Sow the season: With James our Head Gardener at Leckford Abbas

Hello, I'm the Head Gardener here at Leckford Abbas. It’s hard to believe it’s been six months since I arrived at what was essentially a blank canvas, with the freedom to take the reins and revitalise the kitchen garden. My goal from day one has been to cultivate an experience for our guests that is rooted in quality and surprise.

Here I wanted to move beyond the expected and introduce more interesting produce, such as our carrots, for example. Alongside the traditional orange, we’ve planted beautiful white and deep purple varieties. From my perspective, it's all about providing the best possible ingredients. This approach fosters a wonderful, collaborative spirit with our chefs, who are always excited to know what’s coming up next and how we can work together with the garden's bounty.

From the curious to the classic

To keep our menu fresh and exciting, we've been experimenting with unique fruits and vegetables. A standout favourite among our guests has been the cucamelon. These grape-sized fruits, which grow on a climbing vine, offer a surprising flavour journey, starting with the sweetness of melon and finishing with the crispness of a cucumber. They’re a little different from your average garden produce, and our chefs love to pickle them!

Of course, we also celebrate the seasons. Right now, we are inundated with courgettes! I may have been a little enthusiastic with my planting this year, so don’t be surprised if you find our chefs getting creative with them across the menu.

More than a kitchen garden

Another great source of pride is our flower garden, grown entirely from seed. The soil here is so rich, truly some of the best I’ve ever worked with, meaning we can grow the most amazing things. We have a bit of everything, from towering sunflowers and vibrant dahlias to delicate edible flowers for the kitchen.

We love to bring the beauty of the garden indoors, picking and arranging fresh bouquets for the rooms and lounges in the Abbas. We also take them across to our colleagues at Longstock to display for our Chairman and other guests, helping to make their stay that little bit more special.

Rooted in sustainability

Underpinning everything we do is a deep respect for nature. To naturally enrich our soil, for instance, we leave our broad bean roots in the ground after harvest. These roots contain nitrogen-rich nodules that decompose over time, releasing natural fertiliser back into the earth. This sustainable technique is a simple but effective way we practice eco-friendly agriculture and ensure the garden thrives for years to come.

A huge thank you to James for his incredible work and for sharing his passion with us!

If you're inspired to see the gardens for yourself, we'd love to welcome you.

As a Partner or member, you can enjoy full access to our beautiful estate in Stockbridge. Why not make a trip of it? Explore our latest offers to plan your stay at Leckford.