September has arrived and brings morning dew, fog and the promise of leaves changing colour. Despite the summer mostly behind us, this is a very productive time in the garden.
The grapes are ripening in the Glasshouse and the Pinot Noir have already been harvested, as part of a very successful harvest party at the Distillery Garden this month. It was a record Pinot Noir harvest which bodes well for next years Pinot Noir Gin and our new Vermouth Rosso. The Chardonnay grapes will be harvested in the next few weeks.
We are still harvesting winter savoury, hyssop, lavender and mallows among other things. New for this month are the elderberries, bog myrtle and wood aven roots.
Another thing we are focusing on in the garden this month is pruning and trimming hedges. We have finished pruning the roses and the beech hedges have gotten a trim. The box hedges are the next in line! We have also been cutting back thyme and winter savoury after the flowers have faded.
Our Garden is not only functional for our Distillery but is also a haven for wildlife: both animals and insects, especially our bees. One concerning conservation issue this year has been the Butterfly Conservation in the UK's declaration of a butterfly emergency this year, with the lowest number of butterflies ever recorded. Luckily, the Secret Garden is home to several species and most of them can be seen around the mint beds and in the polytunnel next to the juniper woodland. Here is a Peacock butterfly on the lavender mint and one of our bees enjoying the late summer blooms.
Until next time ....
Erika Haeggman | Head Gardener
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