St George's House,
Northern Police Orphanage. 1898-1956
Harrogate, Yorkshire, England.
The gardens at St George's were extensive and included Greenhouses for growing out of season crops such as Lettuce, Cucumbers and Tomatoes. Some flowers too were grown ,Roses and Sweet peas being amongst Miss Knockers favourites.
Typical crops grown were:
Carrots, Cabbages, Potatoes, Peas, Beans, Cauliflours, Onions, Beetroot,
Rhubarb, Gooseberries to mention a few. There was an Apple orchard which
the children would harvest, along with Blackberries and Bilberries from
the surrounding countryside.
The girls had individual House plots (Gurney, Fawkes and Ingilby)
in a small garden area overlooked by the Children's Dining Room, Girl's
Playroom and the Sick Wing, in which they tried to grow vegetables and
flowers from seed, with mixed results.
Girls tending their 'House' plots. Cabbages as far as the eye can see......
House plants were grown and used around the House especially on Annual Meeting and Sports Day. There were always houseplants on the table beneath the War Memorial in the Entrance Hall and used in some of Miss Knockers rooms.
Deus vult