Sheltered by a beech hedge and a sandstone wall, the vegetable garden overflows with produce for the castle kitchen. Cut flowers are also grown for interior decorations in the summer.
Small beds are set out between grass paths. In winter, soil is enriched with homemade compost and leafmould collected from heaps that were specially prepared in previous years.
A wide range of vegetables is grown including several varieties of early potatoes which exude true, home-grown, earthy flavours. ‘Romano’ and ‘Balmoral’ are favourites.
Helichrysum bracteatum (straw flower) is planted in groups between vegetables where blossom attracts bees and butterflies. Later, their flowers are cut, dried in the potting shed, then used for winter displays in the castle.
Rose Castle, Dalston, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA5 7BY, UK