garden?

[michael]

I am always willing to listen to comments from the tennents - However I'm not the one making the decisions on what's being done in the Gardens. I do take on board any consuctive criticism though.

As for the Spanish Gardens - there will probably not be much done this year - The irrigation system has been disconnected due to it running with out shutting off as it should and causing leaks into the rooms below. However I want a new - better system - and will try to get one installed.
The restoration as I see it needs all the planters need to be emptied and their inside walls waterproofed to a higher level - then replanted with more compost to the higher level.
I will be researching for plant materials that will also be more drought resisitant than the hebes that are there now. The olive trees should stay - but it may not be all the same ones that are there now as many are leaning to one side. Also they may not survive the time it takes to rehab the planters as they may be out of the ground for some time.

I would appreciate it - if anyone does have any old photos of the Chinese Garden as it looked originally.

[Brendan Martin]

Well done, Michael. You are doing a great job. Many of us realise you need time to complete the work. Keep at it.

[michael]

Unfortunately - a gardener's work is never finished.






Oh wait - if it was - I'd be out of a job!

:-)