I began my gardening journey in 1976 growing a wide range of organic vegetables for my family in various gardens and allotments, digging or forking the ground and turning in cow and horse manure delivered by the local farmer.
In 2007 We moved to the heavy clay of the Blackmore Vale, Dorset, and needed to establish a new garden where there was only grass and some elderly apple and pear trees. Fortunately our free weekly local newspaper had a regular article written by Charles Dowding in which he described no dig and recommended it on heavy clay. I also bought his first book and later in the year visited his garden. Using his recommendations I established a vegetable and soft fruit garden buying in horse manure and green waste compost. As a result of no-dig and making our own compost the soil is now in wonderful shape and produces a wide range of fruit and vegetables. We are now self- sufficient in vegetables and fruit having added cordon apples and plum and cherry trees. Having purchased a hefty shredder we produce enough compost for mulching and have deliveries of woodchip from a local tree surgeon. Our trees provide a wealth of leaf mould.
We have 2 greenhouses for tomatoes, peppers, chillies, aubergines and cucumbers. In the winter they provide salad leaves and garlic.
The rest of the garden is devoted to wildlife and plants for pollinators. I am a natural beekeeper and have been awarded a wildlife friendly garden plaque from the local wildlife trust.
