I feel bad telling you about this tomato wonderland, more formally known as the walled kitchen garden at Fittleworth House. Because….. its last opening day for this year was 28th of July. But I’d feel even worse not telling you about it at all…..so that notes can be made in diaries for 2011. It’s 5 miles down the road from Parham with plenty of enticing diversions along the way.
Or if you wait till Fittleworth, head straight to the potting shed urn, then cup of tea in hand, seek out the deep filled cushions of the summerhouse sofa. The lure of the tomato patch would usually be strong enough to move any tomato lover onto the main event… 16 varieties of tomato, planted both under glass and outside. But such is the beauty of this spot it might, as it did with us, take the accusatory rattle of other waiting cup and saucered visitors to stir you.
It will be worth it! Listed on the potting shed boards (the low ceilings and dust mote ghosts whisper of Head Gardeners past…but the wipe boards and magic markers speak of productive plotting) are the varieties being grown this year. Tomatoes were sown on 22nd April and the varieties listed are Sungold, Shirley, Ferline, Ruby, Black Cherry, 100′s and 1000′s, Golden Pearl, Tigerella, Sweet Millions, Fantastio, Suncherry, Pineapple, Big Boy, Andine Cornue. Plus tomatillos. Ruby, Sweet Millions, Golden Pearl , Fantastio, Pineapple and Andine Cornue are all new to me. I tried to get photos of all the varieties but so wide and long were the rows that some were out of view finder.
And whilst the happy hens may have been scratching away as they pleased, nothing would have induced me to place a soil compacting foot on that weed free tilth.
In the vegetable garden the Sussex setting and rows feel traditional whilst the supporting metal spirals and Marigold interplanting add a contemporary consideredness. It’s a garden firmly rooted in place and history but feels forward looking in its approach.
Next week I’ll post some greenhouse pictures.
