Christmas Future

 

The Royal Edinburgh Botanic Gardens Christmas light show has become an annual feature.  There were restrictions in force but a sense of extraordinary was reassuringly "normal" this year!

RBGE Trip The Light Fantastic

After a week's delay due to bad weather we made it to the Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh Christmas lights display.

This was better with the interactive music

Yes the trees were still there - and some featured,

A face to launch a thousand ships?

Hot House?

Pointilism?

Psychedelic Botanics

We often visit the Royal Botanical Gardens of Edinburgh, but never after dark....until now.

In the run up to Christmas they put on an illuminated show that stretches right through the /gardens. 

Some features are familiar, but transformed:

Other paths have been given a completely new take.

It is certainly out of the ordinary.

Bennie and the Veg

For the last five Thursdays I have been attending a course in market gardening at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh (RBGE) run by the resident market gardener Ben Dell.  Ben has been sharing his knowledge with a dozen aspiring market gardeners - myself included.

How's this for an autumn scene?  Yes lots of seedlings, some of which we pupils sowed 3 weeks ago!

Ben is the custodian of a 3/4 acre site forming part of RBGE which he runs on strict ecological principles.  The site is divided into 9 plots each the size of an extra large allotment and provides fresh local produce throughout the year for 3 restaurants.


Here's the current state of play in the Brassica zone:

My first impression was one of shock to see several hundred fennel bulbs ready for cropping (I have a dozen - half of which have bolted)

And here's a cheering autumn sight: a field of leeks.

Ben has been generous in sharing his nuts and bolts knowledge and enthusiasm for local produce grown in accordance with sustainable principles.  Not a week has passed by without an insight or transferable tip.   Thanks Ben.

Bennie