EPISODE 621 DUNDURN CASTLE KITCHEN GARDEN AUGUST 2,2022
alan skeoch
aug. 2, 2022
“Alan, we must drive to Hamilton today.”
“To damn hot”
“Best day tos ee the Dundurn Castle kitchen Garden”
“Sounds unimpressive…a kitchen garden!”
“You will be surprised…probably one of the best gardens you will ever see…
full of things to eat.”
“Kitchen gardens are often full of weeds….like the Borage which has
taken over our farm garden. Borage…bah, Humbug!”
“Yes,they have Borage. Did you know it is edible…like cucumber. And the
flowers are a delicacy….accent a cool drink.”
“It’s a weed.”
“Not so. Loosen up, Alan. The garden is nearly two acres…stands on the south side
of the castle at Dundurn.”
“Wouldn’t it be betters of my time for me to try and control the borage at our
farm…stepping on it, slicing it, trying to get the blessed roots.”
“Silly. There is another reason you should go…
At Dundurn, one whole wall is devoted to espaliered apples and pears just
like your grandfathers’ Victorian Garden at Eywood.
in Herefordshire.”
“Eywood was demolished in 1954 just like many other immense estates after
the war. I don’t like to be reminded. Granddad was a very proud head gardener…like
Capability Brown.”
“Ok, start the car…I think you will ve surprised….It will take less than an hour
to get there.”
“Who maintains the Dundurn Kitchen garden?”
“You will see..by he way, the garden tour is free.””
And so we went to Dundurn Castle to see their kitchen garden. It is magnificent…
criss crossed with trails and plantings. Rather starling. Borage is valued. I
thought it was a weed. Bet no reader of this introduction has ever heard of borage.
I must look up recipes.
DUNDURN CASTLE KITCHEN GARDEN
Marjorie is cautioned about seed seeking.
Marjorie found one Elephant Ear, about 3 feet high. Our Elephant Ear has now reached 7 feet and cannot be moved from
the farm kitchen to the bright sunlight outside the farm house. No big deal I suppose but we do have bragging rights
with Elephant Ear enthusiasts.
“One problem , Alan, “
“like?”
“Elephant Ears are inedible.”
“As far as we know.”
“Alan, what did you think of the Dundurn Kitchen Garden? Seriously!”
“I thought it was terrific…worth three hours of our lives.”