Spring at Newick Park Hotel,
My name is Whitney
Hedges and I am the new Head Gardener here at Newick Park Hotel & Country Estate, having taken on the
post in January, Although the gardens and grounds are steeped in history,
everything here is still very new to me, with everyday bringing new discoveries
as trees begin to break bud and flowers bust into full bloom.
We are gradually
transforming the fruit and vegetable beds in the walled garden and have already
begun to harvesting our first baby turnips and little gem lettuces. The chef and
I are also working together in trialling many new micro herbs, these little
treasures are packed full of intense flavours.
The overall plan for walled garden is in
transition as my first task is to establish an aesthetically pleasing formal
layout. The next step is to create a pictorial annual flowering meadow
along the alley of apple trees as you first enter the garden. We have also been propagating Nepeta racemosa
(catmint) in order to create a beautiful bee friendly hedge that will encircle
the herb garden.
At present we are starting almost all of our vegetables
and cut flowers from seed inside the polytunnel, which is currently full to
bursting. Our team of gardeners and myself have been working tirelessly to complete
the garden beds in order to transplant all these young plants outside.
Please come and visit us in our walled garden
when you next visit the hotel. Myself, or one of our gardeners will be happy
to answer any questions you may have.
We will keep you all
updated on our progress on a monthly basis, and so take care until next month
when I’ll be back with more news.
Many thanks
Whitney Hedges Ba Hons.
