free open day at all four of the RHS gardens.

[Widgetgirl]

Went to Wisley, had a good day but boy was it ever busy!

[bazzaboy]

Harlow Carr 'vegday' 7th March 2009 (Part 1 of 2)

Yup, went to the RHS Harlow Carr, North Yorks, ‘Veg Day’ yesterday (7th March 09) as noted above, didn’t meet any other Grapes but did remember to take the camera this time so a few snaps (if I can get them to attach...):
1. HC Board
2. HC Entrance
3. HC General
Although these snaps don’t show many people it was in fact quite crowded (car parks full, long queues for coffee etc). Harlow Carr is a pretty site developed on a valley so with several levels and many signs of new developments and investment in new buildings, greenhouses etc. One of the locals I chatted to said it hadn’t been anything very special until recently but was now undergoing serious development and was much improved.

Photos of Kitchen Garden overloading the system so see separate message in Part 2 below. b.

[bazzaboy]

Harlow Carr 'vegday' 7th March 2009 (Part 2 of 2)

After a general wander we concentrated on the veg areas. The “guided walks around the kitchen garden” were already fully subscribed but you could just tag along anyway (see photographs HC raised veg beds 1-3 below). They were undergoing complete renovation and expansion, the old (smaller) veg area now entirely replaced by a much larger area given over to raised beds (using the Marmax system).

Queues for coffee too long for the impatient so we went into Harrogate... but I guess RHS will be pleased with the turnout to their free days. b.

[yoanbob]

bazza boy, you got my car, lol, but not me.

[bazzaboy]

LOL... duh! Nice car....! We arrived just about the time you were leaving Yoanbob. If we do it again we should agree a place and time for a photocall and seed=swop.... Interesting if you've compared the Wisley photographs, that site is SO much more developed than H.C. But I enjoyed the visit - first time I've been to HC though quite a regular to Harrogate and York - and will go again to see what they manage with those bare raised veg beds.... b.