David Constable’s Vegetable Garden

In September 2006, I decided to build a walled, semi-commercial organic vegetable garden. Measuring 28 x 14 metres, it was in two parts.

The first part was designated for soft fruit such as raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and gooseberries. The second, larger area was shaped like the spokes of a wheel with the centrepiece being a sundial dating from about 1780 and bought in the UK. As this sundial was made for the northern hemisphere, it does not work in the south. However, it adds a lot of character to the garden. At the end of the spokes of the wheel I planted 4 bay trees “laurus nobilis”. There are nine beds for seasonal vegetables, including uncommon varieties. One of the beds contains asparagus which produces spears annually.

On the inside wall. I espaliered persimmon “ebenaceae diospsyros”, cherry “prunus cerasus”, pomegranate “prunica eramatum”, peach “prunus
persica”, and apricot “prunus armeniaca”.

The outside wall is covered by climbing roses with beautiful, perfumed white and pink flowers: 4 x Mme Alfred Carriere and 4 x desprez
a fleur jaune.

In addition there are 3 mulberry “morus rubra” trees and 3 quince “cydonia oblonga” planted outside the garden as they would grow too large for the inside.