On Sat, 14 Feb 2004 15:42:23 +0000, David Hill wrote:

For those interested in walled gardens then this link is of interest

http://www.winsfordwalledgarden.free...co.uk/Wall.htm

I would add that I was taught that a wall or hedge gave 1 and a half times
it's height in protection from the wind so a 10ft wall gave 15ft of
protection.
Also most of the hot beds were planted near the wall, you would get a bed
of around 3ft wide against the wall which had fruit tree trained against
the wall and often other tender crops as these could be given added
protection by placing covers from the path to the wall at an angle,
similar to cold frames.
Then the next bed from the path was often 7 - 8ft wide and built as a
raised bed on the "French Garden" idea that is around 12 inch of soil on
top of what would start as 2 - 3 ft or so of fresh stable manure which
would heat up as it rotted, then as it started to cool then it would be
planted with early crops that would benefit from the heat, and Frames with
"English Lights" were laid over these beds.These were 5ft by 5ft and as
heavy as hell(They were still in use when I was first in Horticulture in
the early 60's, and I have seen some still in use in the local parks
nursery). Beds further from the walls were used for normal growing.


Chicago Botanic Gardens has several English walled gardens. Quite nice
when in full bloom. Nice anytime of the year.