Cedro or Citron is an ancient citrus fruit, one of the original cultivators used to breed the modern citrus varieties of oranges, lemons and limes we are familiar with today. 

Hiding in the frosty soils of our winter kitchen garden are the knobbly brown tubers of the Jerusalem artichoke.

Sometimes called the earth apple or wild sunflower, it originated from the Americas and is a member of the daisy family.

Part of the rose family, its large hips are best picked after the first frosts which help to soften the fruits, a process called bletting.

To kick off the Christmas season at Thyme, Diana will be at Thyme on December 1st talking to food editor, Molly Tait-Hyland about revisiting this timeless classic, the original inspiration, the travel then and now and learnings after 2 decades of inspiring food writing.

In anticipation of November’s upcoming happenings, we caught up with Sarah to discuss her famous bulb lasagna and the methods she uses to create this marvellous springtime display.

The tomato, although appearing in savoury dishes on our plates and thought of as a vegetable, is actually a fruit: the pulp being the fruit together with the seeds, making it a berry. 

“Tusk has enjoyed a special relationship with Thyme ever since its opening. From the moment I set foot within the grounds of this amazing place and had the pleasure of meeting its founder, Caryn Hibbert, it was clear that Africa held a special place in her heart and she is rightly proud of the conservation work Thyme is undertaking”.

- Charlie Mayhew OBE, Founder and CEO of Tusk

Returning from any walk around the water meadows at Thyme these days, now involves the ritual of removing seeds and burrs from your trousers, sleeves and bootlaces. Although not perhaps the main target of this seed dispersal mechanism, we end up collecting many seed heads and burrs as we walk through the long grass and dense vegetation.

The festive season still feels far away - we are only in August after all. However, here at Thyme preparations are well underway. Not least the plans for a vibrant December full of food, music and some winter wellness, but the gardens team have also begun their Christmas prep.

Did you know that a runner bean is actually a fruit? Part of the Fabracea family of plants, Phaseolus coccineus - Scarlet emperor is a legume which originated in the mountains of South America where it grows as a perennial.

Since Thyme was founded in 2008 as a Cookery School, we have always had productive gardens. It was an essential part of our founding ethos – to slow down and reconnect with nature.

Situated adjacent to the water meadows of the river Leach, our kitchen gardens are a joy. With tranquil views, we often see the barn owls hunting throughout the day, kites and buzzards soaring overhead, white egrets and herons, snipe, teal and mallard and sometimes a flash of the brightest blue kingfisher.

So far this summer, the numbers of insects being recorded seems to be far lower than average and one of the main causes could be the long, dry summer we experienced last year which interrupted the natural breeding cycles of many species. Stepping into the water meadows at Southrop at the moment is excitedly different.

In the warmer months, our wildflower borders are filled with the faint buzz of pollinators drinking nectar and the heady aroma of wild blooms fills the spring air.

Our wonderful house florist Sophie, hosts an array of floral workshop throughout the year at Thyme, sharing her expert knowledge and inspiring creativity.