WE visited Yeo Valley Organic Garden at Holt Farm near Blagdon, Somerset on our summer coach trip this August.

Some of us started purchasing plants as soon as we got to the entrance to the garden as we had spotted unusual specimens at very reasonable prices. The six and a half acre garden is the only one in Britain to be certified organic by the Soil Association and has been developed over the past twenty years by Sarah Mead and her team. We were given an introductory talk by the Head Gardener who reminded us that the BBC programme ‘Hive Alive’ had been filmed there earlier in the summer. He invited us to talk to the garden team as we walked around the gardens if we had any questions, as all the team come up with ideas and get involved with new developments in the garden. He told us to make sure that we looked at the compost-yard as the compost they make is, of course, the foundation of the organic garden. The individual sections of the garden are surrounded with a variety of hedges and on this fairly windy day, it was clear that these provide protection for the plants they contain. The surrounding countryside is beautiful and includes a stunning view over Blagdon Lake. The glasshouse garden and veggie garden are in the formal part of the garden whilst at the front of the house is the gravel garden and a variety of meadows. After wandering around these lovely grounds, admiring the planting and taking photographs, we then retired to the Tea Room for lunch. The food was excellent; locally produced and homemade. We had enough time to revisit the grounds and sample the tea and cake before leaving for home.

Our next meeting is a garden visit near Evesham, for more details contact Brian Skeys 01684311297 www.blackpeargc.org.uk

LORNA WINSTONE