Apley Walled Gardens update

I get very excited about the garden at this time of year, when whatever you’ve planted & protected throughout the winter start appearing. Phil Allen has just sent me this update:

Currently sown into the open ground are:

1. 5 varieties of potato – Purple Majesty, Apache, Pink Fir Apple, International Kidney & Rooster.
2. 15 rows of parsnips
3. 10 rows of Spring onion
4. 5 rows of bunching onions
5. 8 rows of radish

Currently growing in the melon house are:

1. 250 strawberries
2. 500 lettuce plants, which will be planted outside soon
3. 800 sweet peas
4. 200 cabbages
5. 5 varieties of tomatoes
6. 150 mizuna – this was my favourite last year
7. 800 celeriac & celery
8. A selection of herbs – Phil’s made me a box of herbs which I have growing here in our London garden, which we use almost daily at supper time

And that’s not even the full list ! eg. he’s also planted various flowers for planting out. I’m getting the children to plant seedlings to sell as older plants later in the year. I don’t know if it’ll ever come to fruition (excuse the pun !), but I feel it’s important to sow the entrepreneurial business spirit in them early !

I will blog again as seeds get sown & plants are planted out & everything gets bigger & greener. I can almost smell Summer coming as I write ! These photos show broad beans & peas growing.

On 2 April, I mentioned that Phil [Allen] was off to the University of Wolverhampton for their Green Week. Catering Manager Derek Maxfield emailed me last week to say that Phil met the team of chefs at the campus & discussed future Walled Garden produce. He commented that Phil’s great knowledge & passion for fresh produce might “influence the chefs further to look cooking alternative varieties & purchase locally. He is an excellent spokesperson for Apley”. Very kind (& true !). The menu of Apley carrot & ginger soup, & Apley rhubarb crumble with vanilla cream, was all very well received apparently. Great news !