Having previously rented an allotment, when we moved to White Chimneys we wanted an area for growing vegetables. I decided on the area to the side of the house, which gets maximum sunlight. Since this is near the front door it is very easy for picking!

We created raised beds using new oak railway sleepers. This gives an attractive structure even in the depths of winter, and the added depth of topsoil gives amazing parsnips!

The vegetable garden is integrated into the rest of the space by surrounding it with attractive perennial borders, seen here in spring and early summer. Echinacea and Verbena bonariensis follow for mid-summer, with Dahlias and Asters taking the colour through to autumn. Pittosporum, Lavender and Rosemary give winter structure, along with the perennial seed heads, and are joined by Winter Aconites in January to begin the cycle of all year interest again.