Caring for the environment
Resource use
All my plants are propagated here on site, mostly using seeds and cutting material collected from my own garden.
They are grown in peat-free compost right from beginning to end. Peat is a finite resource and its use is acknowledged as being environmentally unsustainable.
Young plants are grown-on in open ground which makes them robust and used to being outside summer and winter.
Mature plants are potted up for sale in peat-free compost and pots made from recycled plastic.
Encouraging nature
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Field margins are left to over-winter. Dry, hollow stems are perfect hibernation sites for beneficial insects like lacewings.
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Surrounding grass is mown on a high setting every 2-3 weeks. This allows clover, cowslips and other wildflowers in the grass to thrive and flower between mowings.
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A new pond with shallow ledges and a beach allows small mammals to drink. It is planted with native British wild plants and nettles are allowed to grow around it to create cover.
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The provision of shelter and water creates a favourable environment for birds, hedgehogs, frogs, newts and toads, all present on the nursery which help to keep my plants naturally pest-free.
