The garden at Nunnington Hall

The garden in spring

Cutting garden

In the Cutting Garden we have the vegetable plot and apothecary. At the end of winter and into spring we begin to propagate vegetable seeds in the greenhouse, leeks, calabrese etc and calendulas and marigolds to be used for companion planting. We also begin to chit the early potatoes, when the soil is warm, we can directly sow vegetable into the beds such as early carrots, parsnips and chard. By spring the rhubarb is growing and producing early tender crops under the forcing pots, ready to be brought in to the tea-room to be used in our delicious recipes.

Terrace mixed borders (herbaceous) and Lime Avenue (shrubs)

Early in spring we mulch the borders with our garden compost which has been made from the green waste we generated from the garden. The last of the snowdrops give way to daffodils, Leucojum, Scilla and Muscari… and the new growth of herbaceous plants starts to grow. Spring is a good time to divide clump forming herbaceous perennials such as heuchera and geraniums. Early in spring the strongly scented winter flowering Sarcococca are pruned back as are the white stems of Rubus cockburianus.

Orchard

Not long after the orchard fruit trees have been winter pruned, the apples and pears will burst into life with spring blossom, vital for early pollinators such as the red mason bee and emerging queen bumble bees. Beneath the blossom of our orchards, the wildflower meadows will spring to life with cowslips, primulas, daffodils and snakes head fritillaries.

The Lawns

With the warmer weather returning, the lawns can be mown, cutting high at first and then reducing the height of the grass as the season progresses. These lawns provide a great place for visitors to play croquet or to relax in a deck chair and feel the warmth of the spring sun on their faces.

Rose Borders

Last year was a great year for roses, especially ‘Easy Going,’ ‘Tickled Pink’ and ‘Whiter Shade of Pale.’ In anticipation of another good rose year, we will be pruning them through February, and the beds will mulched with well-rotted horse manure and compost. Throughout the season we will continue to regularly dead-head the roses to keep them blooming through the summer.

Spring Blossom

Our wildflower meadows surround our orchards, which produce beautiful blossom each spring. The Wild Cherries on the river side will produce the first garden blossom, followed by the French pears on the south side of the hall, which will bloom in mid-April, followed by the stunning Amelanchier. Finally, the long-awaited orchard blossom of apple and ornamental Cherries will appear in late April and will carry on into Magic May.

Living organically

The garden has been managed fully organically since 2002, reviving traditional horticultural methods while also embracing modern techniques and technology. You can see much of this work in practice as you explore the garden. This includes such things as a four-bay composting system, a wormery, fruit cages and an organic vegetable patch.

Each year sheep fleece is packed around the base of young fruit trees which acts as an organic mulch. Not only does it suppress the weed growth and help the soil to retain moisture, but slowly releases nutrients directly to the tree roots as the fleece decays. Additionally, the birds, mice and bumblebees enjoy the opportunity of collecting luxurious bedding for their nests.

Relax by the river

The garden sits alongside the River Rye which plays host to much wildlife. Spend a while by the river and you may just catch a glimpse of brown trout, otters, kingfishers and swans.

Accessible for all

The garden is fully accessible for all visitors with gravelled paths and grassed slopes.