The Garden at Just Wild
Written by James Cox, head gardener at Just Wild
It would be easy to believe that the garden at Just Wild has been an established feature here for a long time. Mature Pear trees, Medlars and Quince grow among the wildflower lawns, buzzing with the sound of bees during the summer months. The topiary Yew, climbing roses and Pleached crab apples all create a feeling of maturity way beyond the garden’s years.
When Sarah purchased North Hill Farm and started Just Wild, just 15 years ago. The garden had been lost to many years of neglect and an overgrown wilderness of thick brambles, ash trees and bind weed were all here to greet us.
Waterlogged, heavy clay soil added to the challenge that would lie ahead over the next few years. A lot of hard work and long hours played a big part in establishing the garden. It was never seen as a lost cause though, more of a fantastic opportunity to create something new.
Garden designer Amanda Honey (who also just so happens to be Sarah’s sister) was tasked with creating a new design that would blend with the landscape and historic setting of the farmhouse.
A number of essential features were incorporated into the new design, that would ensure the garden was not only productive and environmentally kind, but also a pleasure to spend time in.
We wanted the garden to produce fruit, vegetables and cut flowers for the house and provide a haven for wildlife to flourish.
Interest throughout the seasons was also important to us, starting in early spring with bulbs like fritillaria and Camassia and herbaceous borders for summer and autumn.
Another big part of the plan was to recycle all the garden’s waste into useful materials like composts, leaf mould and liquid feeds and ensure that the garden would be as self-sufficient as possible.
A glasshouse was also another essential feature. A selection of cut flowers are sown each year and later planted out when the last risk of frost has passed. Sweet peas, morning glory and Spanish flag are all among the favourite climbers to be sown each year.
It also provides winter protection for our diverse range of Dahlias. They provide us with an abundance of cut flowers from June through to October.
We have always been strong believers in farming and gardening as naturally and as organically as possible. Biological control is always used to keep one step ahead. Nematodes are used as an effective way of keeping the number of slugs and snails down and to help with the control of caterpillars in the veg garden.
If you are visiting the garden in spring look out for the Frillaries, Camassias and pleached crab apple blossom. Or here in the summer, wander through our cut flowers, wildflower lawns and herbaceous borders. Autumn brings the rewards of harvest time and a glass of our delicious home-made apple juice or cider from the orchards on the farm!
Hope you enjoy it.
Along with Sarah, James and Meg Cox are our wonderful garden team and bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to creating this lovely space.
