Vernal witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis), fragrant dwarf viburnum (V. Evergreen shrubs, such as juniper 'Grey Owl', provide a backdrop for bloodroot and spring-blooming bulbs. Vegetable garden and save some of the previous year's garlic, shallots and potatoes for planting the next season.īulbs and early blooming shrubs kick off spring in the outdoor garden. The Nerries start all their own plants for the Progresses to celery and lettuce in early March, peppers in late March, brassicas in early April, and finally tomatoes in mid-April. After the sugar maples have been tapped, the indoor growing season begins around February 21 with the planting of onion and leek seeds. State Nursery in Boscawen," Michael says. "We buyĪll the balsam fir seedlings locally from the N.H. The Nerries give away about twenty-five trees each year, so every spring, the couple replants at least twenty-five more. ![]() It takes between ten and twelve years to grow a seven- orĮight-foot-tall tree from a twelve-inch seedling. We have a big bonfire in the center of the circle and follow the old tradition of burning our 'grumps' inĪnother tradition the Nerries follow is growing Christmas trees as holiday gifts for friends and neighbors. "We gather together on the solstice with friends and neighbors to watch the sunset and welcome the soon-to-be "This is one of our favorite yearly celebrations," Kathy says. ![]() Sighting ring to enable viewers to correctly line up the tops of the outlying stones to the point on the horizon where the sun sets on the shortest day of the year: Dec. Inspired by an ancient stone circle the Nerries saw in Ireland, they aligned their stone circle to the setting sun on the winter solstice. There are two 5 to 6 foot tall sighting stones outside the circle, and eight 2 to 3 foot diameter, 12 inch tall sitting stones within the circle. Michael has placed seventeen 3 to 5 foot tall stones in aģ0 foot circle. The most compelling feature on this property is a standing stone circle made entirely from stones found on the property. Informal gardens sweep around rock outcroppings and boulders, using these natural features to their greatest advantage. The result is fifty-eightĪcres of ornamental plantings, vegetable gardens, forests and fields (once part of a circa 1790 farm) that have been thoughtfully combined into a four-season sculpture garden. Our activities currently include: Biological Plant Nursery, Educational Courses, Local Land Stewardship, Polyculture Research, Market Gardening, and Consultancy and Design.A Walpole couple gives new meaning to "gardening" throughout the seasons.įor the past thirty-three years, Kathy and Michael Nerrie have worked to create a homestead and gardens on a knoll in Walpole known as Distant Hill. Growing, selling and promoting the use of plants and plant communities that have high ecological and nutritional value Practicing an open source policy, whereby we disseminate our results freely and share all aspects of our work Providing consultancy and design for landowners and farmers across Europe Providing quality education and training to aspiring growers and landscapers Providing working examples of our designs at our sites open for the public to visit ![]() Researching, designing and implementing systems on the ground We aim to develop and promote practices that provide nutritious affordable food while enhancing biodiversity and work to achieve this by: Balkan Ecology Project is a family project run by myself, Sophie and our two boys Dylan and Archie, and supported by the amazing volunteers we have hosted here over the years. Prior to that, I worked as a freelance Arborist in the UK for 15 years. Originally from the UK I moved over to Bulgaria with my family 12 years ago and set up the Balkan Ecology Project. Cherry compote, along with Cornelian Cherry syrup made from the fruits of Cornus mas was one of the first things we learned to process when we arrived in Bulgaria over 15 years ago now, from a special lady named Ivanka. This year with the help of our ESC volunteers, we’ve made some cherry compote, and also some jam. Slight variations in ripening times depending on microclimates and elevation also play a part. ![]() So while we just managed to harvest our main crop before the first heavy rain, other people around the country haven’t been so lucky. Firstly, the fruit sugar content becomes markedly reduced after frequent heavy rainfall, and secondly, the fruit can split and quickly start to decompose. We usually enter a somewhat tropical weather cycle at this time of year with hot, sunny spells quickly interrupted with heavy downpours, which are difficult to predict and can really affect the cherries. It’s been a bumper year for cherries in our region, but there are big differences around the country depending on local weather patterns.
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