The Royal Kitchen Garden in Gråsten 

The garden is run in collaboration between the Danish Agency for Palaces and Culture and Sonderborg Municipality through the employment service Væksthuset. Here, citizens and employees participate in the operation, and volunteers from Graasten Slotshaves Venner contribute with dissemination and practical work.

The vegetable beds contain a wide variety of vegetables such as squash, beans, potatoes, onions, leeks, corn, carrots, beetroot, spinach, lettuce, pumpkin and peas. There are also many different types of cabbage such as cauliflower, broccoli, kale, kale, red cabbage and white cabbage. In addition, there are perennial crops of rhubarb and asparagus, herbs in raised beds, strawberries, berry bushes and flowers.

In the orchard, apple trees are planted in trellises, archways and as free-growing trees. The apple varieties are specially selected according to their affinity with Gråsten. In the apple grove you can enjoy your own food and drink, and here also stands one of the old apple trees that has grown here for generations.

During the season, rhubarb, fruit and berries are harvested, which are used for liqueurs, jellies and marmalades. Some of the harvest is frozen and processed later, so that the goods are ready for the store at the start of the season. When the crops are ripe and not needed for the royal household, they are displayed at the greenhouse, so that guests can take some home or sell them at the harvest market.

Annual activities in the garden include:

• Opening day at the start of the season
• Pot Day – every spring, the Greenhouse, gardeners and volunteers plant flowers in pots in the garden
• Exhibitions and activities in the Parade House
• Extra fun during the autumn holidays with activities for children
• Harvest market on September 12–13
• Light Festival in December

In the café you can buy:

• Sandwich
• Pie
• Is
• Samll green salad
• Cake
• Coffee and cold drinks

The food can be enjoyed in the Winter Garden, the Parade House or outside. The Winter Garden is a cozy place with space for both children and adults, where you can drink a cup of coffee while the children play in the children's corner or help water the plants.

Groups have the option to pre-order coffee, cake and sandwiches.

It is not possible to make table reservations.

The store sells:

• Handmade goods from the Grow House
• Sewn bags, bread baskets and fabric beanies designed with 6 signature plants from the garden
• Copper-plated flowers from the kitchen and castle gardens
• Silver-plated geranium leaves made into earrings
• Ceramics
• Rose apple jelly made from apples from the old rose apple trees
• Honey from the garden's own bees
• Other seasonal items

The profits from the café and shop go towards improving the garden.

The kitchen garden contains several special elements that make the visit unique:

• Tapis fleurs in the main axis: In the middle of the garden, a tapis fleurs forms a grass carpet, which in spring is a colorful carpet of spring bulbs.
• Scented geraniums and Queen Ingrid: Geraniums were Queen Ingrid's favorite plant and are still grown in the garden - including used in jewelry sold in the store.
• Signature plants: Pelargonium Dr. Ingrid, Agapanthus, Gråsten apple, Scented geranium, Fig Casica 2
• Apiary and honey: The bees pollinate flowers and fruit trees and produce honey, which is sold in the store.
• Hügelbed: A bed with approximately 800 perennials, built of branches and organic material that provides nourishment and retains moisture.
• Mirror pool: Sky and plants are reflected in the water surface, while mussels act as a natural filter and keep the water clear.
• The winter garden: Ends the main axis and is in the style of the old greenhouses. Used for plant storage in the winter and for serving in the cafe in the summer.
• Parade House: A focal point in the kitchen garden with a parade area and a reflecting pool in front. In winter, potted plants are stored in the Parade House. It is called the parade house because in winter the plants are on parade.

The Royal Kitchen Garden has different expressions throughout the year:

• Spring: Bulb plants, crocuses and potted plants bring color to the garden.

• Summer: The beds are full of flowers, fruit and vegetables.

• Autumn: Autumn brings bustle and warm colors.

• Winter: The garden can be surprisingly beautiful on sunny frosty days.