Wednesday, 29 April 2015

The Garlic Farm Revisited (Part 1)

You may remember that I visited the Garlic Farm on 1 January this year and posted about it HERE however it was so busy that it was difficult to get photographs so Colin Boswell, the owner invited me to come back the next time I was  visiting the Isle of Wight and he would show me around which he graciously did for about 3 hours.  So over the next 7 posts I will endeavour to tell and show you the story behind The Garlic Farm.


There is quite a bit of reading however if you wish to know how the Garlic farm started, that is the way to do it.  I found it fascinating.




Martin Boswell







Colin’s wife Jenny also manages to rent 6 cottages with one of their sons on the property.



Colin and the Duke of Edinburgh.


Colin took me to see Norah, his mother who now lives at Parsonage Farm, Newchurch village which is not far a way from The Garlic Farm.




Before meeting Colin at 9.00am, I managed to photograph the shop and all it fantastic variety of goodies.  What I didn’t realise was that most of the fresh garlic grown last year was nearly finished as the next harvest was from June to August so I will make a return visit as I really want to see and  photograph the 35 varieties grown on the farm.









Quite a variety of garlic plants as well as these Asparagus crowns were for sale.





These Gold awards were won at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.


I meet Colin in this main restaurant for coffee although there is another eating place at the Garlic Farm Heritage Centre. 



I do not know whether you can read this however I will tell you more about that in next Monday's post as the whole area dates back to the 4000BC and when Colin and  I later were in one of the garlic fields we made a great find.


I just had to take a shot of my delicious cup of coffee with a garlic design on top as Colin and I looked out of the windows where the Red Squirrels were coming to feed on whole unshelled Hazel nuts.




I hope you have enjoyed the first post in this series of 7 posts as I have lots more interesting information and photographs to share with you.

Thank you for visiting and also to those who leave comments.
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28 comments:

  1. Ginny Hartzler29 April 2015 at 15:42

    Thirty five varieties of garlic? Yikes! Something new I learned. I love the little house! And your awesome shot of the red squirrel! We have only greys here.

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure29 April 2015 at 18:35

      HI Ginny Yes I was amazed as well and I must go back in the summer time to take shots of them! Thanks for visit and comment.

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  2. Mersad29 April 2015 at 16:58

    Really great photos Margaret, I love garlic and have never seen a garlic farm before. The old photos were quite interesting to look at.

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure29 April 2015 at 18:36

      Hi Mersad Here in the restaurant, they put garlic in everythings escept the coffee. They even make garlic beer! Thanks for visit and comment.

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  3. Bob Bushell29 April 2015 at 17:38

    Beautiful images, I LOVE Garlic, yummy.

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure29 April 2015 at 18:37

      HI Bob Yes I add it into al my dishes. Thanks for visit and comment.

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  4. Jo29 April 2015 at 17:49

    OH MY WORD!!! What a fantastic post, Margaret. I love garlic and have periodically looked into planting it for gain (when we had the plot next door!) What an interesting story and your photos are amazing. I love the one of Colin and his mum; the one of Colin and the D.o. E. and also the garlic design on your coffee! And I love the squirrels' play ground. xxx (PS I, for one, cannot wait for the next posts on this...)

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure29 April 2015 at 18:38

      Hi Jo You would love this place. I have so much material that even after 7 posts I still will have more to write about but will leave that to a later date. Glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for visit and comment.

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  5. Irma29 April 2015 at 18:08

    Good morning Margaret.
    I did not know there was so many different garlic.
    The house I love.
    Coffee also looks delicious.

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  6. Margaret Birding For Pleasure29 April 2015 at 18:40

    Hi Irma Yes the coffee was very good and I am so glad you enjyed this post. you will love the eother 6 coming up I am sure. Thanks for visit and comment.

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  7. Anonymous29 April 2015 at 18:48

    It's a cracking place, have been there before :o)

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    1. Margaret Birding For Pleasure29 April 2015 at 18:57

      Hi Yes I thought you had probably been there. You will enjoy this series I am doing on it then. Thanks for visit and comment.

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  8. Tanna29 April 2015 at 21:01

    I would love everything about visiting this garlic farm... right down to that lovely cup of hot joy! blessings ~ tanna

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  9. Stuart Price29 April 2015 at 21:25

    Garlic makes everything taste better...................

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  10. Douglas Mcfarlane29 April 2015 at 22:49

    Fascinating read of the history of the farm. I really like the photo of Nora with the cow, I'm glad so much personal history has been archived and kept.

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  11. EG CameraGirl29 April 2015 at 23:04

    So many varieties of garlic and I have only tried two or three!! Ah, something to look forward to. :)

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  12. DeniseinVA29 April 2015 at 23:30

    What a great place with very interesting history. Loved all the photos and will be very interested in what you found in the field. I developed a great taste for garlic when I started cooking in earnest years and years ago. Looking forward to reading your other posts about this place. Have a great day Margaret.

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  13. Jeanne29 April 2015 at 23:49

    What an amazing little farm here on this Isle, and how nice that you got to go back for your own personal tour. Love the history that you included.

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  14. TexWisGirl30 April 2015 at 00:32

    i can imagine the aroma!

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  15. ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®©30 April 2015 at 05:03

    Maybe the Queen hates it, but I love it!
    `

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  16. eileeninmd30 April 2015 at 05:23

    Hello Margaret, I love garlic. But, I did not know there were so many different kinds. What a neat farm to visit. The store looks awesome too. Love the cute squirrel and it's play area. Awesome photos.. Have a happy day!

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  17. Bethany Carson30 April 2015 at 07:56

    Looks like a neat place with a very interesting history!

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  18. Stephanie30 April 2015 at 11:06

    Thank you for the lovely tour. I love garlic. Cute squirrel!

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  19. A Colorful World30 April 2015 at 12:00

    This was such a fascinating post! Oh my gosh, I would LOVE to visit there! We talked about become garlic farmers at one point, but nothing ever came of it. I love eating garlic...it's awesome (what does the queen know!) :-)

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  20. Unknown30 April 2015 at 12:51

    Wow ... what a lovely history and beautiful pictures. 35 varieties of garlic? Wow ... we learn something new each day. Thanks for sharing. #aNoviceMumCommentLuv

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  21. Ragged Robin30 April 2015 at 21:37

    A very interesting post Margaret - you've brought back so many memories of our visit there. I seem to remember we came home with quite a few jars of chutney!

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  22. Betsy Banks Adams1 May 2015 at 04:59

    That is neat that Colin invited you back to take the 'real' tour. What an interesting place--and I know how happy Colin is to keep the family tradition going. Hope there are some 'little ones' coming up in the family to keep it going... What a great place---and so much history... Interesting info about the garlic. I am glad that you didn't have garlic in your coffee... ha ha .. We love garlic --but not in coffee... ha

    I have a 'heavenly' post today. Check it out --if you haven't yet.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  23. Sue (this n that)1 May 2015 at 15:35

    So interesting Margaret. I love the garlic shape on their coffee too :D)

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