I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree
Joyce Kilmer
At the start of August, Storm Floris left destruction it its wake. In the aftermath it is sad to see many ancient trees so affected. The remains of a Sentinel tree stands erect in park land beyond, as it has done for nearly two centuries. I wonder what it has witnessed during its long life? Perhaps horse drawn carriages making their way towards the castle then cars, caravans, hikers, cyclists and more besides. If trees could talk its comments may well be of interest! Unwavering still the kind tree stands resolute in the long watch, majestic in survival. Look out for the Sentinel tree its welcome is sincere, split but in no way discouraged!
With such thoughts in my head. On September 19th I met head gardener Jennifer. We sat in the midst of lavender listening to trickling lily pond waters while I wrote notes as she shared the latest Walled Garden news.
What of the Autumnal garden? There are two main objectives. Harvesting and a big tidy up! Weeding it seems never ends.
So, what to lose and what to keep?
In the vegetable beds calendula (English marigolds) which flowered so brightly among rows of ‘greens’ have done their garden pest control job and have been removed.
Each garden bed is being methodically trimmed, tidied and weeded while daily harvesting continues. Despite many weather challenges, the fruits of the harvest are manifold.
A varied vegetable list includes tender stem, kale, broccoli, cabbage, sweetcorn, spinach, chard, runner beans, salads, flavoursome non blanching celery, beetroot and the first of the leeks. Swedes and turnips are still small but pack a punchy flavour. They will continue to grow till the first frosts which burst open plant cells releasing a sweetness of flavour.
Parsnips, a second crops of leeks and Brussels sprouts will also benefit from that first nip of frost.
The large greenhouse continues to shelter a prolific crop of flavoursome heritage tomatoes while aubergines and peppers have grown well in the warmth of the small greenhouse nearby.
Potatoes are an interesting subject. I have kept a record since 2021. The latest additions are vivaldi, large round smooth skinned, creamy flavoursome flesh. Boil, roast, mash a good all rounder. Next the old favourite nobbly King Edwards of dry mealy flesh, great for stovies, soups and the best crisp roasters!! Caledonian Pearl is a new variety of salad potato; smooth white delicately flavoured flesh ideal to infuse flavours from dressing, herbs and spices. Dry weather has caused many of the actual potatoes to be smaller than usual however, try par boiling, then drain and roast small potatoes in their jackets!
A few pests and diseases have been a challenge. Potato blight: the first signs are brown circular oval lesions on the leaves. As soon as they are visible cut off the shaws then leave the potatoes in the ground for 3 weeks before harvest to allow fungal spores to settle and the potatoes skin to harden. Club root affects brassicas: recognised by knarly clubbed knotty roots. This does not affect leafy brassicas as badly however turnips and Swedes being root vegetables are not so fortunate. Prevention is by crop rotation and adding alkalis like lime or calcified seaweed to the soil prior to planting.
Then there is the deadly nocturnal carrot root fly, seldom seen, but, under cover of darkness she deposits eggs which eat carrots below ground. Beware when carrot leaves turn red, the beastie has been there before you!! To avoid attack plant carrots in raised beds because 35cm is the extent of flight path height! Alternatively, cover growing ground planted carrots with fleece as a deterrent.
A dry hot summer ripened plums for an early crop which is nearly over but a bumper harvest of apples and pears remains. Already a ton of freshly picked apples have gone to be pressed into Gordon Castle Apple Juice and soon apples and pears will travel a bit further to be transformed into the unique Gordon Castle apple & pear methode champenoise cider.
The bright glow of early autumn flowers persists. Rudbekia, bright dahlias, verbena, nicotiana, echinacea, astilbe, and snapdragon carefully cut by gardener Mhairi then hand tied into glorious Gordon castle bouquets.
Pumpkin and squash, already giants, lie hidden. Honey Bear, Turk’s Turban, Casperita, Jack be Little, Crown Prince ripening in late sunshine. Beautiful squashes with strange names like Uchiki kuri grow in knarled glory glowing with autumn reds, gold’s and oranges. Soon they will be picked, gone to The Potting Shed Shop, or to the café to be simmered into spicy pumpkin soups or baked into pies. Some even carved into weird and wonderful faces, hidden in secret nooks and crannies round the Halloween garden – Will anyone find them all?
On Saturday 20th September, Gordon Castle enjoyed hosting The Walled Kitchen Garden Network forum with interesting speakers followed by Zara Gordon Lennox who gave a presentation on the restoration of the garden. This was followed by lunch in the café and a garden tour with Zara and Jennifer the head gardener.
Numerous events are planned over the next few months including a spring pot workshop (very few spaces left) and Christmas Wreath making, more information and booking is available here.
Gradually over the next weeks things will slow down as the garden is put to rest for the winter. But there is plenty to keep gardeners and cooks occupied. The former gathering the fruits of their labours and the latter doing what cooks do at this time of year. Here are a few recipes to tempt you to buy fresh garden produce at The Potting Shed Shop after a visit perhaps to the café which is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am till 4pm serving a prepared menu featuring seasonal garden produce.
Book a table or view our menu here.