For those of you who are regulars to Cogglesford you will, no doubt, notice that the area in front of the car park has been transformed into a working garden.  See photo below. 

It all started last October when we prepared the ground by digging and then re-digging in well rotted horse manure. January and February saw us breaking down the soil and preparing the seed bed.

Too cold to begin planting early this year, we eventually started in March with salad leaves and spinach followed by onion sets, both brown and white. 

Then came the watering.  Not much out of the sky so all had to be done by hand.  Next the dwarf beans, which we had originally started off inside.  Perhaps a bit too early though, so time for the fleece.  Good job because the bad frosts would have ruined them. 

Next it was time to thin the leaves using thinnings for row filing.  We are now using the leaves for salad in the restaurant, so watch out for them on a plate near you!   

Whilst everything in the garden is growing, we have had a lot of bird life enjoying the setting too. Pairs of doves, blue tits, sparrows, black birds and further down the river the kingfisher has been spotted regularly and, who could forget our resident duck, sat on her second set of eggs, soon to be hatched.    

23^rd May: first flight of blue tits under mum and dad’s watchful eye.  See photo below.

Please come back to our website for updates on both the garden and any wildlife sightings soon.

Have you visited us recently?  We have a new display in the front garden.  Stepping stones, using 150 year old wood taken from the mill wheel renovation, with planting around them including hostas, alpines and palms.  Feel free to pop in and take a look and purchase some plants at the same time.  We have sold out of geraniums but fuschsias are still available as well as a selection of shrubs, some unusual.  At the rear of the building you will also notice the cut flower beds are just starting to flower and are a very beautiful sight.  Pop in soon for a browse.