Our wonderful Head Grower, Lucy Birnie, was featured on Radio Norfolk discussing the achievements and methods followed at the West Lexham organic growing garden.

 

Since Lucy joined West Lexham, she has been busy leading the garden team to success with the help of her sidekick Chelsea. Chelsea joined the team as part of the Kickstart Scheme where we recruited local, young people hit by lockdown redundancy and unemployment. She has since become an Apprentice and has been an integral part of the growing garden development.

 

During the interview, Lucy went on to discuss the biodynamic and no-dig principles applied here at West Lexham. Biodynamic is a method of organic growing that incorporates aspects of astrological and spiritual values. This aligns perfectly with our ethos of giving back more to nature than we take, also known as regenerative gardening. The No-dig method avoids digging so you don’t disrupt the soil life. This is the crucial micro-organisms, fungi and worms that help to feed plant roots.

 

Despite the challenging weather faced this year, Lucy and Chelsea have kept our growing garden thriving throughout the drought. The pair also love experimenting with growing unusual things. This has included toona sinensis which tastes like beef & onion, oyster leaf which tastes like oysters, shiso which tastes like bubblegum and apple marigold.

 

Other successful crop this year has included aubergines, tomatoes, baby leeks, spring cabbage, squash and our showstopping watermelons.

 

As well as fruit & veg, we’ve had an abundance of flowers to pick from sunflowers to cosmos which have often been used to decorate rooms.

 

We still have availability this year along with some great offers that are not to be missed. Lucy invites guests to come and visit the growing garden during their stay to see it for themselves. Come and explore the magic of West Lexham!

 

Listen to the full interview here