As winter turns to spring, we have some changes going on as we rebrand from Hexhamshire Organics to Garden Freyja ahead of the opening of Restaurant Freyja in 2026.
The rhythm of life should be slower during the dark and cold winter months, however, on our farm and with a walled garden to recreate, the tempo is upbeat.
The walled garden is part of the new Freyja project – a restaurant with rooms being built within the grounds of Close House in Northumberland. Bob and I are working alongside the owners, Alex and Ally of Hjem restaurant, and are involved in the development of the building work as well as the surrounding gardens and meadow. We also have the opportunity to recreate a Georgian walled garden which dates back to more than 250 years ago. The garden will be less than 10 seconds from the restaurant door, ensuring food travels metres rather than miles.
We’re creating the garden right now, with more than 250 apple and pear cordon trees planted along the walls – and an orchard of plum, damson, greengage and cherry trees in situ. Extremely large growing beds are being prepared – and groundwork for a new 38-metre, timber-framed greenhouse is underway – which is all really exciting!
Winter weather does not prevent duties on the farm either. We are using this time to reset and the outside growing areas are being reconfigured with fresh compost and woodchip paths. The 10, very large polytunnels are receiving some TLC too with a sprinkling of fresh compost for the growing beds and woodchip for the paths.
It always astounds me how our overwintering crops survive snow, freezing conditions and gales. We have celeriac, a mix of cabbages, kales of various colours, and next year’s garlic in our outside beds. Inside the polytunnels we have bulb and spring onions, spring greens, cauliflowers, purple sprouting broccoli, spinach, rocket, an array of pak choi, leaves and lettuces, and an assortment of oriental mustard leaves and frills.
Enjoy every minute of the early shoots and new colours of spring wherever you are growing.
Ann Paton and her husband Bob run their own farm and are recreating a walled garden at Freyja in the Tyne Valley (www.restaurantfreyja.com).
For more from Ann, visit hexhamshireorganics.co.uk/blogs/farm-updates
