First crop

I cropped for the first time this year which got me really excited about the growing season ahead.

At Heale we had forced some of our Rhubarb. Forcing is the term used to make the plant grow quicker than usual in high temperatures and without light. This results in the stems of the Rhubarb growing tender and tall with the most amazing out of this world colour. The stems shocking pink and the leaves bright, gaudy, acidic yellow. The Rhubarb crown is mulched (for feeding purposes) and covered with a tall terracotta pot with a hole at the top, covered with a lid to prohibit the light. Usually the stems will be up to the lid and ready to crop in April. This year the plant told us what to do by pushing off the lid last week! "Pick me now, I am ready to eat".

We still have the robust Kale going from last season, beautiful to look at and to eat. 'Red Russian' is looking the best it has since sowing actually. It went through a stage of being rotten and the leaves turning to mush. A Winter and cold snap has refreshed it and the leaves that are left are small and beautiful. The leaves go from green to a purplish stem, then sometimes a dark purple on new growth. They are also kinked on the edge, like Rocket, so would be a looker on the plate. The Curly Kale we have grown is so tightly packed, the leaf is almost rubbery. The tight curls give a less refined leaf but once cooked, becomes tender.

It is so good for you, packed with vitamins, especially Vit K and Iron. Worth the growing pains.

The gardens at Heale are now once again open to the public and it is a joy to hear voices pottering about the garden and to engage with people who are interested in what we are up to.

I was lucky enough to spend some time in the Japanese garden last week - a treat. We spent some time weeding and mulching borders. Wet black soil clings to the river banks, matted with Hosta, Fern, clumps of Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris). The gentle bubbling of the water in the Japanese garden, make it a joy to work in. If you stop for a moment and think about the Gardeners who came over from Japan 100 years ago or more, to tread these very soils, it is just magic. Right now, in March, the fine beauty of Prunus Incisa Kojo-no-mai is shining out at you. So delicate, so pretty. Hard to pass by without stopping.