26.6.09

QUEEN ELIZABETH II INSTALLS VEGETABLE GARDEN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE


FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SECOND WORLD WAR, VEGETABLES ARE NOW BEING GROWN IN BUCKINGHAM PALACE'S GROUNDS ALONGSIDE THE GRAND ORNAMENTAL PLANTINGS. THE MOVE COMES AMID A RECENT SURGE IN DEMAND FROM PEOPLE UP AND DOWN THE COUNTRY TO HAVE THEIR OWN ALLOTMENT TO GROW THEIR OWN FOOD DURING THE HARDENING RECESSION. THE QUEEN'S ORGANIC GARDEN IS ABOUT 10 YARDS BY EIGHT YARDS IN SIZE, AND IS AT THE REAR OF THE GARDENS IN AN AREA WHICH IS KNOWN AS THE 'YARD BED'. GUESTS ATTENDING THE QUEEN'S GARDEN PARTIES WILL BE ABLE TO SEE HER NEW ALLOTMENT OVER THE SUMMER MONTHS. IN 1918, THERE WAS A VEGETABLE GARDEN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE WHICH WAS USED TO GROW TURNIPS, AND DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR VEGETABLES WERE ALSO GROWN AT WINDSOR CASTLE.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE'S GARDENS COVER OVER 40 ACRES, AND IT INCLUDES A HELICOPTER LANDING AREA, A FOUR ACRE LAKE, AND A TENNIS COURT WHERE KING GEORGE VI OFTEN PLAYED. IT IS HOME TO 30 DIFFERENT SPECIES OF BIRDS AND MORE THAN 350 DIFFERENT WILD FLOWERS AND PLANTS, SOME EXTREMELY RARE AND ENDANGERED. THE GARDENS CAN COMFORTABLY ACCOMMODATE MORE THAN 7,000 GUESTS AT EACH OF THE QUEEN'S ANNUAL GARDEN PARTIES.

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous9:45 AM

    I don't understand Blogger at all. Why in the world would they take down a classy blog like Toreador Masquerade when there are so many others out there filled with far more "offensive" material? Regardless of the reason, that sucks! I will certainly visit this new one and put up a link to it.
    All The Best,
    Hem

    ReplyDelete