Training facility will open to the public
New horticultural training facility for students is also open to the public,
Plumpton College near Brighton has opened ‘One Garden’, a new, three-acre, free-to-visit facility set to be an important educational resource for horticultural students as well as the public.
The centrepiece of the three-part design is a modern re-imagining of the original existing 18th century walled garden. It’s now planted with more than 300 fruit trees in a wide range of varieties spanning apples, pears and plums, as well as less usual fruits such as figs, to show how they can be trained and grown in espalier, fan and step-over form in a confined space.
A kitchen garden will be planned with vegetables for the One Garden Kitchen Café, while a new horticultural demonstration zone set in a large greenhouse will showcase the latest in automation and technology, enabling students to grow ornamental and edible crops commercially, either for the café or One Garden Market.
The first third of the garden is devoted to a series of themed gardens showing what can be achieved in tricky urban conditions, such as dry shade or hot, dry conditions. Other topics include a pollinator garden, rain garden, medicinal garden, all-seasons garden and contemplation garden to inspire visitors and generate ideas to use at home.
Designed by award-winning landscape architect Dominic Cole, some areas were intentionally left flexible to enable staff, students and volunteers to finalise the planting and finished look. “I hope everyone who sees it will be inspired to see the 18th century walled garden back in production and the ideas showing how they can be grown in a small space,” said Dominic.
For more information visit www.onegardenbrighton.com.
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