MY GARDEN LIFE
Great Dixter’s gardener and cook Aaron Bertelsen
QWhat was your route to a career in gardening?
My love of plants began when I was a child in New Zealand, helping my grandfather in his vegetable garden. I studied anthropology and classics, but I always liked the idea of gardening and wanted to travel, so I wrote to the late, great Christopher Lloyd at Great Dixter in East Sussex to ask if he needed a volunteer. He said yes, and that was the start of my horticultural journey
“PLANT EDIBLE FLOWERS, SUCH AS SCENTED-LEAF
PELARGONIUMS, IN POTS. THE VARIETY ‘ATTAR OF
ROSES’ MAKES A WONDERFULLY FRAGRANT SORBET”
QHow would you sum up the spirit of Great Dixter?
This place has a very special quality, a homely feel like a private garden, which of course it was. The visitors also inspire me. Most of them come to see the flowers, but when they stumble upon the vegetable garden they share their knowledge and tips.
QWhat other gardens have you worked in?
After three years at Great Dixter, I furthered my studies at Kew, then got a job at the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens for two years. I came back here to take on responsibility for the vegetable garden in 2005.
QTell us about the late Christopher Lloyd. Christopher was a lovely man – very generous and a great teacher. He came to the vegetable garden every day – after his cook died in the 1970s, he made all the meals for himself and friends, using freshly picked produce.
QWhat was the inspiration for your new book?
The book is about growing crops in pots to create delicious food. I’m not a chef, but I make lunches for the workshops and study days here, using ingredients from the kitchen garden. I wanted to show people how you can grow a range of edibles in a small space, such as a courtyard or balcony.
QWhich fruits and vegetables are you growing this year?
I have a courtyard in the garden packed with fruit and vegetables in containers of various sizes, which include a lemon tree, aubergines and blueberries. In April, sorrel, which I use in soups and salads, and rhubarb will be ready to harvest.
QDo you have a favourite recipe from the book?
I love the rhubarb gin, which makes great use of this easy-to-grow crop. Once I’ve used the rhubarb to flavour the alcohol, I make it into a creamy fool to serve with shortbread biscuits.
QHow do you add colour to your crop containers?
I grow edible flowers, such as violas, with bright pink-stemmed chard, and the jewel-like redcurrants and berries look amazing, too, both when they’re in flower and in fruit.
QHow do you unwind?
I live in the old house at Great Dixter and our neighbour has a gym in her garden that she allows me to use. I love to exercise and watch a bit of TV to relax after a day in the garden.
QIs there a special garden that you like to visit?
My favourite garden is at the private moated manor house of De Wiersse (dewiersse.com) in the Netherlands. The family who own it have an incredible fruit and vegetable garden. Even though I visit a few times a year, I always come away inspired.
Grow Fruit & Vegetables in Pots: Planting advice & recipes from Great Dixter by Aaron Bertelsen (£24.95, Phaidon); greatdixter.co.uk