Six months of a steep learning curve came to fruition today with news that the barley we grew for Jamie Dunstan's garden had helped it win a Silver Gilt Medal. 

Early Stages

When we were approached to do this by Dave Root of Kelway's, we thought it would be pretty straightforward, but then we also knew it would be like nothing we had grown before. Seeds were sown in two-litre pots of soil-based compost back in December. Within a few days, they were up, but so were the mice - they thought all their Christmasses had come at once. Steps were taken - and a lot of mice didn't get to see the New year - and more barley was sown.

Getting it to grow

Eventually once the winter began to ease, it began to grow. Gavin Moss - a friend of the boss - happened to be an agronomist and was a huge help in guiding us as to what to spray and when.

The plants were started off under cover then moved out in to a net-covered tunnel where it was safe from pigeons and doves. 

There were a few scary moments not least when Craig discovered one morning that the lower leaves had gone a bit yellow literally overnight. Gavin was able to immediately identify the problem and tell us what to do. 

Had it been a 'normal' spring, growth regulators would probably have been required, but not this year.

Despatch

Last week, staff spent 2 days putting 1800 plants on trolleys, removing every yellow or damaged leaf so that they looked perfect. A 17 tonne lorry then came and collected the 21 trolleys in one fell swoop and we all breathed a collective sigh of relief.  

Dave and Jamie were understandably concerned at the effect of the weather on the barley, but although it didn't flower as we had hoped, Jamie was thrilled with the final result. 

To see more pictures, go to Jamie's Facebook page where you can see the construction of the whole garden as well as a few celebrity shots.