Walled kitchen garden brimming with activity

By Victoria Plum

I got to Salle Park early on Sunday 24 July for the opening of the gardens for the National Garden Scheme (NGS) because the weather was so hot.

The guide you need is the “Yellow Book”, the handbook for the NGS. (I have seen copies of the other The Yellow Book, famously connected with Oscar Wilde and Aubrey Beardsley, in the library at the UEA, a very different publication.)

The scheme relies on keen gardeners of interesting gardens being kind enough to open them, occasionally, to the paying public.

Proceeds go to NHS charities and a colossal amount of money is raised this way. In fact, a few years ago the Reepham & District Gardening Club enjoyed an interesting talk from the Norfolk organiser of the scheme.

I was keen to see the Salle walled garden as traditionally the microclimates created in such an enclosure ensured a longer growing season and the ability to grow exotic or difficult produce to feed those at the “Big House” when it wasn’t so easy to pop along to Waitrose.

The gardeners now employ a no-dig policy, and signs explained the pros (several of those) and cons (not many) of the system. A good mulch is the key, of course.

Many new heritage orchard trees have been planted. This country lost countless orchards when they became unappreciated and uneconomic with the onslaught of Golden Delicious apples from France when the UK joined what used to be called the Common Market in 1973.

There is an ice house – we wanted to get in it because the day was so hot, but sadly it was locked.

The formal topiary in front of the house looked impressive, the rose beds, too, though of course nothing can look at its very best after such a succession of hot days.

The walled garden is open for visits on the first Tuesday of August and September, from 10 am – 3 pm. Entry is just £3 and the gardeners will answer your queries. Keep an eye out for the signs.

Tuesday 16 August at 7.45 pm sees the gardening club’s summer show and social evening.

Yes, there will be a quiz, and it’s worth coming along just to see the entries in the novelty-shaped vegetable competition. It is a light-hearted and diverting evening.

Competition can be fierce but has not led to anyone’s car tyres being let down – yet!

Pictured: Walled kitchen garden at Salle Park. Photos: Tina Sutton