The Victorian Kitchen Garden

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

I am totally hooked on this 1987 BBC television show entitled “The Victorian Kitchen Garden.” As soon as I watched the first episode I was lost in the epic month-by-month restoration of a walled kitchen garden at the Chilton Foliat estate in Wiltshire England. Having been to England and reveled in each garden I visited this show was like a long overdue garden junky fix.

Each 30-minute episode is chalk full of interesting history on the Victorian era, English estate gardening and useful gardening tips. The cinematography is fabulous too, just what a starved gardener in the dead of winter needs to get the creative planning juices going. It is a Masterpiece Classic of gardening. And, the best part…there are 13 episodes to get you revved up for spring.

After each episode I sit back and dream, plan and wish my little homestead could be as functional and productive as this garden, certainly something to strive for, right?

I thought I’d give you all the chance to join the fun by posting each episode on the blog. Sad news though, I searched for the DVDs, but they don’t seem to be available in America. The links below are for YouTube versions. God bless people who take the time to post things we can all enjoy. Maybe if we all make inquiries about the series someone will show it again. We can hope, can’t we?

PBS, are you listening?

Enjoy the fun, folks! I sure did.

Victorian Kitchen Garden Episode 1: Introduction

Victorian Kitchen Garden Episode 2: January

Victorian Kitchen Garden Episode 3: February

Victorian Kitchen Garden Episode 4: March

Victorian Kitchen Garden Episode 5: April

Victorian Kitchen Garden Episode 6: May

Victorian Kitchen Garden Episode 7: June (part 1)

June (part 2)

Victorian Kitchen Garden Episode 8: July (part 1)

July (part 2)

Victorian Kitchen Garden Episode 9: August (part 1)

August (part 2)

Victorian Kitchen Garden Episode 10: September (part 1)

September (part 2)

Victorian Kitchen Garden Episode 11: October (part 1)

I was not able to find part 2 of the October episode.

Victorian Kitchen Garden Episode 12: November (part 1)


I was not able to find part 2 of the November episode.

Victorian Kitchen Garden Episode 13: December (part 1)


I was not able to find part 2 of the December episode.

Peter Thoday recounts the series in a two part 2002 interview
with Victorian Kitchen Garden host

Interview: Part 1

Interview: Part 2



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