Building the Global Growth Vegetable Garden

See the month by month development of how this fascinating garden feature took shape at Hyde Hall

Global Growth Vegetable Garden with flowering borders

The Global Growth Vegetable Garden, sponsored by Witan Investment Trust, was designed by Suffolk-based garden and landscape designer Xa Tollemache, and has a circular design to symbolise a globe with four quarters, representing Europe & the Middle East, Asia, North & Central America, and South America. At its centre is a bespoke octagonal glasshouse manufactured by Hartley Botanic and will grow every day, exotic and ornamental vegetables from around the world. Planted in a combination of ground-level and raised beds, we will be testing growing tender edibles in the dry Essex climate, to see how they develop. 

Surprising edibles, such as hosta leaf tips, the tubers of cannas and dahlias, and Hemerocallis flowers will be grown across the garden. Other intriguing crops are Cyperus esculentus (tiger nuts), with coconut-flavoured edible tubers, and Decaisnea fargesii, commonly known as the blue bean shrub due to its curious seed pods. The garden will inspire visitors to experiment with all types of edibles at home and in their communities. Discover ten interesting edibles we're growing in the garden.

The site of the Global Growth Vegetable Garden has been transformed since work started in early spring and we have followed its progress through to completion.  

This is just one of the projects happening at Hyde Hall, to develop parts of the garden for future visitors to experience and enjoy. 


March 2017


Before work starts in the garden
View across the garden bordersSharp sand placed on the borders
Moving sharp sand using a wheelbarrowPlanted borders following the curved path

Work started to shape the area, cut out borders and re-develop the existing infrastructure. The view down into the garden shows us where the garden began to take shape, through the planted borders. Sharp sand was placed using wheelbarrows, around the circular design, with planting placed around the edges of the paths. 


April 2017

 
Preparing the soil with heavy machinery
Digging in green manureWorking on the foundations for the glasshouse
Workman constructing the glasshouse foundationsPlanting camassia cusickii

Soil was prepared using heavy machinery and green manure was dug into the borders. Workmen started to construct the walls and foundations for the glasshouse. Planting continued across the garden, including the addition of Camassia Cusickii and other varieties. 


May 2017

 
Feeding the soil with bone meal
Mulching the new bordersJerusalem artichokes planted with support stakes
The borders set out in the circular designThe walls and foundations for the glasshouse

The soil was fed with bone meal and the borders were mulched, particularly around planting. Jerusalem artichokes, amongst other vegetables, were planted and support stakes added into the ground-level beds. The walls and foundations for the glasshouse were finished, ready for further construction. 


June 2017

 
The octagonal glasshouse frame is built
Panes of glass added to the roofRaised wooden planters
Plants starting to fill a ground-level borderFlower beds with the glasshouse in the distance

The octagonal glasshouse frame was built and the glass panes were added to the roof. The ground-level beds and raised wooden planters were full of more mature vegetables, giving the space its formal vegetable garden structure. The view down into the garden shows flower beds full of colour and the roof of the new glasshouse pointing above the foliage, giving visitors a glimpse of the garden beyond. 

New developments at Hyde Hall

As part of our Strategic Investment Programme, some extraordinary projects are under way at Hyde Hall.

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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.