March 2023
The weather forecast on the news this morning said there’s another very cold snap coming in – I can tell you, I’ve had enough of the freezing temperatures.
So… roll on spring, and fortunately it’s almost here – the daffodils are testament to that.
We planted almost 300 daff bulbs last year, and that hard work is about to explode into colour on the banks of the top patio lawn.
I also find that spring brings guests back to the hotel and restaurants. It’s like we emerge from the winter hibernation between new year and March, rubbing our eyes and waking up to rediscover the world.
It’s great to see people around the hotel, chatting with anyone who ventures down to the potager garden and experiencing the general hubbub.
It’s equally nice when returning guests come and see me, commenting on the huge changes that we’ve made around the hotel, and how much they like them.
For example, we’ve been improving the outlook from some of the private patios, redesgining storage areas to make them more sympathetic to the hotel, and then of course there is the overall garden project.
We’ve almost completed phase two of the project, and will hopefully have all pathways edged by the summer. When there is more than 300m of pathway to edge, that’s a huge undertaking!
Phase three is in planning mode – this concentrates on the ‘back to nature’ and rose gardens. Jason and I have designed rough plans, and they will be finalised soon.
The first stage of putting the paper design into reality will be the digging of trenches for the infrastructure – such as electric and water. It’s time to bring in the heavy machinery.
Something else that is in planning mode is the list of produce we’ll be growing for the fantastic chefs.
Dave, the head chef, and I have sat down to discuss changes to the growing schedule and new items the kitchen wants, such as kol rhabi.
Now, I’ve never grown kol rhabi before, so this will be something new for all of us.
So, as you can see, we’re very busy at the moment preparing for the new season ahead, and very much hoping that your visit to Crouchers is a memorable one, with plenty to enjoy looking at, as well as eating!
Finally, and this is something I’ll never tire of seeing, we seem to be attracting lots of deer at the moment.
Only last week, we counted 12 in the adjoining field, all watching us very carefully.
And, is it just me, or are the buzzards flying very low at the moment? It’s almost a daily occurrence that one of these majestic birds of prey swoop down from the branch of a tree to fly low over our heads.
Fantastic.
So, come on down to the potager garden, have a chinwag and watch the wildlife in action!
~ Tim
