Back to the Land

The name Castlegarth has a long history. In Medieval times it meant castle garden or the yards around a castle where food was produced. When my husband and I bought this two hundred acre farm near White Lake village in 1972, we chose Castlegarth, the name of his grandparents’ house in Castleford, Yorkshire. It was rather ironic as the farm was far from a castle; however, the land had the potential for vast productive gardens. We later bought another hundred acres and connected the two farms by renting the two hundred acres between them, giving us ample space for growing food and crops, raising chickens and beef, and encouraging wildlife.

We got permission to plant our first garden before we took possession in June of 1972. It was a simple vegetable garden, more than adequate for ourselves. We also planted fruit trees and bushes. We were right about the fertility of the clay soil around the house and barns, but it took a few years of experimenting to learn what grows best. Every year we have tried new varieties of vegetables in our gardens and often planted new fruit trees or bushes. Nature has helped us by killing off less than hardy stock, but at the same time has provided us with wild fruits, greens and mushrooms. We got a few cattle and chickens, fed them our own hay and grain, and used their composted manure to enrich the soil. From the beginning we decided against herbicides and pesticides, preferring to pull weeds and hand pick the bugs, or in some cases surrender to them. Our son, Matthew, chef and co-owner of Castlegarth Restaurant, grew up in this setting of utilizing, co-operating with and enhancing our environment through responsible agriculture. This pattern has continued for thirty eight years.
 

Main Garden

Our first garden was planted in 1972 at the front of the house where the previous owners had had their garden A couple of years later, we moved it to the edge of the field behind the house where it has expanded to an area 14 m x 120 m. It has supplied our family and friends with wonderful vegetables since then, and Castlegarth Restaurant since it opened in 2002.
 

Covered Garden

Two years ago we decided to extend our growing season by erecting a plastic cover over our lower garden. Our goal was to be as environmentally friendly as possible and so the 6 x 6 cedar sills which support the frame came from trees in our bush taken down by the ice storm and skidded out with a team of horses. Plants in the polytunnel get their warmth and light from the sun and their water from a spring fed pond via a solar powered pumping system. The drip line delivers water to the plants without any waste. The results have been very rewarding.
 

Fruit

We grow the old farm staples of rhubarb, currants and plums with great success. Pears and sour cherries are not as reliable but usually provide an adequate crop. The very old apple trees, planted generations ago, are rewarding; modern grafted stock, however, have never survived here more than a few years.
 

Wild Garden

The natural world around us is a spectacular edible garden. Ever since we discovered Euell Gibbons book Stalking the Wild Asparagus in the 1970’s, we have been avid foragers of wild delicacies. The secret is to take only a little, leaving some for nature, and some for the future.