This is a very small part of a kitchen garden which I photographed whilst visiting a stately home and gardens at the weekend. I love the neatness and formality of this kitchen garden with the weed-free nutrient-rich soil, neat rows, and little box plants edging each section. What attracted me to this part of the garden though was the fork – the sign of the gardener’s recent labours; perhaps an onion or two have just been dug up.
I also imagine that I could have a neat little veg plot like this but, in reality, I’m totally useless at growing vegetables. I’d like to have another go but recent years of scabby spuds, wilted toms, and beetle-eaten cucumbers as well as non-emerging carrots, parsnips and beans have dampened my enthusiasm!
The Lantern Room 
Please don’t be disheartened. It’s possible you simply didn’t have the suitable varieties for your area. See what your local garden club/group has to offer. How about even starting with some sunflowers? 🙂
LikeLike
Many thanks for the encouragement Eremophila. Part of the difficulty is that we don’t get a lot of sun in the garden and we also have a thick layer of chalk to contend with. I might try an experiment though and have a go at growing something in pots. That way, I might get more of a feel for what I’m doing wrong after eliminating the soil problem – as it were. A TV gardener – Carol Klein – who I like, suggested growing carrots in pots at waist height or above as it avoids the problem of carrot fly so I might give that a try.
LikeLike
So neat and tidy, gardening in straight lines. Mum-in-law says nature plants higgledy-piggledy, and frowns when I plant things in straight lines. 😀
LikeLike
I like flowers higgledy-piggledy – set out in natural-looking drifts and I do love very informal planting of grasses and tall perennials, but there’s just something about neat rows of veg that I like! I’m not sure why!
LikeLike
nice – you are quite a bit earlier there. I know of what you speak – my garden is shady but I have had luck with herbs and tomatoes in pots. If you get some sun and can move the pots it helps.
LikeLike
Thank you Sheila. Yes pots and following the sun might help. I might try potatoes and parsnips (two of my favourite types of veg!).
LikeLike
It’s very fun to plant vegetables, you know. I hope your abundant crop. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you Cocomino! I remember seeing images of your successful vegetable growing with your children.
LikeLike
Looks like a good start to the garden. Can’t wait to get ours started this year again.
LikeLike
It’s certainly a good start for the stately home’s garden. I’m lagging behind!
LikeLike
I love how the fork is posed in the garden. I have a snow trowel in the same position. What a pretty garden that is!
LikeLike
Thank you Sandy. It’s a very small part of a rather large kitchen garden and it is so lovely. I like the way they intermingle flowers with the fruit and veg – so pretty.
LikeLike
Oh spring ! Gardener’s delight ! Somehow the shovel looks like a sculpture. 😉
LikeLike
The fork is an important element in the photo – it sort of pulls everything together I think. It does look quite sculptural! Thank you Elmediat.
LikeLike
Love the lines and colours. A proper veggie patch!
LikeLike
Thank you Dreams and Zeros! It’s such a well-planned and very tidy patch!
LikeLike
I always wanted such a neat-looking kitchen garden lined in boxwood. Great shades of green against the brown.
LikeLike
Thank you Terry! There’s just something about the neat rows isn’t there?!
LikeLike
Love the shot and getting the fork… you are right recent activity!
LikeLike
Thank you RaeDi! It must take the gardener a lot of time and effort to make the garden look so neat!
LikeLike