Take a look inside the Yeo Valley Organic Garden

Learn more about organic gardening from Yeo Valley Organic, the proud sponsor of Gardens of the Year 2023

As farmers, the folk at Yeo Valley Organic believe that when we look after nature, it looks after us. That’s why they pride themselves on their organic farming methods, from breeding a herd of free-range cows to creating naturally nourished, healthy soil that’s full of life.

This organic approach is also reflected in the Yeo Valley Organic Garden, managed by head gardener and Gardens of the Year judge, Sarah Mead. Here, Sarah shares how she and her team care for the space, from the plants they grow to the wildlife they help to support.

Why do you think organic gardening is important?

Whether you have a window box or a stately home, you can always make a difference by gardening in a more sustainable way. And the good news is, there’s often a lot less work involved when you decide to work with nature, instead of against it. For example, at the Yeo Valley Organic Garden, we don’t spray artificial pesticides, fungicides or fertilisers, and we mow much less, or sometimes not at all.

What’s a normal day like at the Yeo Valley Organic Garden?

We always have lots going on, so no two days are the same. We close the gates between October and February, and people always assume it must be quiet through winter. Well, it certainly isn’t! That’s when we do all the jobs we’ve been putting off over summer. We plant 30,000 bulbs, we redesign areas of the garden, we mulch our borders, and we maintain paths, tearoom furniture, birdboxes and more. There’s never a dull moment.

What are you growing at the moment?

We’re currently planting multiple buddlejas, which we’re hoping will attract both butterflies and human visitors towards the end of the summer. We’re also lucky enough to have two meadows – one that’s bursting with spring bulbs and the other, the yurt meadow, which has winter stems for colour. Being able to experiment with planting like this is one of the joys of working in the garden.

Are there any other unique planting areas?

We have an area for food production, including our veggie patch and a massive compost section. Soil is key for organic gardening, so we always show visitors our compost – it’s the star of the show! We also have a large glass house for growing plants, a cut flower garden and themed areas in different colours. The birch grove is always a favourite with visitors, as it looks fabulous in spring, when it’s carpeted with bright blue Anemone blanda flowers.

How does the garden support wildlife?

The garden sits in the middle of Yeo Valley Organic’s dairy farm, so all sorts of wildlife species make their homes with us, particularly birds, as we are right by Blagdon Lake. We also have beehives, and the unsung heroes of every organic garden: earth worms, tardigrades and microorganisms in the soil. Healthy soil helps to support these ecosystems, and in turn the wider food chain.

What are you looking for as a Gardens of the Year judge?

An element of fun! The winners will show courage and creative design, leaving us all with something to think about.