Plant & Harvest

Grow Your Own Bouquet

2011-09-13T05:20:00.000-07:00

Did you know that cut flowers, in addition to to their cost of purchase, also bear the environmental cost of energy, fertilisers and pesticides to grow them? Many cut flowers have also travelled miles before ending up in shops for a very limited shelf-life. For a natural, cost-effective and seasonal way to decorate your home with flowers, why not grow your own bouquet? With the right planning and care, you can have beautiful flowers in your garden and bouquets to brighten your home for the same initial cost. Our bouquet bed was filled with tulips and daffodils in the spring and is now blooming with big, bright dahlias and cosmos.

Our 'Grow Your Own Bouquet' Bed

For some inspiration, take a look at Alex's arrangement below. He has combined just two or three large blooms ('Big Brother' and 'Caballero' dahlias) for impact with white cosmos for contrast and pink alstroemerias for variety. Don't worry about removing all the foliage - it helps to keep the arrangement in place and lends a more natural look. Finally, tuck in a few umbellifers such as fennel to fill the gaps (umbellifers are great for attracting nectar-loving insects to your garden, so they serve a dual purpose!).

A 'Grow Your Own Bouquet' Arrangement

Even though Autumn is upon us, you can get planting now to ensure that you have some beautiful blooms for your Spring bouquet. Visit our Bulb Shed for colourful daffodil and tulip bulbs, or ask one of our gardeners for other suggestions for your own home-grown bouquet.

Our 1st Chilli Fest a Hot & Spicy Success!

2011-09-02T02:17:00.000-07:00

Well, the weather may not have represented the best of the summer, though things heated up at Plant & Harvest with chilli tastings, chilli specials on our Café menu and all things chilli-related.

First of all, we would like to congratulate Cameron Phillips as the winner of our Chilli Growing Competition with his home-grown 12cm red chilli.

Cameron Phillips, winner of our Chilli Growing Competition

Cameron gets to take home the GIANT jar of Tracklements Chilli Jam for him and his family to enjoy over the coming weeks (or perhaps months!).

In addition to Tracklements and their ever popular Chilli Jam, we had over 40 chilli products for everyone to sample over the three day Bank Holiday Weekend - from mild & flavourful chilli jellies to hot scotch bonnet sauce, chilli crisps, chilli-infused cheese and even chilli chocolate. Our Café served up Chris' homemade Roasted Tomato, Red Pepper & Chilli Soup, Chilli Jam toasties, Nachos platters and Vanessa's homemade Chilli Chocolate Brownies.

Chilli Sampling Station

A big thank you to our producers, Gina from Tracklements, Ian from Treflach Farm and Chris from St.John & Dolly's Pickles for attending and sharing their stories with our customers. We hope to do it all over again next year! Please visit our Facebook page to see more photos from the event.

New Solo Artist Exhibit in the Grapehouse Gallery

2011-08-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to welcome for the first time at the Grapehouse Gallery the artwork of Sally Fisher. Sally is a painter/illustrator as well as an art teacher. You'll be surprised by the versatility of her style, which includes sketches, oil on canvas, watercolour and colour illustrations.

Artwork by Sally Fisher

In addition to her original framed works, you'll be able to purchase prints and art cards. Sally plans to do some drawing and painting in our garden and cafe during her exhibit and is happy to meet and chat with folks while she is at work.

Why not come down for a browse and enjoy an espresso coffee or pot of tea in our newly refurnished Grapehouse whilst you're here. Sally's artwork will be on display and for sale until October 17, 2011.

Read more about our Grapehouse Gallery on our website.