Over the last 3 months I have undertook to restore a walled garden. A garden I found lost derelict and unloved, its a garden that Lewis Carol used in the Book Alice in Wonderland. The first book I read. Also not sure if I have told you but my mum was a brilliant chef and my dad a gardener. So this was a project calling out for me, so without a second thought I took on the challenge to restore and loving bring back this beauty. So I have drafted in the help of a few lovely friends and together our project will and has already, produced some home grown produce, organically and biodynamic for naked jam preserves, local hotels, discerning chefs, and other outlets such as Love to b who use all natural products in their wonderful skin care ranges. The garden will also become a venue in its own right. Although a while off from being perfect, we have already booked a number of events. Alongside the edible plants, we are growing cut flowers for wedding parties and empty vases!
One of the plans for the garden is to link it with a charity project “A cook in your Kitchen” which myself and a few friends set up last year. Brief details listed below.
To help people provide healthy home cooked meals for their families
To help people reduce their weekly food shopping bills
To help households reduce their household food waste.
The project will initially be run as a pilot and fully evaluated to test the viability of setting up a self- supporting social enterprise. To train a team of home cooks to go into customers homes and help families develop their cooking, budgeting and recycling skills .To record via a questionnaire survey the customers cooking , budgeting and recycling skills prior to the visit and after the home training session.
If you would like us to grow anything for you or your like to visit our walled garden please get in touch, I love to show you around and inspire you to grow too. Or indeed help with our charity project please get in touch.
Jen X