Chris’ green fingers at Charter Court
For the past 12 years, Chris has been a familiar face and a very busy pair of hands at Charter Court Independent Living Scheme in Market Drayton. At 71, he’s built a reputation for growing a wide variety of vegetables, turning his hobby into a way of life that not only keeps him active but also fills his kitchen with fresh, homegrown produce.
His love of gardening goes right back to his childhood. “I started when I was 12,” he shares. “My dad was Irish and grew everything. I remember seeing someone grow watercress on damp paper towels, and I thought I’d try it. Soon enough, it grew.” Since then, gardening has been a constant in his life. Before moving to Charter Court, he lived with his parents in a three-bedroom house with a greenhouse, where he continued improving his skills with his dad.
Runner beans are a favourite crop as they’re easy to grow and produce lots of tasty pods. Chris usually plants them at the end of May when the soil has warmed up after winter.
Tomatoes, however, remain a tricky challenge. “They can be difficult, you’ve got to take the leaves off the vines so the plant puts its energy into the fruit.”
He advises new gardeners to start with potatoes, and, like with most things, preparation is key: “Clear the ground, prepare the soil, dig and rake it, and add compost in the winter. That way it drains through and adds goodness for the spring.”
This year’s harvest has been particularly rewarding. “I haven’t bought any veg this year,” he says, with most meals including potatoes and vegetables straight from the soil to the plate. The biggest challenge has been the weather: with so much sun, keeping everything watered has taken extra effort.
For Chris, gardening is not about competitions or prizes, it’s about the simple satisfaction of watching seeds grow into something that can be shared and enjoyed every day.