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Description
Nant-y-Bedd, an RHS Partner Garden, translates from the Welsh as ‘Stream of the Grave’ – there are two Bronze Age burial mounds where the stream starts its journey from the top of the mountain. This is a very special 10 acre organic garden with woodland, a river and pasture, nestled in the forested Grwyne Fawr valley at 1200 feet up in the Black Mountains in Brecon Beacons National Park in Wales.
Crafted over 44 years the garden stretches up the hill into the forest and slopes gently down to the Grwyne Fawr river. It is difficult to see where the garden ends and the wild begins, so well does it sit within its landscape. Sustainability, often an over-used word, really comes to the fore at Nant y Bedd. Not for Sue Mabberley, Garden Owner, bought-in compost and potting mixes, she makes all of her own, with compost bins constantly supplying a rich, friable product. Seeds are saved and resown in subsequent years, hazel from the riverside is coppiced to support runner beans and peas, and skips are raided for old windows to make cold-frames. Electricity from the micro-hydro on the stream powers the heated propagator and the pump for the natural swimming pond. ‘Weeds’ are welcome. This is gardening with a light carbon footprint.
Sue, your Tutor for the day, has a first class honours degree in Environmental Systems, has professionally devised and delivered practical environmental training courses, and has gardened wildly and enthusiastically at Nant-y-Bedd for over 44 years, assisted over the past 28 or so years by her husband, Ian. Slowly but surely the garden has grown and evolved with various projects being added over the years, including the natural swimming pond, the shepherd’s hut, tree-sculpture ‘Cedri’c, and most recently, the treehouse.
This Workshop will cover a discussion around what is meant by ‘Wild Gardening’, native/non-native planting, embracing self-seeders, an introduction to Wahi-sabi Forest Gardening, ‘No Dig’ gardening benefits to wildlife, and how to achieve a ‘wild’ style without compromising productivity. There will also be time to look around the Garden at end of afternoon.
“If there is a more magical wild garden I have yet to find it! Wonderful!!” – Alan Titchmarsh
Timings:
10am – 3.30pm
Refreshments
Tea, coffee, cake and biscuits are provided. Please bring a packed lunch.
Please Bring:
As well as a packed lunch, please bring sensible footwear and weather appropriate outdoor clothing.
Costs:
£Members £65 | Non-members £85
Please read our Terms & Conditions for important information relating to our Standard Cancellation Policy.
Photographs courtesy and copyright of Nant y Bedd.
