What is a Skirret?
What is a skirret? A medieval word for skirt? An ancient measure of ale? A cross between a squirrel and a ferret?
If this question should pop up in a pub quiz, you will be equipped to answer after reading this post…
The gardening volunteers met for some springtime maintenance on our working medieval garden. As well as tending to all the plants that would have been grown in medieval times for flavouring, medicine and dyeing, they planted a new-to-us heritage crop of Skirret.
A raised bed of plants used for dyeing.
A Skirret is a root vegetable crop which is largely unknown today but was popular in medieval times. The name is derived from the old word for ‘white root’. Raw, it tastes of carrot, and cooked, it tastes of parsnip. Hopefully we will get the chance to put this to the taste test later this year!
The Skirret plants.
If you are interested in growing heritage crops and would like to help out in our Tudor garden, please do get in touch – we always welcome more volunteers. As well as the regular gardening days there is also the option for volunteers to donate their time as and when is convenient to them.
The Weaver’s Garden really is a little patch of tranquillity despite its closeness to the city centre – so escape back to Tudor times and enjoy a few hours in this special garden whilst helping maintain this historic property. Contact us on 024 7625 7117 or email info@theweavershouse.org – no experience is required.
