We call a part of the greenhouse our Livsrum. The room is a place where both we and the plants enjoy growing. Here we grow those things that are not really hardy in this area, but that we love to look at and eat.
A Mediterranean feeling creeps in with grape vines, olive and fig trees. Roses, lilies and hydrangeas thrive. The Garden Café is here with lovely places to sit.
On rainy days there is a fire in the stove spreading comfort.
Our grandchildren love to “feel” the waterfall in the corner we call “the jungle”.
In the second part of our oldest greenhouse we grow vegetables and herbs of many types. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and basil to name but a few.
Here we also rear all the plants that we will later plant out in the open. In different corners we experiment with new crops, perhaps Yacon or Lemongrass.
It’s amazing how big some plants become in a single season, despite that this is a simple cold greenhouse.
In spring 2016 we planted 650 asparagus plants in our new arched greenhouse. We have the asparagus in a greenhouse to protect it from spring frosts which often plague us in zone 4-5.
Asparagus is a lovely crisp vegetable which comes just when you long for something crisp and crunchy.
Winter comprises mostly root vegetables from the earth cellar, which by April get rather boring. In one corner of the asparagus house we have also planted lovely autumn raspberries.
We love a garden full of both flowers and vegetables. That is why around the greenhouse and sometimes in the middle of the vegetable beds, we have many beautiful flowers. Here there are perennials and annuals, blooming early and late.
Despite our harsh climate we have found some roses to delight us, but most of all we love perennials of different types.
Everywhere there is something new to discover and wonder about. Certain flowers we keep specially for bees and diverse pollinators.
The snails think the rest are for them, but we have yet to agree on that.
Along the stone wall behind the greenhouse we have a simple herb garden, where the most common herbs are shown in all their glory.
In the years that the sage overwinters well, it is covered with blue flowers, the oregano attracts lots of butterflies and other insects.
On the guided tour you are welcome to sample the tasty Chinese chives and draw your hand through the rosemary.
Herbs are easy and rewarding to grow, they just want to stand in the sun!
Quite a number of years ago, we built a little pond, where the underlying rock can be seen between the greenhouses. A pond for the benefit of all predatory insects and birds, but also to enjoy the mirrored water.
Now the pond has been joined by a little stream from the crack in the rock.
We have no natural water flow just here, but there will be a circulating system with waterlilies, irises and bamboo to enjoy.
Between the greenhouses there is a large No-Dig garden. This way of cultivating means that you never dig or weed, rather refill with organic material at regular intervals instead.
Our No-Dig garden produces a whole lot of vegetables for the farm shop. Some do especially well in the composting material, e.g. pumpkins and cabbages.
Out in the field, we grow everything that is sown directly, but the No-Dig garden is perfect for planting.
The hens have their own summerhouse here in a little apple grove. They can enjoy the protection and cool off under the trees when the hawks soar and the sun shines.
Some of the hens prefer to sit in the apple trees at night, instead of being inside their coop.
Through the window of the henhouse you can see if any of the hens are in the nests laying, or if there are any eggs to collect.
Feeding the hens with dandelion leaves is an activity enjoyed by both the young and the not so young.