Winter on the way!

December 18, 2017

Autumn arrived very suddenly here at Headley Court and the summer seems far away.

The orchard has provided many rehab opportunities as always. Lots of reaching, twisting, turning, bending, stretching, hand/eye co-ordination too. Some apples were used for delicious apple cake made by a patient for us all to enjoy during our ‘Ambassador’s day’ event.

Photo Opportunity

Our pumpkin and squash bed has given us a huge amount of produce of all colours, shapes and sizes. An extra bonus from this harvest is the photographic opportunities provided for patients.

We are still picking purple mange tout peas and it is December! They are clearly defying the visits we have received from Mr J Frost!!

Our onions and shallots have all been plaited into long strings, some have been used by patients to make onion marmalade and the rest hang in the greenhouse like oversized Christmas decorations! They have been joined by many colourful strings of chillies.

It’s Chilli Inside

Our chillies have been so productive this year and we have several new varieties. It is always amazing to me the amount of interest, banter and fun these hot little colourful fruits create. The patients have a rule; no one can take chillies from the greenhouse away without trying one…milk is always available!! We will begin sowing in January 2018 to ensure plenty travel up to Stanford Hall to greet the next generation of chilli loving patients receiving Horticultural Therapy.

There have been a few comings and goings regarding our poultry department. We have taken on a further three little bantams who were put up for adoption on ‘Freecycle’. They are very beautiful and stick to each other like glue. Trooper, aka ‘naughty cockerel’ is constantly puffing himself up and letting them know who is in charge. He is still banned from consorting with the ‘Big Girls’ as yet again more punch ups!! Egg production is non-existent at the moment due to the lowering of daylight hours and the unfortunate business of ‘The Moult’. Our poor Bluebelle is almost bald but has held onto three tail feathers and looking very cold. New feathers are appearing thick and fast, just as well with the recent change in the weather.

Looking Towards The Spring

Hortus Loci have been very generous with spring bulbs this year and currently our second greenhouse is providing a home for bulbs the patients have planted in pots. I have no doubt the bulbs will very soon be poking up their noses through the compost.

We will soon be in the grip of wreath making and on that note,

Season’s Greetings from us all at Headley Court.

Carol
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