Updates
Pleased to say we have managed to get all the fruit (and nut) trees into their positions! This has been hampered by VERY changeable weather which swung between snow and sunshine so bright my head acted as a solar panel for a bit. A massive walnut tree has also been added outside the garden but within the woodland, where it will have a most beautiful backdrop of the Pele Tower and the coast. Bees next, our budding apiarist's are being patient, and today is the closing date for tenders for the walled garden work so we should know shortly! Famous last words???? Cheers Steve
It feels like forever but we have just received the trees for the orchard - with additional thanks to the Great Northumberland Forest Team, who have provided additional respurces. So we have medlar, mulberry, quince, greengage, damson, plum, apples, pears and cobnut (with a walnut on its way). They all arrived safely and we have temporarily heeled them in to allow us to place them in their final positions. Part of the delay was because we have been successful in a bit to the Heritage Lottery and this will allow additional work in the garden to upgrade paths and put in other infrastructure and we do not want to have to move these fruit trees so its taken a bit longer than we thought. But WOW!!!! Thanks to a zillion people for helping!!
If anyone wishes to be added to the newsletter list - please email [email protected] The tower and garden are open from 1-4pm on Sunday 23rd and 30th October before a break - not quite the last chance to visit but things are still colourful and buzzing! If you miss the chance, why not become a garden volunteer? Just get in touch.
Our bee training has got off to a flying start thanks to the mentoring from Chris Allen at Alnwick and District Beekeepers Association. We have 14 recruits raring to go, our first bit of theory training, and all kit on order including three (rather than two) hives. These will be flat packs in order to find our way around the hives (no waggle dancing as yet). Meanwhile in the garden, visitors are stunned by the array of blooms. We had so many donations of plants that we had to open up two new beds! In the small veggie plot, we have grown onions, spuds, sage, radish & beetroot from seed and have had a productive year. Leeks are just about ready too but cream of the crop has to be those monster pumpkins. Just in time for Halloween!!
