Natures very own gym, Heligan is the perfect place to explore nature’s bounty as well as to reap the health benefits of ‘green exercise’.
So the Lost Gardens has created two January walks to enable visitors in ‘turning a new leaf’ and adventure around the Heligan Estate with on walks designed to boost health and reconnect with nature!
The Nature Walk takes a journey around the estate and gardens, sharing gems of fascinating information about ancient trees and pointing out Heligan’s abundant wildlife.
The Family Welly Walk invites participants get their wellies on and enjoy a good stomp around. There will be playful moments highlighted along the route as well as favourite puddles and streams to jump and splash in!
Walk information and a map are available from Reception or the Ticket Office and both walks have short cuts for anyone finding the full walk too taxing. Free with admission.
January is also HELIGAN SOUP MONTH, so after an invigorating walk, visit the Heligan Kitchen for a nutritious soup. There will be 3 seasonal soups a day, including Celeriac & Saffron, Leek & Potato and Beef Goulash. Heligan Soups are available throughout January 12pm- 2.30pm, and cost £5.50 including a Heligan home-baked roll or cheese scone.
Meanwhile… back in the garden…
Top Tips for Gardeners this winter, from Nicola Bradley, Heligan Head of Gardens
1: Get mulching!
Mulch your garden beds at this time of year. It has so many benefits… A mulch will supress weeds, help warm the soil up, help to retain moisture, add nutrients and eventually improve the soil structure. Apply a good thick layer several inches deep, ensuring you leave a bit of space around the base of the plants. Mulch is made up of well-rotted organic matter, which comes in many forms. This can be bought in but best of all make you own garden compost, which leads me to Top Tip number two!
2: Get composting!
Create a compost bay if you have space. There is lots of information and advice online how to do this simply and successfully. This is a great way to recycle your garden waste and use it to return lots of goodness back into the soil. If you only have a small space you can use a compost bin and add some of your kitchen waste too. It’s surprising how much compost you can produce this way.
3: Keep it tidy
During the wet, cold winter months we always take time to have a really good tidy up ‘Back of House’. Glasshouses are cleaned, sheds cleared and tidied, tools mended and oiled. Labels re painted, canes counted, bundled and stored, pots cleaned etc. Not only is it incredibly satisfying to look at these loved and cared for spaces, it also encourages good hygiene for growing plants on next year. You know exactly where everything is and that it’s in good working order… giving you a head start on the year ahead!
4: Health check
Now is a good time to check for any damaged, diseased or badly placed stems on your deciduous trees and shrubs. This can often be hard to spot earlier in the year when the plants are in full leaf. Now the leaves have dropped you can see much more clearly what pruning needs to be carried out.
5: Planning ahead
If you are planning on growing vegetables in your garden next year it’s a good idea to plan a crop rotation for your plot, no matter how small. Make a note each year of what you grow where… it’s easy to forget by the time another year comes around! Avoid growing the same crops in the same place for ideally about 4 years. This keeps your soil healthy and prevents a build-up of pests and disease. This is the perfect time to check out all the new seed catalogues too as you plan what you will grow in the year ahead.
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