Exploring the magical greenhouses at Cutteslowe Park, with Katie Herring of Cultivate

I HAVE a slight obsession with glasshouses. My dream is to one day own one, ideally in the form of beautiful Victorian orangery where I can while away my days in the warmth surrounded by a large tropical plants. But at the moment my budget will barely stretch to a plastic greenhouse. Therefore I have to make do visiting botanical gardens to get my glasshouse fix.

When I read in this very paper a couple of weeks ago that a 60m by 26m plant nursery with greenhouses was opening just outside the ring road in Cutteslowe park I couldn’t wait to take a look. But as it turned out Jack Lawson – the other half of the Cultivate ops team – beat me to it and discovered it wasn’t just plants for sale but herbs, vegetables and fruit, all grown by an old Cultivate contact Phil Jones. So with both personal and professional interests at heart I paid them a visit.

I wasn’t disappointed. Tucked right in the heart of Cutteslowe Park near the duck pond, through the trees, stand three large glasshouses and a forecourt filled with a variety of plants both decorative and edible. Inside I found Phil among rows of potted tomato plants. He told me he’s trying to grow 45 different varieties of tomatoes including some beautiful heritage varieties. The whole point is to grow a wide range so that volunteers and other groups can come here to learn through training, work experience of therapeutic gardening. As well as the 45 types of tomato Phil has 50 varieties of herbs, 50 types of chillies, aubergines, cucumber, berries and salad. I can’t wait to see how crystal apple cucumber tastes or purple chillies. Phil grows completely peat-free and pesticide-free so, although not certified organic, he works to the same principles.

We really couldn’t believe our luck to have such a fantastic new grower pop up in our area that shares so many of our principles and so put in an order for as much as we could straight away. Not only do I have a new glasshouse to go and visit Cultivate can now stock even more local, ethical and delicious produce, double win!