Latest Blog Post: 08 May 2008

Spring Open Day

It is true that we all got drenched just as the gates opened, and then it remained threatening but not actually raining, until the sun came out brightly - just as we shut the gates on the last visitors.

But: the keen plant seekers were still queuing at the gates for the best seedlings and were rewarded with many excellent quality, competitively priced and unusual plants. Where else can you browse through so many varieties of mint – lavender mint, ginger mint, orange mint, apple, pineapple, English lamb… all lovingly potted up through winter by the strict Mint Monitor. Herbs, flowers, vegetable seedlings surplus to requirement were snapped up.

The garden looked fabulous, though we say so ourselves, although it is early in the season and it will get even better. The tulips were lovely, held back by the cold and the wet, and all looked neat and full of promise. The treasure trail through the sodden forest was busy, storytime by popular demand starred the Gruffalo, and weet pea wigwams were woven by the brave (and we have a couple of extra ones to sell now, if anyone needs one). (... continues)

The blog ...

In Brief ...

The walled gardens at Chiswick House date from 1682, when they were created by Sir Stephen Fox, boss to Samuel Pepys and financier to Charles II. In 1812 they were added to the neighbouring grounds of the more famous Chiswick House (history ...). After Chiswick House and Grounds were purchased by public subscription in 1929 the Kitchen Garden faded from memory, being left neglected and closed to the public. One day a local resident climbed over the wall ...

Chiswick House Kitchen Garden started work as an association in early 2005, completely volunteer-led and run, dedicated to reviving the gardens and teaching local children (and adults) about horticulture and growing food. We aim to restore the two-and-a-half acre walled gardens to a state of beauty, productivity and sustainability (our objects).

We run drop-in sessions every week, open work sessions once a month, open days for all to come and look, gardening sessions for local schoolchildren during the week, after-school gardening clubs, teenagers' Duke of Edinburgh sessions, green gym digging work-outs, etc etc.

You are most welcome to contact us and to visit. Please check out the latest developments on TDK's blog, make a note of when to come and do some work, or visit the gardens on one of the Open Days.