Top gardening tips from Montagu Arms head gardener Matt Orme
Diversity is key: have a variety of flowers, shrubs, trees, grasses and even weeds. We use zero pesticides at The Montagu Arms and our plants go untouched by ‘pests’ because of these methods. It could be providing some greenery or flowers in a time when there isn’t much else growing, or it could be attracting pollinators and by removing it, you’d then be taking away a valuable food source for them.
Diversity is key: have a variety of flowers, shrubs, trees, grasses and even weeds. We use zero pesticides at The Montagu Arms and our plants go untouched by ‘pests’ because of these methods. It could be providing some greenery or flowers in a time when there isn’t much else growing, or it could be attracting pollinators and by removing it, you’d then be taking away a valuable food source for them.
“We allow stinging nettles to grow in certain areas as they provide food and habitat for certain butterflies but remove them from areas where guests might be at risk of being stung. I have tested this plenty of times and found the sparrows are quick to move in for an easy meal. We plant plenty of poppies around the garden to help increase hoverfly numbers. And whilst this isn’t a tool, having the ability to visualise what you really want in your garden is crucial.
