In addition to our Outdoor Vegetable Patch, we have one acre under glasshouse at Ballymaloe Cookery School where we grow an incredible range of produce each year. Originally used by the late Ivan Allen for the sole production of tomatoes and mushrooms, they have since been adapted to house many more varieties of fruits and vegetables. There are three houses which continue into each other. Crops are rotated from year to year, and it's lovely to visit the glasshouses each season to witness what's changing and what the gardeners are planning for the various houses. A visit to The Glasshouses is one of the highlights of our Farm Walk.
Depending on the time of year you visit, you may see the following in the glasshouses:
In addition to the more traditional crops, we also grow as many exotic fruits and vegetables as possible. We have recently started experimenting with growing our own vines which can be found at the very back of the glasshouses. To the right of the houses, there is a beautiful pomegranate tree and an almond tree. Figs, nectarines and peaches grow along the opposite wall, while kiwis can be found hanging over your head as you walk through the houses. Another recent addition to the glasshouses are chickpeas! The scents and perfumes coming from the various glasshouse bays at any time of the year are so inviting! We do request, however, that our visitors kindly resist the temptation to pick the gorgeous fruits and vegetables as they walk through the glasshouses. Thank You.
In the summer of 2012, the inaugural Ballymaloe Long Table Dinner in The Glasshouses was held and has gone on to become an annual event.
