This is the first post in what is a large series of six posts covering Biodynamic gardens and farms I have visited in the past year and a half.
The first three posts date from Saturday July 22nd, just over a year ago, when I visited Forest Row. Forest Row, a small town in East Sussex, is the spiritual home of Rudolf Steiner’s Biodynamic agriculture in the UK. It is the home of the notable Biodynamic farms Plaw Hatch and Tablehurst Farm, as well as the Steiner adult education centre, Emerson College.
Remarkably, very nearby, ten minutes away, is the important Scientology HQ at Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead. So you’re really spoilt for esoteric religions. Nearby too is Ashdown Forest, home of Winnie the Pooh’s sylvan forays. Rock fans might be interested to know of the proximity of Hammerwood Park, once owned by Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd’s Dave Gilmour was once a resident. Presumably there is something of a spaghetti junction of ley lines running through the area.
The then-resident gardener Laurie Donaldson, who now works in Hereford at the Growing Local CSA, showed me around the vegetable garden of Michael Hall School. I had reached out to Laurie through the WWOOF network, where they were advertising for assistance.
This Steiner children’s school (photos visible towards the foot of the column) was relying on Laurie to look after their beautiful walled garden. Part of the children’s education was to take part in working with the plants.
Laurie was able to point out, with justified pride, that the garden was financially profitable. There was an eager market for the incredibly vital biodynamic produce he had been growing there.
This was my first sighting of the Phacelia flower, which pollinators adore.