Spring/Summer Progress: Breathing Life into History

Greetings, garden enthusiasts! Since our last update in March, we’ve made tremendous strides at Bothy Gardens. Our journey to restore this historic gem, nestled in the Wessex Downs of Wiltshire, continues with passion and dedication. We’re thrilled to share our latest progress as we strive to return the garden to its former Georgian glory with modern twists.

Flourishing Gardens and Nursery

The garden has come alive with the arrival of spring and summer. Planting has been in full swing, with rows of hedges lining most paths, pleached apple trees gracing the main path, and various rare trees and plants adorning the borders. Our vision is to recreate an edible and ornamental nursery, like in Victorian times.

Micro-Nursery and Propagation

Much of our one-acre walled garden will serve as a wholesale micro-nursery of rare and hard-to-find plants and trees. A micro-nursery is a specialised nursery that cultivates high-quality, unique, and often rare plant varieties. Many plants and trees we’ve planted will become stock plants for propagation and sale. Propagation involves growing new plants from various sources, such as seeds, cuttings, and other plant parts. This allows us to expand our collection and provide these unique specimens to other gardening enthusiasts.

Expanding Beyond the Walls

Outside the garden walls, we’re developing a diverse fruit tree orchard with over 60 fruit trees. The car park for Bothy Gardens guests is nearly complete, and we’ve finished planting a hedge along the estate fence.

Looking Ahead

We will focus on making the Bothy weather-tight with new windows and doors in the coming months. We’ll be sanding the wood of the greenhouse and painting it all to be ready to fit the glass before winter. We are also designing and preparing to construct the Bothy Library, slated for 2025, in the northeast corner of the garden. This modern garden library, plus classroom, will blend historical and contemporary resources, offering a unique blend of tools, plant specimens, and educational materials. It will be a space where novice and experienced gardeners can create, learn, share, and grow, fostering a deeper connection to the natural world and horticultural heritage.

Volunteer Opportunities

We have launched a volunteer program, with volunteer days scheduled for four days each month starting on August 22nd. Sign up for our volunteer days if you want to contribute to our project. We’d love to welcome you into the garden and share this incredible journey.