Pond Contemplation

Round & About

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Round & About

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My pond gives an added dimension to the garden and an opportunity to encourage diverse wildlife and a whole new range of plants. Someone once said to me “A garden without a pond is like a theatre without a stage”

Where to start

It is not as simple as digging a hole but that’s a good place to start! Find a suitable spot in the garden and plan one in scale with the rest of the site. Ideally avoid a rigid liner and instead go for a flexible liner which will mould to the hole you have dug. It’s important to have a deep area and a shallow beach area and place it where you can enjoy it.

Sculpt the pond

Ensure there is a deep area in the middle or at one side. When we did ours the patio flanks the deep area, this should be around three feet for deep water aquatics and over wintering plants, fish and wildlife. From the deep area there is a gentle slope in case our residential hedgehogs fall in and a shelf around the edge for marginal plants. It’s important to do all this before you fill your pond with water.

Line the pond

Use and underlay, carpet, newspaper and anything else to prevent the butyl or pvc liner getting damaged. Also ensure the size of the liner allows for the depth of the pond too. Spread over and fold as you fill with water, it helps to get in a this point. The water will pull the liner into place and make sure there is an overlap.

Plant your pond

After adding a product to neutralise all the nasties in tapwater you can plant. It’s important to edge the pond with stones, cobbles, gravel and plant amongst these. Here you can use perennials, ferns and small woody plants. Place your oxygenators into water, plant deep water aquatics like water lilies in the deepest part and add marginals on the shelf around the edge. You can also add floating aquatics like water soldiers and frogbit. It’s essential to have the range of plants for example without marginals the dragonfly larvae can’t get out of the water and shading of the surface is essential from the deep water aquatics and floaters.

Fish and Wildlife

You have to decide whether you want fish and the wildlife will come. Often newt eggs and snails come with the plants. Flying insects are drawn to the water like pond skaters, damselflies and dragonflies. Try to let the pond balance itself. If you have a range of plants to cover the surface this will happen and don’t be put off by the water going green or murky it’s a natural process.

Enjoy your pond

There is lots of learn so read up about it or visit my gardening school for some inspiration. As well as looking after the pond it’s important just to sit, gaze and contemplate.

Website Cathie’s Gardening School: Surrey’s Garden School (cathiesgardeningschool.co.uk)

Email [email protected]

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Become a nature sleuth with SWT

Karen Neville

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Image by: Danny Green

Karen Neville

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Get a free Wildlife Recording Kit and monitor local green spaces

Want to know what wildlife might be making its home on ground you own, manage or work on with a community group?

Help is at hand thanks to Surrey Wildlife Trust’s new Wildlife Recording Kits – boxes filled with surveying equipment to help community groups undertake species monitoring on sites from gardens and recreation grounds to local woodland.

The kits are available free of charge from Guildford and Godalming Libraries and directly from the Trust’s head office in Pirbright, and can be reserved for one or two weeks at a time.

Image by: Jon Hawkins

With one-third of local species in trouble, Surrey Wildlife Trust is on a mission to encourage more people to take action to protect and provide homes for native plants and animals – and these kits will help people identify what wildlife, from minibeasts to moths to small mammals, is present, enabling them to make better informed land management decisions to benefit nature. Actions could include putting up signage to encourage people not to walk on wildflowers, installing bird feeders filled with suitable food for a particular species, installing bat boxes, planting hedgerows to support butterflies and moths or creating ponds for newts.

The Trust currently has the following equipment available:

• Bat kit including high-viz jackets for working at night, a bat detector and call frequency guide.

• Pond kit including nets, trays for specimens and identification guides for a range of species.

• Minibeasts kit including magnifying pots, equipment for handling specimens and ID guides.

• Small mammals kit including footprint tunnels and plates, feeding kit and ‘tracks and signs’ ID guide.

• Soil kit with a corer and tester kit to establish soil chemistry.

• Plant kit including quadrats, magnifiers and ID guides for a huge range of local native flora.

• For those with a cinematic bent, a trail camera kit is also available. This can be set up to record badgers, foxes, hedgehogs, birds, mice and other creatures that might visit when you are not present.

Once people have completed their surveys, the Trust is encouraging users to report their findings to the Surrey Biodiversity Information Centre (SBIC) to help it gain important information on the distribution and abundance of species and habitats across the county.

SWT’s Community Engagement Manager Claire Harris says: “You don’t have to be a professional to contribute to science and conversation. SWT is proud to work with a broad range of community organisations across the county, but we want even more people to get involved in mapping, understanding and restoring the natural world. It’s great the local Libraries of Things are working with us to help people find out more about what lives on their doorsteps. If we all play our part, we can open minds, transform local areas and ultimately create a much wilder environment for everyone to enjoy.”

More information about how to book kit, and the equipment hire agreement is at Wildlife Recording Kits | Surrey Wildlife Trust

SWT also runs courses that enable people to learn more about species and habitats in Surrey. Any adult can register to attend here. The Trust also offers a limited number of FREE places to Surrey-based community groups, who are signed up to its Wilder Communities programme.

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Chiltern Sky Flowers blooming lovely farm

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

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Fiona & Chris McLeod own & run Chiltern Sky Flowers in Bledlow Ridge, working with the seasons & Mother Nature to show younger generations the power of flowers

There is no age limit to growing flowers, as long as you keep fit and healthy. In fact, can there be any more wonderful way to connect with nature and spend your life outside?

That’s the message from Fiona & Chris who set up their own small-scale flower farm in their late fifties. “We’ve lived in Bledlow Ridge for 29 years,” says Fiona, “but we only set up the flower farm in 2018, with a view to having a retirement project for our future.

“We don’t have children, but we do support our local primary school in Bledlow Ridge, who visit us as part of their nature studies, learning about the four seasons… Shout-out to the best primary school in Bucks!”

The couple are passionate about conserving our ecological environment in The Chiltern Hills. The chalk grassland and meadows are rich habitats for wildflowers and wildlife. Owls, bats, red kites, grass snakes, bees, moths and butterflies are some of their companions.

Their flower beds are constructed using the “no dig” method. They also use peat-free compost and are committed to reducing single-use plastic and recycling. They harvest rainwater from their cottage roof, storing it in deep, brick-built Victorian wells.

Right now the summer flowers (including a dazzling display of achillea, ammi, cornflowers, cosmos, dahlias, phlox, snapdragons and fragrant sweet peas) are blooming, before autumn-flowering highlights such as dahlias take centre stage, along with anemones, asters, helianthus, verbena and zinnias.

Fiona and Chris have nothing but love for their village. “Bledlow Ridge is small but full of local talent,” says Fiona. “There’s a fabulous café run by Martina up at the cricket club. Martina bakes our cakes when we host workshops.

“Bledlow Ridge is a small, friendly community and there are plenty of groups you can join”

“It’s a small, friendly community here and there are plenty of groups you can join to meet and make friends. Bledlow Ridge sits high up in the Chiltern Hills with beautiful views. It’s a fabulous area for walking and hiking, and brilliant wildlife with unspoilt countryside.

“We have a wonderful pub, The Boot. Down the road is the great pub, The Sir Charles Napier, then you have The Lions of Bledlow, the wonderful West Wycombe Walled Garden café and – our favourite venue for buying presents for family and friends – The Apple Orchard at West Wycombe.”

The duo can provide flowers for weddings & other special events. The farm will host a floristry workshop on Saturday, 7th September.

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Down to Earth with new incense

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

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Whether you’re meditating, practising yoga or just want to create a chilled atmosphere, the new Earth range by Temple of Incense is your grounding in peace

A harmonious blend of amber woods, earthy musk, tonka bean and mitti (Hindi for soil). Earth by Temple of Incense captures the raw, earthy elements that keep you connected and grounded, and will bring the outside in.

Whether you’re meditating, practicing yoga, looking to sync your body to the natural rhythms of the earth, or just want to create a chilled atmosphere, Earth incense sticks are the gateway to peace and tranquillity.

Even a brief burn of 10 minutes will renew your energy and enhance your vibe with the natural world.

Temple of Incense masterfully creates fresh and diverse vegan and cruelty-free, temple-grade incense sticks, resins, oudh and oils for every occasion and every room. Each box contains 20 luxury incense sticks, ethically hand-crafted with love and consciousness, masterfully created from the best quality oils and resins, sourced locally and from around the world.

The Temple of Incense story began in 2012 on a little market stall on Portobello Road, when two sisters from London – Simi and Sam Aydee – brought their expertise and passion for incense stick artistry to life, creating and marketing world-class natural incense, along with traditional and contemporary sculptural stick holders and bowls to complement every home décor. 

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Open gardens highlights in West Sussex

Liz Nicholls

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Liz Nicholls

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Need some budget-friendly ideas for fun & fresh air? Kate Harrison invites us to visit some summertime beauties, including Whitehanger in Haslemere, thanks to the National Garden Scheme

Visiting a National Garden Scheme garden isn’t just for adults – there’s plenty of fun (and homemade cake) to be had this summer at our gardens for children too. And, with children going free at the majority of our gardens, a day out at a National Garden Scheme garden is a great way to have a budget-friendly break from digital devices, reconnect with nature and support great causes.

Whitehanger in Haslemere, GU27 3PY, is opening its stunning gardens 10am to 4.30pm on Sunday, 18th August, in support of NGS charities. Set in six acres on the edge of the South Downs National Park surrounded by NT woodland, this rural garden was started in 2012 when a new Huf house (not open) was built on a derelict site. Now there are lawned areas with beds of perennials, a serenity pool with Koi carp, a wildflower meadow, a Japanese garden, a sculpture garden, a woodland walk, a large rockery and an exotic walled garden.
Admission £6.50, children £6.50. Pre-booking essential, please visit National Garden Scheme for information & booking. Visits also by arrangement until 9th Sept for groups of 8 to 35. Final numbers must be given a week before visiting & payment made by BACS.

4 Hillside Cottages in West Stoke PO18 9BL, will open 11am-4pm on Sunday, 18th August. This stunning garden full of energy, and delight in a beautiful rural setting is set against the rolling hills is a riot of colour and scent. The densely planted and immaculate borders are filled with a large collection of shrubs, roses, clematis, fuchsias and dahlias. Yet more roses and clematis climb up every wall, fence and trellis. There is a tidy and well stocked vegetable garden which overlooks the countryside, lush green lawns and a terrace to sit and enjoy a drink and a piece of cake.
Admission £5, children free. Home-made teas in aid of local hospice. Book online or pay on the day. Visits also by arrangement until 18th August. Visit National Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk) for more details and booking.

The Folly in Charlton, PO18 0HU, will open 2-4.30pm on Sunday, 25th August and by arrangement. This colourful cottage garden surrounds a C16 period house (not open), set in the pretty downland village of Charlton, close to Levin Down Nature Reserve. The herbaceous borders are well-stocked with a wide range of perennials, grasses, annuals and shrubs to provide long season of colour and interest. There are places to sit and take in the garden and views with a cup of tea or coffee and home-made cake, an art studio open to visitors, winding grass pathways and a wealth of wildlife. Partial wheelchair access with steps from patio. Visitors with mobility issues can be dropped off at the gate.
Admission £5, children free. Home-made teas. Book online on the NGS website or pay on the day. Visit National Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk) for more details.

The Old Vicarage in Washington will welcome you every Thursday in August and 10am-5pm on Monday, 26th August, pre-booking essential. As well as the stunning views looking towards the North Downs, enhanced by mature and various specimen trees, the garden has many pockets of interest. There is a Japanese garden with its waterfall, pond, bamboo and grasses, a further large water garden and numerous creatively planted herbaceous borders. A working kitchen garden has glasshouses, fruit cages, orchard and vegetables. The Italianate gazebo with green oak columns and lead roof offers a wonderfully comfortable place to sit and contemplate the beauty of this garden. The treehouse is much loved by young and old alike, from here the nature viewing platform opens on to the woodland copse area which incorporates a stream and architectural stumpery. Everyone loves the topiary of characters who watch over the tennis court.
Entry £7pp children free. Book at National Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk). Self service light refreshments (cash only) and picnics welcome.

Fittleworth House in Pulborough will open 2-5pm on Wednesday, 7th August. This is a three-acre tranquil, romantic, country garden with walled kitchen garden growing a wide range of fruit, vegetables and flowers including a large collection of dahlias. There’s a large glasshouse and old potting shed, mixed flower borders, roses, rhododendrons and lawns, a magnificent 115ft tall cedar overlooks wisteria covered Grade II listed Georgian house (not open), wild garden, long grass areas and stream.
Adults £5, children free. Book at National Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk) or pay on the day. Home-made teas.

Champs Hill in Pulborough will open 2-5pm on Sunday, 11th August. A natural landscape, the garden has been developed around three disused sand quarries with far-reaching views across the Amberley Wildbrooks to the South Downs. A woodland walk in spring leads you past beautiful sculptures, against a backdrop of colourful rhododendrons and azaleas. In summer the garden is a colourful tapestry of heathers, which are renowned for their abundance and variety.
Adults £5, children free. Book online at National Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk) or pay on the day. Home-made teas.

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Water, water everywhere…

Karen Neville

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Artist Helen Grimbleby unveils the next ‘episode’ of her Nature Sketchbook

August. Long school summer holidays in full flow. Seaside trips. Rock pooling, crabbing, fishing, sea swims, fish and chips, ice-cream.

Dip a bucket to find treasure; maybe shrimps, anemones, limpets, snails and crabs. Perhaps hiding in the seaweed, a starfish, a magical creature, textured moon rock, always holding form and what a beautiful form it is. Gently return the sea creatures to their rock pool home to refresh when sea water comes in or travel on the next tide.

If you don’t find a crab in a pool, dangle a line from the harbour and see what bites. Take care! Their claws can nip.

Carefully swim, not too far now. Or snorkel. There’s a whole mysterious world just below the surface.

Ice-cream can be so nice and cool on a hot summer’s day, especially for cheeky herring gulls.

The ocean is hugely important to “Regulate rainfall and droughts, hold 97% of our planet’s water, and absorb CO2, help keep the carbon cycle in balance. From food to jobs, it’s a lifeline for billions of people, too” (World Economic Forum)

All is not well with our water systems. 75% of UK rivers pose a risk to human health. Only 14% of the UK’s rivers are in good ecological health, even then, they fail to meet chemical standards. Read more from The Rivers Trust or Surfers Against Sewerage. Significant polluters are often large organisations. We can care and be responsible for how we use our sewerage systems. Better to start somewhere, no?

De-stress. Walk along a river or a canal. Rest by a beautiful lake or pond.

Dragon flies, damsel flies, kingfishers are just a few streaks of bright colour you might see. According to scientific research being around water is fantastic for our emotional and psychological well being and an antidote to our often otherwise frenetic lives.

“Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man.” Stewart Udall

Helen Grimbleby is a West Berks/ North Hants based artist who is inspired by the natural world’s changing seasons. After exploring outside, she enjoys writing, illustrating and painting larger landscapes at her home studio (@helengrimblebyart).

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Affinity Water’s eco garden competition winners

Round & About

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Well done to Sam Proctor of Amersham’s Chiltern Garden Design and other local stars in Affinity Water’s competition

Sam brought her debut show garden to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May, to much acclaim. The Water Saving Garden was designed to highlight the urgent need to save and reuse rainwater, a cause inspired by Chiltern chalk streams.

After the show, the award-winning garden was generously offered in a unique competition by the garden’s sponsor, Affinity Water, open to be won by a community garden or local initiative that’s beneficial to people and planet.

Three entries were shortlisted for consideration by the judging panel, all of extremely high merit. The winner is Iver Environment Centre, run by charity Groundwork South which delivers inspiring ecology-based learning to primary local school pupils. They also run volunteering programmes for skills development and to improve mental and physical health for young and old alike.

Iver Environment Centre will incorporate The Water Saving Garden into an educational water garden to inspire people to learn about pollinators, plants and changing weather patterns. Together with Holmer Green-based Castle Landscapes, who built the garden at RHS Chelsea, the team worked with volunteers to install the show garden to be enjoyed and looked after by the centre’s 8,000 visitors and volunteers per year.

Honourable mentions also go to the runners up Stony Dean School in Amersham, and Watford & Three Rivers Trust in Watford, which had strong entries to the competition and both do really beneficial work helping local people with significant needs.

Sam tells us: “Chiltern Garden Design offers a bespoke garden design service to homeowners, offering everything from conceptual design and planning to detailed design, bespoke built-in furniture, outdoor lighting design, planting design, irrigation, aftercare and more. We were honoured to have been able to create our first show garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year, for which we received a bronze medal. Our passion is bringing people joy through creating beautiful gardens that suit them and their family’s needs.

“My wish is that humanity wakes up and gets together to find solutions to the climate crisis coming down the track before it’s too late.”

Sam, 51, lives with her husband Nigel, an award-winning photographer, and moved to Bucks from Manchester. “We love Nena in Amersham as well as the Grocery for brunch and coffee. Gershon & Sons in Old Amersham and No.2 Pound Street in Wendover are both fabulous for a bit of cheese indulgence. No 1 High St in Wendover is a lovely moochy shop for gifts and treats. We were so sad that Drop in Old Amersham has recently closed – great wine and company were always to be found there and we wish James all the best for his next venture.

“We have spent many happy evenings at the Queens Head in Chesham, and enjoy a walk down to the Crown, the Swan or the Elephant & Castle in Amersham old town for a drink or a bite. The Griffin and Hawkyns Brasserie in old Amersham are both lovely for special dinners, as well as Brazils in Chesham. An honourable mention to The Drawing Room in Chesham which is quirky and fun, and actually where Nigel and I had our first date!

“We love Heritage Day in Old Amersham and are looking forward to introducing friends from outside the area to its delights this year.”

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The Flora Lab & Sophie’s choices

Liz Nicholls

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Sophie Parker, 33, the Bucks founder of gorgeous home fragrance company The Flora Lab shares her love for local life

Q. Hi Sophie! Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
“Hello! Yes: I’m the proud owner of The Flora Lab, which champions the use of plant-based wax. I’ve only got one boss, and that’s the CDO (chief doggy officer), a mini poodle cross called Leulah.”

Q. What’s your mission with The Flora Lab?
“We specialise in hand-poured natural-wax candles that are just a little bit Floralabulous. Championing the use of plant-based wax, stand-out botanical packaging and an unwavering commitment to both scent experience and sustainability, The Flora Lab aims to sprinkle a little bit of magic into every day! Using nature as a backdrop, and inspired by life’s little moments, our seasonal scents run across the fragrance wheel, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Now stocked in more than 60 independent stores and at The Flora Lab, we hope the Flora Lab becomes a household name in the world of home fragrances in both the UK and Ireland.”

Q. Did you grow up locally?
“I’m Bucks born and raised, initially in High Wycombe before moving to Beaconsfield about 10 years ago. I was lucky enough to go to three fabulous schools; Great Kingshill Combined School, Holmer Green Senior School, where I met most of my friends whom I’m still in touch with today, before studying my A-levels at Wycombe High.”

Q. Tell us more about your ‘boss’ Leulah!
“Leulah is my world. As a self-employed person, the days can get a little lonely. Thankfully, Leulah is always by my side to provide confidence, cuddles and lots of love!”

Q. What are your favourite local walks?
“I love nothing more than a walk through the trees at Burnham Beeches and Marlow has a special spell over me, especially during these wonderful dusky summer nights.”

Q. What are your favourite local pubs or restaurants?
“I always take people to the Royal Standard of Beaconsfield, just for the ‘wow’ factor (although their pub quiz is far too hard!) I also love Melody Mint in Beaconsfield – the standard of coffee is fantastic and it was exactly what the old town needed.”

Q. What are your local highlights?
“My favourite is always strawberry picking at Peterley. It’s something I’ve done since I was a child and it still makes me happy to this day.”

Q. What do you most love about where you live?
“The ability to have one step in the country, one in the city.”

Q. Are you a member of any local groups?
“I’m a member of David Lloyd and I thoroughly recommend it (although it is very expensive).”

Q. Finally, if you could make one wish for the world, what would it be?
“It’s not for the world, but specifically for the UK. Loneliness is something we all suffer with, let’s not worry too much about what we think other people will think and simply open up for a chat.”

Follow @thefloralab on Instagram and get 15% off your first online order with the code: BeautifulBucks

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Winning gardeners don’t hedge their bets

Round & About

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We love these award-winning topiary designs – what do you think?

Garden ladder expert, Henchman has unveiled the winners of its 2024 inaugural Topiary Awards. The competition, honours the centuries-old tradition of shaping living sculptures from plants.

The entries from across Britain were evaluated based on a comprehensive set of criteria designed to assess their creativity, craftsmanship, and overall impact, by an esteemed panel of topiary experts and horticulturalists including; Elizabeth Hilliard, Editor of European Boxwood and Topiary Society (EBTS) magazine TOPIARIUS; Michael Buck, Head of Horticulture at Creepers Nursery; Andy Bourke, professional topiarist better known as The Hedge Barber; and Owen Simpson, Managing Director at Henchman. 

Taking home first prize in the Professional Gardener Category is Harrie Carnochan from West Sussex. Harrie maintains this topiary garden, the immaculate symmetry wowed the judges, with Harrie’s expert attention to detail and skill evident in the high-impact finish. Small topiary balls sit atop perfectly sculpted columns to welcome visitors to the garden, with rounded trees standing proudly around the lawn.

In second place is Suffolk-based Chris Reeve, whose topiary creation brings a touch of magical enchantment to any garden. The design features a carefully crafted frog that seems ready to leap into life. Its intricate details include rounded eyes, a pronounced mouth and gracefully arched limbs, showcasing exceptional skill, creativity and a keen eye for detail.

Recognised for his charming and lifelike depiction of two dogs, the highly commended award goes to Simon Newman from Worcestershire.

The winning entry in the Home Gardener Category goes to David Hawson from Aberdeenshire, whose design features a whimsical scene featuring countryside animals and marine creatures carefully sculpted into a continuous hedge, resulting in a high-impact horizon.

In second place is Petra Hoyer-Millar from Oxfordshire, whose design features a series of perfectly clipped hedges crafted into large, rounded shapes that flow sinuously to create a cloud-like effect, guiding the eye along their length with artistic precision and skill.

The Henchman Choice Award, voted for by the Henchman team, goes to Bedfordshire-based Keith Miles for his impressive life-size tractor sculpture crafted from densely trimmed shrubs.

The winners were announced at this year’s RHS Hampton Court Flower Festival, where they received a trophy, a bundle for Henchman products, an annual membership to the European Boxwood and Topiary Society and a day trip for two to one of the EBTS UK’s day-long garden trips. Well done to all!

For more information about Henchman, visit Henchman | Tripod Ladders & Safe Working Platforms

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The milky way at Laceys Farm!

Round & About

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Will Lacey of Laceys Farm tells us more about life in the beautiful Bucks farm his great great grandparents started a century ago

Summer isn’t just our favourite season. The ladies on Laceys Farm – set amid a glorious patchwork of hills – also love the sunshine, as do their calves.

“The cows are all out to graze the fields now”, says Will Lacey. “We have cows calving all year round, so new arrivals are possible every day. The calves love warmer weather, charging round the fields burning off their energy.”

“The calves love warmer weather”

Will’s family have farmed the same land for seven generations and welcomed visitors last month for LEAF Open Farm Sunday. “We’re a working farm, so it’s great to open the farm, with milking demonstrations, tractor and trailer rides, a barbecue and special offers in the shop.

“We’re doing lots of work to improve and enhance the environment across our farm, with a patch work of different habitats including hedgerows, chalk grasslands, wildflower meadows and winter bird feed crops. The soil is our most valuable assest, so how we manage this and look after it is crucial for the success of our crops and the future of farming.

“Farming is very consistent year on year. Our summer stars with harvesting our grass before moving on to hay, barley and maize crops. We have benefitted from the wet spring, being on a chalk hills we need regular rainfall, and our grass volumes have been good this year.

“We are so lucky in this area to have such a variety of habitats. And with a great mix of dedicated farmers and land managers looking after the countryside we are all fortunate to be able to enjoy it through out the seasons.”

“It’s great to see the work started by my great great grandparents more than 100 years ago continue. We’ve always farmed in a way that supports farming and looking after the countryside. Through the farm shop we can tell people what happens on their local farm and you can enjoy the harvest of our produce.

“One thing few people know about farming is that it’s a tech industry! Every cow is managed individually so that we can know everything from how much milk she produces, how many steps she does a day and even how many hour she sits down for!”

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