This year we’re looking forward to celebrating Great Big Green Week at more than 10 of our sites. June is one of the best months of the year to enjoy our glorious gardens, with our visitors having the chance to learn more about how we’re caring for them in a sustainable way. Highlights of the week include clay workshops at Walmer Castle, a pot-painting and seed-sowing workshop at Brodsworth Hall and a willow-weaving workshop at Witley Court.

We can learn so much about sustainability from the ways in which our sites were managed in the past. Many of our gardens have a long history of sustainable practices which arose out of necessity, such as crop rotation, water management and seasonal food production. At Audley End, for example, the walled garden was specifically designed to provide shelter and protection from harsh weather, allowing the growing season for fruit and vegetables to be extended.

Landscape Advisor Emily Parker has put together an article on gardening sustainably, looking back through history at sustainable gardening methods and how we can apply these today. We’re excited to share stories like these with our visitors.