The sunny spells of late have brought a welcome shift in pace across the estate. With the early arrival of spring, life has been reawakening — from seedlings in our glasshouses to lambs in our paddocks — and with it, a steady hum of activity has filled every corner of the farm.
In the Market Garden: Seeds of the Season
The early arrival of spring, with unusually dry and sun-filled days, has been a boost to the Market Garden team. Land preparation has been in full swing, the glasshouses are brimming with seedlings, and the plant nursery is settling confidently into its stride. While produce for the kitchens has been limited during the peak of the hunger gap, the season ahead looks promising — with rows of young crops establishing well in the warming soil.
On the Farm: Turning the Soil and Welcoming New Life
As the ground dried and greened underfoot, the Farm team moved swiftly to take advantage of the improved conditions. Manure was spread and ploughed in on key fields — Lodge and Big Thumper — in preparation for new herbal leys, marking the start of another productive cycle.
Our dairy herd are now back outside, grazing in the fields during the day, which naturally lifts milk protein levels. Lambing season is underway, with 82 lively lambs already born from our Llyn flock and more still to come. Out in the piggery, piglets are thriving, growing quickly on a diet of organic whey and minimal concentrate, while our outwintered Angus beef cattle continue to do well on grass and silage alone.
Arboriculture: A Landscape in Balance
The Arboriculture team has been deep in the work of conservation and caretaking this month, planting 18 disease-resistant elm trees in collaboration with Hampshire Forest Partnership and The Tree Council — part of a larger, long-term research effort. Thousands of hedge whips have been planted across field boundaries, reinforcing the ecological edges of the estate and strengthening our natural corridors for wildlife.
Seeds collected on the team’s recent trip to Scotland have been sown, and rare species like Rasen sugi and giant sequoia are being carefully nurtured. Around the grounds, signs of spring are everywhere: frogspawn in the new pond, cherry trees blooming, and woodland flowers emerging after careful bracken clearance.
Gardens and Grounds: Sharing Knowledge, Tending Beauty
The Estates team has begun the spring cycle of maintenance around the hotel and grounds, with pruning, mulching, and ornamental grass cutting all underway. They’ve also pitched in with projects across departments — from helping plant hedgerows to pricking out seedlings in the Market Garden. In the spirit of community, several members volunteered at a local sensory garden, and an indoor plant workshop hosted during the monthly produce sale brought guests together around the shared joy of growing.
Behind the Scenes: Repairs and Resourcefulness
The Facilities Maintenance team has been supporting the farm at every level — from building a secondary roof for the Market Garden containers to clearing rhododendrons and checking rooflines at the hotel. A soil test from the orchard is underway to determine its suitability for the future slurry lagoon, while fencing work continues in earnest to protect new plantings from curious livestock and deer. Clinton’s bird box workshop was a particular highlight — a hands-on celebration of craft and care for our feathered neighbours.
Sharing the Joy of the Season with Young Carers
With the buzz of spring extending to every corner of the estate, we were also delighted to share the joy of the season with 11 children from Hart and Rushmoor Young Carers. Joining us for a special farm experience day, the children spent the day learning about the farm and horticulture, taking part in walks and talks, planting seeds, making bug boxes, and exploring wildlife. The ever-popular activities — examining animal skins and skulls, pond dipping, walking the farm, and learning about livestock — sparked plenty of curiosity and conversation. The day ended on a sweet note, with each young carer leaving with an Easter egg. It was another fantastic day for the team, who were proud to be supporting the carers.