Why the Kitchen Garden is great to visit in Spring
Explore a living piece of history at Hamilton Gardens' Kitchen Garden, which transports visitors to the charm of European estate gardens from the 18th and 19th centuries. Encircled by sun-warmed brick walls, discover how its bounty isn't just for show but is shared with the community, delve into the symbolism, from a whimsical sculpture named Strawman to the native residents like the native tui and fantails. This garden beckons with stories waiting to be explored.
A Glimpse into history
The Kitchen Garden shows what European gardens were like in the 18th and 19th centuries. It's where fruits and veggies were grown for the household. Inside, you'll find square beds with lots of herbs and veggies, all surrounded by tall brick walls that soak up the sun.
Those walls aren't just for looks—they have a job. They take in the sun's heat and send it back into the garden. This makes a special environment that helps plants grow for longer, giving us more kinds of fruit trees. That's why the food here often ripens earlier than in other gardens nearby.
The harvest
One of the most common questions we get asked is what happens to the food we produce at Hamilton Gardens. The harvested bounty at Hamilton Gardens is shared between the Hamilton Gardens Café and a local food charity, ensuring that the community benefits from the garden's abundance. In a delightful twist, some of the harvest has even made its way to the Hamilton Zoo, where the tigers once revelled in playing with giant pumpkins.
Symbolic statues
The Kitchen Garden also has whimsical guardian from across the seas. Strawman, a sculpture hailing from England, stands tall and proud amidst the greenery. A gift from the Friends of Hamilton Gardens, Strawman has become an iconic figure here. Originally, Strawman had a wren perched on his shoulder, but in a nod to New Zealand's native avian wonders, the piwakawaka, also known as the fantail, now shares his perch.
Bird songs
In the Kitchen Garden, you'll probably hear the lovely songs of native birds like the tui and fantails while you walk around. The tui birds are quite new to Hamilton Gardens. Before the introduction of native plants like flax and kowhai, they were only seasonal visitors during spring. Now their beautiful songs and colourful feathers make the garden sound and look amazing whenever you visit.
This spring, make sure to take some time to explore the Kitchen Garden at Hamilton Gardens. It's a journey through history, an ode to the bounty of nature, and a reminder of our profound connection with the plant world. This garden offers a rich tapestry of beauty, knowledge, and inspiration for all who visit.
