Author: David Betterton

Chipping Norton Wildflower Walk: Notes

The 18th June saw a group of 15 MUWAGA members on a specially-arranged Wildflower Walk from Chipping Norton. Led by Craig Blackwell, the walk was informative and insightful, with an extraordinary range of wildflowers, grasses and plants. These were identified for us by Craig’s expertise, and also recognised with some delight by several knowledgeable members of the group!

Brown Knapweed
Sainfoin
Wild Mignonette

Amongst all else, the walk took us to the upper part of the Glyme Valley around the river’s source, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and here we saw what Craig told us was one of the few sites of the rare Meadow Clary in the UK, and this one, managed by the farm owners, is known to be the best example.

Meadow Clary
River Glyme source with Elm hedgerows

The farm land here has been in Stewardship Schemes for many years and so we have access to beautiful wildflower-rich limestone grasslands and meadows.

With thanks to Joanna and David van de Poll for arranging the outing, and of course to Craig who made the day a memorable one.

See also: Craig Blackwell’s talk on the Wildflowers of Oxfordshire from the MUWAGA 2022 programme

Behind The Garden Gate – The National Garden Scheme: Our April 2023 Evening Talk

Speaker: Vanessa Berridge, County Organiser NGS

Subject: Behind The Garden Gate: The National Garden Scheme

The final talk of the 2022/23 season , MUWAGA members and guests were treated to an informative introduction to the National Gardens Scheme by Vanessa Berridge, Gloucester County Organiser, and were tempted by wonderful slides, to visit many of the local gardens opened annually for charity.

We were surprised to learn that the movement had its roots in Victorian philanthropism when a new training scheme for community nurses (the first district nurses) was launched in the mid-1850’s. The idea of opening beautiful gardens to raise funds in support of the Queens Nursing Institute was promoted by society figures in 1926 and the following year 609 gardens were open, including Sandringham.

The scheme has grown steadily since then and in 2023 more than 3,500 gardens throughout England, Wales, N Ireland and the Channel Islands will open to the public in aid of its beneficiaries: Marie Curie, Macmillan Cancer Support, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, The Queen’s Nursing Institute and Parkinson’s UK, and it offers financial support to other garden and health charities. In 2022 the National Garden Scheme donated £3.11 million to its beneficiaries.

The first guide to Open Gardens was issued with Country Life magazine in 1932, becoming the familiar yellow booklet in 1949. Moving with the times, there is now a comprehensive website at ngs.org.uk which gives details of all gardens and how to visit (some are by special arrangement for example) and how the organisation works.

It is moving with the times in other ways too, now encouraging all types of gardener to open to the public: allotment groups, community gardens, hospice gardens and schools amongst others. Many gardens welcome children and dogs, are able to accommodate wheelchairs and those with limited mobility, and of course many have plants sales and the all-important tea and cakes…

Virtual Garden Visits
We learned that, in challenging times during Covid, many resourceful garden owners created films of their gardens, so garden gates could at least be kept open online. Over 190 gardens are now available to visit. with more being added to what has became a useful source of both publicity and income. [ See the selection here >> ]

Training Support
The National Garden Scheme recognises that it is often hard for people to get started in a gardening career, and so has funded a variety of training and apprentice schemes. In 2022 the scheme supported amongst others: English Heritage, Perennial, Working for Gardeners Association and the National Botanic Garden of Wales

Vanessa ended her fascinating talk with a glimpse at the variety of gardens available on our doorstep, including her own lovely garden in Winchcombe. Gardens are open throughout the year, each choosing a time to show off their best features and to suit all tastes and styles. They are likely to give us garden envy but at least we can console ourselves with a slice of cake!

Some Gardens Selected by Vanessa, by Seasons

Winter

Home Farm, Huntley
Set in elevated position with exceptional views. 1m walk through woods and fields to show carpets of spring flowers. Enclosed garden with fern border, sundial and heather bed. White and mixed shrub borders. Stout footwear advisable in winter.

Trench Hill, Sheepscombe
Approx 3 acres set in a small woodland with panoramic views. Variety of herbaceous and mixed borders, rose garden, extensive vegetable plots, wildflower areas, plantings of spring bulbs with thousands of snowdrops and hellebores.

Spring

Kiftsgate Court, Chipping Campden
Magnificent situation and views, many unusual plants and shrubs, tree peonies, hydrangeas, abutilons, species and old-fashioned roses inc largest rose in England, Rosa filipes ‘Kiftsgate’.

The Gate, Winchcombe
Compact cottage-style garden planted with bulbs in spring, and with summer perennials, annuals, climbers and herbs in the walled courtyard of C17 former coaching inn. Also a separate, productive, walled kitchen garden with espaliers and other fruit trees.

Summer

Pasture Farm, Upper Oddington
Informal country garden developed over 30 yrs by current owners. Mixed borders, topiary, orchard and many species of trees. Gravel garden and rambling roses in ‘the ruins’. A concrete garden and wildflower area leads to vegetable patch. Large spring-fed pond with ducks. Also bantams, chickens, black Welsh sheep and Kunekune pigs.

Rockcliffe, Upper Slaughter
Large traditional English garden of 8 acres inc pink garden, white and blue garden, herbaceous borders, rose terrace, large walled kitchen garden and greenhouses. Pathway of topiary birds leading up through orchard to stone dovecot. Featured in many books and magazines.

Autumn

East Court, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham
A garden on 2 levels. Winding brick paths, swathes of herbaceous plantings. An experimental south facing walled area enjoys exciting exotic and unusual tender perennials and annuals. The new pond has attracted a wide range of aquatic wildlife

Clouds Rest, Brockweir near Chepstow
The garden at Clouds Rest was started in 2012 from a south-westerly facing stony paddock, with views across the Wye Valley. Its many gravel pathways meander through herbaceous beds with a mixture of roses, then a wide selection of Michaelmas daisies in September. Easy parking in our paddock. New additions inc woodland area and orchard with lily pond.

Details of these and all the National Gardens Scheme locations can be found here.

Springtime: Certain Uncertainties

Spring in Milton under Wychwood

I sat down in great anticipation to scribe a few MUWAGA words for the spring edition of The Wychwood, and I reflected, that spring felt early as I wrote. So, a good omen then, and an inspiration for their springtime edition. But in the throes of a Covid-induced haze, I could think only of

Spring has sprung

The grass has riz

I not know who I are

Nor what I iz

There are so many versions of this doggerel.  People say the original comes from Ogden Nash, but this may not be the case. It is sometimes called “The Brooklyn National Anthem” and it dates maybe from 1940.  Who can be certain of the original?  The most famous version highlights the literalist’s confusion over the expression “the birds are on the wing”. Indeed, literalists will point to the unassailable truth – for them – that in fact the wings are very much on the bird!

So, looking for certainties, it is pleasing to reflect that recently the Royal Horticultural Society predicted a glorious blossom season this spring. The combination of the dry, sunny summer last year – perfect for bud formation – and the cold snap at the start of February, which prevented early blossoming, is set to produce a visual feast to raise the spirits. The hope is that any new cold snap will already be too late to deter healthy blossom-buds in the trees.

One thing which is becoming clearer: we now know which plants and shrubs in the garden have succumbed to those spells of cold and sudden thaw of those few months ago.  For sure, we have lost a few plants including a dark red Phormium and one of our passion flowers. But others may yet revive. When the threat of frost has passed, we can cut back the damaged parts – on the Choisya for example. Simple, clean cuts with those duly sharpened secateurs – sharp if we have followed Tony’s advice around winter chores! Meantime, if there are any gaps in the borders, it is a good excuse to go shopping, to make use of those MUWAGA members’ discounts….

Some more certainties were in the air during a recent MUWAGA evening, with our local expert Gerald Stratford who regaled us with his stories of a new-found media career. He had an audience of 50+ members and guests fully engaged with his expert advice on making and sourcing compost, growing and storing a variety of staple vegetables, and answering questions to help us understand better the dos and don’ts of growing our vegetables. Certainties never felt more attainable!

Q&A With Gerald Stratford: Our February 2023 Evening Talk

Gerald Startford

Speaker: Gerald Stratford – Local veg expert
Subject: Vegetable growing workshop/Q&A.

This was a very special evening with our local expert Gerald Stratford who regaled us with his stories of a new-found media career – and so much more.

He had an audience of 50+ members and guests fully engaged with his expert advice, answering a myriad of questions to help us understand better the do’s and don’ts of growing our vegetables.

There is no denying that Gerald is our own Milton-under-Wychwood celebrity. He amazed us with stories of his unexpected rise to fame in retirement, from “going viral with his spuds” in the spring of 2020 to his current status as worldwide go-to big veg expert, Gucci model, friend of David Beckham among many others, and much-followed social media influencer.

What shone through Gerald’s talk was his love of growing things and his commitment to encouraging everyone to share his passion and simple pleasure in gardening.

He answered questions from the audience including a request to recommend effective and appropriate composts, a common dilemma for many gardeners these days, as peat-based products are phased out.

Gerald talked about good composts he has sourced, his methods for making his own magic mixes and the products he buys to feed and fortify his prizewinning vegetables. These included standard feeds such as liquid seaweed but also more unusual products like volcanic ash and mealworm extract.  

Any latecomers entering the hall would have seen the audience passing around tubs of soil, rubbing it through their fingers and sniffing it knowledgeably and wondered just what was going on……

Gerald reminds us all how being down-to-earth has a star quality all of its own!

See Gerald on Instagram here and on Twitter here!

See Gerald on Instagram here and on Twitter here!

Here’s how Gerald answered a question in an interview for Eater Magazine (USA) ( more here )

Do you have any gardening tips for beginners?

Never, ever get frustrated. If things aren’t going as you planned, stop. Go and do something totally different and then come back to it with renewed vigour. So if I dig in the garden, I don’t spend two hours doing the same thing — just 20 minutes, and then go and do something else in the garden for another 20 minutes, and then something else for 20 minutes, because you will be using different parts of your body for different jobs. Don’t get frustrated, because that’s when you make mistakes. Treat life in general like that, I think.

MUWAGA Christmas Tree at Shipton Church

Thankyou to all who took time to come to St Mary’s Shipton under Wychwood during the festive season to see the MUWAGA Christmas tree. Our tree stood proudly along with 22 other finely-decorated trees from local organisations.

MUWAGA Christmas Tree – A Work of Art!

Proceeds from the Christmas Tree Festival were in aid of the repairs to the church roof. More about the church, and the work in progress is to be found here.

Old Year, New Year – Things to Do!

With the year coming to a close, it is good to reflect on the ending of the year and the dawning of the new one, like the twin-faced Janus, god of beginnings, gates and transitions! For MUWAGA members, recent months this year have seen stimulating and challenging talks – particularly on the extraordinary range of wildflowers in our region by naturalist and county ecologist Craig Blackwell, and by Henry Astor of Bruern Farms who set out the extraordinary challenges – and success stories – of sustainable farming methods.  Our talks are increasingly well-attended: pleasing to see. Short reviews of these and previous talks are published here on our website.

Meantime, our long autumn will likely impact our December activities. We usually use this month to clean and pack up tools, de-commission the mower for its winter hibernation, and sit down indoors to get on with next year’s gardening plans. But this year unless we have a sudden cold snap, we might have time to work on planting or re-planting shrubs and roses, checking perennials for rotting leaves and perhaps even watering rhododendrons, camellias, and magnolias in dry spells. And certainly, this is the time to protect any outdoor pots with fleece or sacking, and to plant up, ready for January cheer, flowering pots of small bulbs such as ferns, ivy, primulas, or cyclamen.

And what of January? Time again for new year resolutions? For me, one thing I have decided on is to experiment with green manures. This decision was partly prompted by the news from our regular muck-supplier Pete. He told us that though his wife’s horses had produced the goods, the long hot summer has meant that the rotting process has hardly begun!

 So, to plant green manure is a little late now as a new year resolution, but my September scattering of an overwinter mix on our garden plot as well as a small area on our allotment is at least emblematic of the transition from autumn to spring. There are many green manures for different soils and purposes. Many, but not all of them are planted in September/October and are dug in during March or April. But I am attracted by the main idea to build and fix nitrogen in the soil and improve soil quality without artificial fertilisers. Here is an article on the subject.

The MUWAGA website also has an update on the general availability of allotment space in the Wychwoods, and details of where to apply. For first time allotmenteers, what an ideal new year resolution! Meanwhile members are looking forward to our Cheese and Wine gathering on January 25th in Milton Village Hall – always an enjoyable social event in advance of the second half of our season of evening talks.

Winter into Spring Plants: Our November Evening Talk

For our November meeting,  Julie Ritchie from Hoo House Nursery entertained us with a walk-through of a fine variety of plants which give colour and interest throughout the winter months. This was another well-attended meeting of our group, with newly-joined members coming for the first time.

Here is a summary of the plant types which Julie presented. Details of these and many more are available on the Hoo House Nursery website.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemum “Goldengreenheart”

Included in this group was Chrysanthemum “Goldengreenheart with its bronze-yellow semi-double flowers up to 80cm (32in) from October to December and can grow to 60cm (24in) wide. “Goldengreenheart” is happy in most good garden soils in the sun. It is a fine, reliable plant with excellent weatherproof blooms.

Grasses

Miscanthus sinensis “Kleine Silberspirme”

Among the selection of grasses, we looked at Miscanthus sinensis “Kleine Silberspirme”. When in bloom, this has dusky rose flowers up to 120cm (48in) from August to October and growing 100cm (40in) wide. “Kleine Silberspirme” is happy in most good garden soils ( and including clay) in the sun. The name means “Little Silver Spider”, and all Miscanthus look good right through the winter, but they should be cut back to ground level in early spring.

Sedges

Carex oshimensis “Evergold”

We learned abut several varieties of sedge, and among these was Carex oshimensis “Evergold”, which has creamy green flowers up to 30cm (12in) from June to July and growing 45cm (18in) wide. “Evergold” is good in most garden soils in sunshine or light shade. Ornamental cultivars, such as this, were selected long ago by Japanese gardeners, and are attractive all year round. Included in the list of sedges were Carex oshimensis “Everest”, Carex oshimensis “Everillo” and Carex brunnea “Variegata”.

Ferns

Polypodium vulgare
Polystichum polyblepharum
Polystichum setiferum Divisilobum

“Polypodium vulgare” – this fern has dark green, wintergreen foliage up to 45cm (18in) and growing 60cm (24in) wide. It is a native fern, happy in most garden soils in shade, and so is highly adaptable and tolerant. It can even thrive in dry shade once established. “Polypodium vulgare” is evergreen, but new growth can emerge quite late in spring.

“Polystichum polyblepharum” – This fern has glossy dark green wintergreen leaves up to 60cm (24in) and growing 60cm (24in) wide. Again, it is happy in most garden soils in shade. Also known as “Japanese tassel fern”. it grows naturally in open woodland and damp grassland in Japan, China and Korea. In spring the new shoots appear with ginger scales, and then the tasseled fronds unfurl to form very dark green and glossy clumps.

Anther fern included was “Polystichum setiferum Divisilobum”, another wintergreen happy in most soils and shade.

Heucheras

Tiarella “Iron Butterfly”

Among the Heucheras were included Heuchera “Sugar Plum” and Heuchera “Venus”, and related to these is Tiarella “Iron Butterfly”, which has white flowers, pink in bud up to 40cm (16in) from April to July and growing 30cm (12in) wide. Again included in the presentation because it is happy in most good, ( but not not dry) soils in light shade. Also known as “Foamflower”, Tiarella “Iron Butterfly” has is an exceptionally good winter plant with highly decorative foliage. It is particularly good for underplanting shrubs and trees or in pots and tubs in shady situations.

More Plants for Good Winter Foliage

Arum italicum “Marmoratum”
Arum italicum “Marmoratum” – with Berries

Another idea for exceptional winter foliage is Arum italicum “Marmoratum”. This has Pale green flowers up to 30cm (12in) from April to May and growing 45cm (18in) wide. It is happy in most garden soils in shade. The winter foliage has leaves which are good for floral arrangements. It copes with even dry shady corners but leaves get really large with moisture.

Birds loves the berries but may spread unwanted seedlings this way. Arum italicum “Marmoratum” is summer dormant. Other plants in this group are Arum “Chameleon” and Arum pictum

More Evergreens

Iris unguicularis “Mary Barnard”

Of particular note for flowering throughout winter months is Iris unguicularis “Mary Barnard”. This has rich violet-blue flowers up to 40cm (16in) from November to March and growing 60cm (24in) wide. Iris unguicularis prefers well drained soil in full sun. The flowers are particularly profuse during mild winter periods. Best maintenance includes pruning or cutting down old growth at the end of flowering in March.

Cyclamens – Good Drainage Needed

Cyclamen coum – magenta

Among the half-dozen or so Cyclamens discussed, we saw Cyclamen coum – magenta, with its magenta pink flowers up to 7cm (3in) from December to March and growing 12cm (5in) wide. This cyclamen prefers well drained soil in shade. It is a delightful winter flowering plant. It is one of the hardiest and easiest species, seeding themselves around freely in the garden once established. Among other plants in this group are Cyclamen hederifolium, Cyclamen coum “Tile Barn Elizabeth” and Cyclamen coum & Galanthus “Atkinsii”

Snowdrops

Galanthus “S Arnott”
Galanthus “Wendy”s Gold”

Again, we saw up to half a dozen fine varieties of Snowdrop, including a favourite – Galanthus “S Arnott” which has white flowers up to 15cm (6in) from February to March and growing 10cm (4in) wide. Galanthus “S Arnott” is happy in most garden soils in sun or light shade. It is named after the Scottish galanthophile, Samuel Arnott, and it can be seen naturalised in drifts at Colesbourne near Cheltenha. It has striking, classic proportions and a wonderful honey scent.

Also particularly striking in this group was Galanthus “Wendy”s Gold”. This has white flowers with gold inner up to 20cm (8in) from February to March and growing 10cm (4in) wide. It can take a little more time to establish the clump but well worth the wait.

Aconites

“Eranthis hyemalis”

In this group was included “Eranthis hyemalis” flowering from February to March with its bright yellow flowers up to 10cm (4in) and growing 10cm (4in) wide. “Eranthis hyemalis” is happy in most garden soils in sun or light shade. Equally good in grass or borders, naturalising quickly if planted in the green (i.e. not dry bulbs). In grass, they can be mown off when the foliage turns yellow. All requiring good drainage, other Aconites we saw were Eranthis hyemalis “Fiore Pleno” and Eranthis hyemalis “Tubergenii Group”

Hellebores

“Helleborus x hybridus”

“Helleborus niger”, interestingly-named “Helleborus x ericsmithii” and “Helleborus Penny”s Pink” were among the many Hellebores we looked at, and in particular the many varieties of “Helleborus x hybridus”.

Some of these are illustrated here.

These can have red, pink, white or yellow flowers up to 60cm (24in) from February-April and growing 60cm (24in) wide. Happy in most soils in sun or light shade.

As a precaution against the spread of blackspot disease, it is advisable to remove all of the old foliage in November. A generous mulch does the world of good.

Epimediums

Epimedium grandiflorum “Crimson Beauty”
“Epimedium x warleyense”

“Epimedium x warleyense” have copper-orange flowers up to 50cm (20in) from April to May and growing 75cm (30in) wide. Happy in most garden soils in shade. The beautiful leaves are robust through the winter, but remove them in February to let the first flowers display to their best. In autumn the leaves take on a bronze hue.


Others in this group are Epimedium grandiflorum “Crimson Beauty” and Epimedium x versicolor “Sulphureum”

Anemones

Anemone nemorosa “Vestal”
“Lathyrus vemus”

In this group was Anemone nemorosa “Vestal” which has white double flowers up to 15cm (6in) from March to April and growing 30cm (12in) wide. This Anemone refers humus rich soil in light shade.
It has the beautiful double form of the native “wood anemone” or “windflower”. It will increase in good conditions and associates well with small spring bulbs and forms of Lathyrus vernus.

Also included was “Lathyrus vemus” which has purple-blue flowers up to 30cm (12in) from April to May and growing 45cm (18in) wide. Happy in most soils in sun or light shade. It is a tough, bushy, early perennial that associates well with spring bulbs and hellebores.

Oxlips and Cowslips

“Primula elatior”
“Primula veris“

“Primula elatior” is a herbaceous or semi-evergreen perennial plant growing to 30 cm (12 in) tall by 25 cm (10 in) broad, with a rosette of leaves 5–15 cm long and 2–6 cm broad. It produces light yellow flowers in spring, in clusters of 10-30 together on a single stem 10–30 cm (4–12 in) tall, each flower 9–15 mm broad.

It can be confused with the closely related cowslip (“Primula veris”), which has a similar general appearance, although “Primula veris” has smaller, bell-shaped, bright yellow flowers (and red dots inside the flower), and a corolla tube without folds. The leaves of Primula veris are more spade-shaped than “Primula elatior”.

Bergenias

Bergenia “Bressingham White”

Known as “Elephant ears” , Bergenias have large, crinkle-edged, robust, polished-leather-looking leaves. Included in this group was Bergenia “Bressingham White, with flowers up to 40cm (16in) from April to May and growing 60cm (24in) wide.

Happy in most garden soils in light shade. “Elephant’s Ears” are of course evergreen plants, the foliage, possibly tinged burgundy in the winter, looks good for the whole year.

Lungworts

Pulmonaria “Blue Ensign” 

Among the Lunworts are Pulmonaria “Blue Ensign” which have bright blue flowers up to 30cm (12in) from March to April and growing 45cm (18in) wide. Happy in most soils, except dry, in shade. This is one of the earliest “lungworts” to flower, displaying the richest blue of any garden plant. Plants may die back in hot dry summers, but will soon recover as the weather turns cooler and moister.

Also included in this group are Pulmonaria “Trevi Fountain”, Pulmonaria “Lewis Palmer”, Pulmonaria saccharata “Leopard” and Pulmonaria “Diana Clare”

Brunnera

Brunnera macrophylla “Jack Frost”
Hacquetia epipactis “Thor”

Brunnera are some of the prettiest plants to include in the shady garden. Commonly called false forget-me-not, included in this group is Brunnera macrophylla “Jack Frost”, and Brunnera macrophylla “Betty Bowring”. This latter has blue flowers up to 45cm (18in) from March to June and growing 60cm (24in) wide. Happy in most garden soils in shade.
Often will self-seed and appear around the garden in other places. Makes for an attractive and versatile groundcover, particularly under shrubs.

Also good for ground cover are the neat, small Hacquetia epipactis “Thor” with its yellow flowers up to 15cm (6in) from February to April growing 20cm (8in) wide. This one prefers retentive woodland soil in shade. It is a rare variegated form of this charming woodlander. It is slow growing but worth a spot in a shady corner where the foliage will provide interest.

Furry “Pasque ” Flowers

“Pulsatilla vulgaris”

In this group were included “Pulsatilla vulgaris” which has purple flowers up to 25cm (10in) from April to May and growing 20cm (8in) wide. Prefers well drained soil in full sun. “Pasque Flower” is a rare native plant that has had many herbal and medical uses such as an antiseptic for skin infections including boils and acne. Always a favourite and, although uncommon, a large colony grows in Barnsley Warren near Cirencester.

Wallflowers

Erysimum “Parrish”s”

In this group we saw Erysimum “Parrish”s” with its red to purple flowers up to 60cm (24in) from April to July and growing 60cm (24in) wide. Prefers well drained soil in sun. Named after the originator by Hannay”s Nursery near Bath. Best in less fertile soils. Unusually for a “perennial wallflower” it will shoot from older wood. It is important to trim old flower stems down to keep good shape. Also in this group were Erysimum “Sunburst” and Erysimum “Apricot Twist”

… and finally Daffodils

Narcissus “Jack Snipe”

This group included Narcissus “Jack Snipe” – a distinct variety of dwarf daffodil that is an especially hardy and striking. The bold golden-yellow cup is delicately frilled. Narcissus “Jack Snipe” is a beautiful variety that’s very free flowering and suitable for pots, containers or the border, in gardens both big and small. Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit, its outstanding and reliable performance has made Jack Snipe a popular choice amongst British gardeners.

Text and images for this review include notes from the Hoo House website. Read more about Hoo House Nurseries here.

Green Manures: Some Choices for Better Soil Management

How to improve the fertility of our soil is a question that we all have to grapple with these days, especially when thinking in terms of sustainable gardening choices.

Harvest of vegetables 2022

One method – probably still quite under-used – is to plant green manures. These crops are grown specifically to be dug back into the soil as soil-improvers. One important point to growing many varieties of green manure is that you can reduce the loss of the key nutrient – nitrogen – in the soil by up to 97 percent, as against simply leaving to soil bare. Our list below shows which varieties can achieve this.

All green manures draw goodness out of the soil and store it in the plant’s cells and root nodules. By digging the plants back in at the optimal time, they then rot down and gradually release those nutrients so that the next crop benefits.

Regular use of green manures will also improve the soil structure. They can break down hard soils and can add organic matter to light soils. Many green manures give good soil cover thus preventing or minimising weed growth. Several types also attract beneficial insects such as bees and hoverflies which prey on pests like aphids.

Here we list several varieties, each geared for various soil conditions. Which one will suit you?

Alfalfa

Deep rooting plants improve the structure of the subsoil. Grows to about 1 metre high and is winter hardy.

Sow: Broadcast April – July
Soil type: Poor, not acid
Dig in: From 2 months – 1 year
Nitrogen fixer – yes

Buckwheat

Deep rooting to break up subsoils and makes a lot of growth to increase humus content. Added benefit of attracting hoverflies which will feed on greenfly in the garden. Dig or rotavate in before frosts for humus improvement. Fast into growth so is good for weed suppressing.

Sow: Broadcast March – August
Soil type: Poor
Dig in: 2 – 3 months, before flowering
Nitrogen fixer – no

Phacelia Tanacetefolia

Quick to start up and suppress weeds. Winter for spring digging in. Adds humus content to soil.

Sow: Broadcast March – mid-September
Soil type: All
Dig in: 1 – 3 months, before flowering
Nitrogen fixer – no

White Clover

Dense foliage for under sowing crops to build fertility and nutrients.

Sow: Broadcast February – September
Soil type: Most soils
Dig in: 2 – 3 months, before flowering
Nitrogen fixer – yes

Fenugreek

Grown mainly to increase humus content quick into growth to suppress weeds but slower to flower than mustard


Sow: Broadcast March – August
Soil type: Well drained
Dig in: 2 – 3 months, before flowering
Nitrogen fixer – no

Field Beans

A winter hardy species

Sow: In rows September – November
Soil type: Heavy
Dig in: March – May, before flowering
Nitrogen fixer – yes

Grazing Rye

Not to be confused with rye grass. Extensive root system for improving soil structure

Sow: Broadcast August – November
Soil type: All
Dig in: Early spring
Nitrogen fixer – no

Trefoil

Low growing winter hardy plants

Sow: March – August
Soil type: Light, dry. Not acid
Dig in: 3-4 months
Nitrogen fixer – yes

Crimson Clover

Best for sandy soils to add humus. Very attractive to bees if left to flower

Sow: Broadcast March – August
Soil type: Light sandy
Dig in: 2 3 months, before flowering
Nitrogen fixer – yes

Agricultural White Mustard

One of the fastest-growing green manures. It is susceptible to clubroot, so do not use where this might be a problem.


Sow: Broadcast March – mid-September
Soil type: Fertile
Dig in: 1 – 2 months, before flowering
Nitrogen fixer – no

Winter Tares

An annual fast-growing vetch, once established. Winter hardy. For the best weed-suppression, mix with Rye.

Sow: March – May/July – September
Soil type: Heavy, not acid or dry
Dig in: 2 – 3 months, before flowering
Nitrogen fixer – yes

These are two generic ideas from Kings Seeds

Summer Quick Fix Mix

The purpose of this is to build soil nitrogen. A fast-growing annual mix that is best sown into warm soil. It should be broadcast, or shallow drilled at no more than 10 millimetres


Sow: May to July
Soil type: All
Dig in: After 10 weeks
Nitrogen fixer – yes

Overwinter Mix

Growing a nitrogen lifter and fixer is the best way of improving soils over winter. Cereal rye and veg are excellent companions and usually very reliable


Sow: Mid-September to mid-October
Soil type: All
Dig in: April – May before flowering
Nitrogen fixer – yes

Allotments in the Wychwoods: Contact Information

Here is an update on the general availability of allotment space in the Wychwoods, and details of where to apply. For first time allotmenteers, what an ideal new year resolution! Space currently is very limited, but we believe that all enquiries are welcome.

The allotments in Milton are both owned by charities (and not the Parish Council). The lower half down to Littlestock Brook is managed by Milton Welfare Trust and the top half near the cemetery is managed by the Milton Allotment and Recreation Charity. Peter Rawlins is chairman of MWT and Chris Trotman is chairman of MARC. Both allotments have been in operation since 1849.

The Milton Welfare Trust has recently sprayed two plots for Mares Tail and should be available in the Spring.  The Milton Welfare Trust can be contacted (see below) for updates. Meantime, The Milton Allotment and Recruitment Charity currently has a waiting list.

At Shipton, there were perhaps 4 or 5 half-plots available in late October, and so it is well worth asking.

Here are the contact points for enquiries:

For Milton under Wychwood:

Milton Welfare Trust
Julie Hemming
tel 01993 832614
miltonwelfaretrust@hotmail.com
or
Milton Allotments & Recreation Charity
Chris Trotman
tel 01993 830076
marc.in.milton@gmail.com

For Shipton under Wychwood:
Zoe Thornburgh
tel 0781 117 4733
clerk@shiptonunderwychwood.org

For Ascott under Wychwood:
clerk@ascottpc.org.uk

Bruern Farms and Food Sustainability: Our October Evening Talk

Henry Astor at Bruern Farms Shop

Our October 2022 evening talk was well-attended with over 40 MUWAGA members and guests ready to hear Henry Astor of Bruern Farms on “Land Cultivation and Wellbeing in the 21st Century”.

Henry’s informal style was very well received as he expertly outlined the existential problems facing farming practices today. He focussed particularly on “food security” and challenged us to consider the lack of biodiversity and increasing food insecurity in the UK today.

Henry also challenged us to think about ideas to support his aim to interest and involve the local community in food and how better to control quality, with the simple idea “How to Feed Milton under Wychwood”.

Henry reminded us of the post WW2 history of farming methods. These were mindful of the need for food independence and security after those disastrous years. But they amounted to a war on the landscape. And over time, we have been brought to the point where large agribusiness companies perpetuate a dependency on these methods. The result is increasingly expensive fertilisers, and ever more powerful insecticides which work against the health of the land.

Henry gave an overview of work at Bruern Farms – a third generation family run enterprise. The farm extends to just under 2000 acres and is farmed conventionally, though not organically. The focus, away from narrow and restrictive “organic” labels, is to introduce regenerative farming methods using no pesticides and encouraging wildlife.

This is achieved with corridors of hedgerows, wildflowers, and the planting of tens of thousands of trees. As a result, bird and insect life is now thriving. The presence of six nesting pairs of barn owls at Bruern demonstrates one of the great success stories in the building back of bird populations.

Bruern Farms grow as many as 70 or 80 different types of heritage grain, constantly experimenting to test resilience to a variety of pests and weather conditions.

In addition to supplying grain for an Oxford Whiskey distillery, Henry founded the Cotswold Grain Network, a community of 40+ wheat growers and bakers who work together. Bruern Farms mills its own flour locally at Stanway Mill, near Cheltenham and supplies bakeries directly.

Scaling-up volumes in this way keeps prices manageable and crucially keeps control of production and profits local and sustainable.

In addition to a veg box scheme, Bruern Farms have a small farm shop. This shop offers a range of home grown and local products including its own pasture-fed English longhorn beef, free range pork, eggs and wild venison. The latest venture is the soon-to-be-opened farm café, which is likely to be helpful in engaging local people in the work being pioneered by Henry’s team.

What Can We Do?
Henry ended his talk by inviting discussion on how MUWAGA and individuals might use our own knowledge and expertise to encourage more people to get involved in growing their own food. And in the wider scheme of things, how to engage people in the work of Bruern Farms and other local sustainable-farming enterprises, and to learn more about taking control of the quality of the food we eat.

“How to Feed Milton under Wychwood”? Now there’s a challenge! Anyone with an idea, or anyone who would like to know more, can reach Bruern Farms via this link – or can contact MUWAGA in the comments section below with any thoughts and feedback.