Forest Garden in Batheaston
The fabulous Good Gym Volunteers helping out with the clearance and creation of the deadhedge
New Forest Garden to be created in the Secret Garden in Batheaston
The core team at Grow Batheaston are beyond excited to finally be able to start work on a new venture in the village; this is the creation of a ‘Forest Garden’, situated behind the established and much appreciated Secret Garden next to the river and car park in Batheaston.
Contrary to its intimations, this does not involve planting an actual forest but uses a system of growing based on woodland ecologies and can incorporate fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines and perennial vegetables which have uses that are in some way useful, whether as food, or fibre, medicinal or for the dyeing of cloth, for example. It is a low maintenance and self-fertilising system, using no added fertilisers or pesticides. It is a community based venture, and will be a learning opportunity as well as offering a different perspective on how we can access nutritious food.
This system works with nature and uses pollinator friendly plants as well as ones that deter pests. These perennial plants are more resistant to disease and more resilient in the face of a changing climate, as well as being more nutritious. They also use less resources than the constant replacement of plants found in some traditional gardens.
There can be as many as seven layers - replicating woodland in a miniature form.
A canopy layer consisting of the original mature fruit trees
A low tree layer of smaller nut and fruit trees on dwarfing rootstocks
A shrub layer of fruit bushes such as currants and berries
A herbaceous layer of perennial vegetables and herbs
A ground cover layer of edible plants that spread horizontally, for example wild strawberries
An underground dimension of plants grown for their roots and tubers as well as subterranean fungi that yield via their fruiting bodies and move nutrients between plants via mycorrhizal associations
Also a vertical layer of vines and climbers
This form of gardening also opens up opportunities to grow unusual fruits and vegetables and rediscover favourite ones. We will be planting a Beauty of Bath apple tree for example, a form which originated from Bailbrook. It is also possible to make forest gardens on a tiny scale, or in a domestic garden. We will be experimenting and learning, with plenty of trial and error, and will be passing this on to anyone who would like to get involved.
Initially we have been ably assisted by the fabulous Goodgym; our local group have been exercising their green fingers as well as their muscles in running or cycling out to help us. An enormous amount of sedge has been uprooted and, with much dead wood, has been turned into a ‘dead hedge’; this will gradually decompose and in the meantime makes a fantastic habitat for insects and invertebrates. Many thanks too to residents’ support, especially in clearing the overgrown pathways.
It will be several years before our garden matures into a self regulating system but we are very much looking forward to the journey.
Special thanks to BWCE for the grant that has made this possible, Batheaston Parish Council for the 3 year lease and the book - Forest Gardening by Graham Burnett)
For other information on Forest Gardens visit: https://nationalforestgardening.org
If you would like to join us on this journey, by joining a work party or just dropping in for a chat, please get in touch and/or follow us on social media.
Email – hello@growbatheaston.co.uk
Website – https://www.growbatheaston.co.uk
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