The Mansion Garden
One of my favorite parts of the Governor’s Mansion is the beautiful garden. Chef Connie has such a green thumb and is able to keep vegetables, herbs and flowers growing in the garden year-round.
Connie recently showed me around the garden and updated me on what’s currently growing. This summer we’ve got okra, black-eyed peas, tomatoes, Swiss chard, and arugula.
The Mansion Garden is also home to citrus and peach trees.
Chef Patrick even made peach pies from the Mansion peaches. Yum!
There is nothing better than fresh fruit and vegetables and we are so lucky to be able to grow them at home.
Connie is also growing many herbs, including basil, mint, sage, rosemary, and lavender. Connie and Patrick use the fresh herbs in dishes they prepare, and they smell wonderful as well!
As for flowers, we grow a variety of zinnias. Trent, the Mansion Steward, uses the zinnias – as well as some of the herbs – in lovely flower arrangements displayed throughout the Mansion. Beautiful pinks and oranges have bloomed this summer, and I am excited to see what fall brings to the garden!
Another neat part of the Governor’s Mansion garden is our compost bin. The garden is fully organic, and Connie composts the kitchen scraps, which turns them into fertilizer. This helps keeps the garden strong and healthy year after year.