Grow Your Own Goodies Galore at Wisley’s Taste of Autumn Celebrations, 17 – 20 October
2nd October 2008
Visitors to RHS Garden Wisley are in for a treat this October as the truly delicious and delightful event of the season returns. A Taste of Autumn takes place from Friday 17 – Monday 20 October and is a four day harvest spectacular featuring over 25 exhibitors selling fresh British produce, glorious displays from expert Wisley teams, cookery demonstrations, children’s activities – and some spooky sights in preparation for Halloween.
Special Displays from Wisley Garden Teams and Exhibitors
Following a triumphant year at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in the summer, the Fruit and Trials team will be exhibiting an ‘Eat the Ancestors’ themed apple display. Featuring only some of over 700 different varieties grown in the Orchard at Wisley, visitors can see the types of apples once eaten by Romans, Victorians and the most common varieties we enjoy today. Apple tasting, apple identification and guided walks of the Fruit Field will take place daily. Guests can also purchase their very own apple tree to take home from the Plant Centre.
The Grow Your Own Veg campaign, sponsored by NS&I, continues to gather pace and offer visitors plenty of advice and inspiration on how to make a start on their own garden crop for 2009.
Jim Arbury, Fruit & Trials Superintendent at Wisley says, “A Taste of Autumn, like the traditional harvest festival, is a celebration of a year’s hard work in the garden. The revival in growing your own food over the last couple of years has been phenomenal, and come next year, we hope to encourage the nation to champion fruit as the new ‘grow your own‘ ingredient of British gardens, window sills and allotments.”
Displays will feature leeks, aubergines, sweet potatoes and butternut squash, as well as coloured cauliflowers. Members of the garden will also be on hand to offer tasty samples of sweet potato and butternut squash soup and further autumn goodies will be on offer in the Cafés.
A spooky Witch’s Kitchen, staged by the Woody Team, marks the beginning of the Halloween Celebrations in the Garden and will feature displays exploring medicinal and magical herbs and plants, complete with cauldron and creepy decorations.
Delicious Samples to Taste
Inside the Taste of Autumn marquee visitors will once again find local producers providing a treat for the senses. Increased this year to 28 local exhibitors, each will offer visitors the opportunity to sample and purchase delicious products such as cider, cheese, wine, breads, nuts, ales, cakes, chocolate, jams, honey and much more.
Demonstration Theatre
Back by popular demand, the Demonstration Theatre allows visitors to get to meet the RHS Fruit and Vegetable experts. In addition, the Taste of Autumn demonstration team this year boasts Terry Price, Wisley’s own Head Chef from Company of Cooks, Betty Dominey from the Surrey WI, Plumpton College (makers of the Wisley Wine using Wisley grapes) and Tony Stanton from Hogs Back Brewery, Tongham. All will be offering samples to taste.
Lots of family fun too
Indoor and outdoor events are on hand for all ages. On all four days pumpkin carving will be located in the TOA marquee children’s area along with autumnal arts and crafts.
Visitors can also stretch the legs and try out the new Ornamental Autumn Trail around the garden, taking in delights such as fruits, berries, seed heads, late flowers and leaf colour.
The Marquees and all activities are free with normal entry to the garden. Admission to the garden is free to RHS members, is £8 for adults and £2 for children aged 6-16 years of age. Entry is free for those under 6.