He’s the celebrated New Forest gardener with some top tips for those hoping to fulfil their green fingered dreams this summer.
Matt Orme, Head Gardener at Beaulieu country house hotel The Montagu Arms, talks the virtues of weeds and dealing with slugs without pesticides.
In an interview with the Daily Echo, Matt also discussed the perfect gardening tools for beginners.
(Image: Supplied)READ MORE: Meet the chef cooking up a storm at this newly reopened Hampshire country pub
What one piece of advice would you give someone trying to create a better garden at home?
“Stay away from pesticides and allow all of nature in. Diversity is key: have a variety of flowers, shrubs, trees, grasses and even weeds. If you create piles of branches, logs and leaves; eventually you’ll find that everything will balance itself out naturally. We use zero pesticides at The Montagu Arms and our plants go untouched by ‘pests’ because of these methods.”
You’ve mentioned the importance of allowing nature to balance itself out. When it comes to weeding, do you still recommend regular removal?
“This is a good question and it’s one that I discuss quite a lot with our guests.
“You need to re-evaluate what you consider a weed and how to work with them, the space you’re working in, and whether the weed is valuable. 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. We allow plenty of dandelions to grow as they are a vital food source for early bumblebees, plus they have deep roots that are useful for the soil.
“I have weeds around the garden that aren’t what you would usually visualise when you hear the word ‘weed’. – these include forget-me-nots, verbena and poppies to name just a few. I’ll often lift and replant these where I want them.
“Anything else which I decide I don’t want because it’s either becoming too invasive, or because it isn’t useful in its location, I’ll simply remove with a trowel.”
(Image: Supplied)Are there certain weeds that require more attention than others? How can they be managed without relying on chemicals?
“One of the best things you can do to tackle weeds is a really thick layer of mulch. You block out the light by smothering the area with either compost or wood chippings and make it difficult for the weeds to grow. If they do succeed in growing, you should find them much easier to remove by hand as much of their root will be in the loose mulch, rather than the compact earth.
“Another good thing to do is to keep picking at the weeds repeatedly until it basically gives up trying to grow. This isn’t going to work with all weeds, but it will work with some and at least slow down the tough ones.”
What are some natural and practical ways to deal with common garden problems like snails, aphids and slugs?
“Snails, slugs and aphids aren’t really a problem in our garden, and we put that down to the fact that everything is in balance. We have a predator for every ‘pest – birds take care of the slugs and snails for us.
“Aphids apparently give off a pheromone when they are rubbed on a plant which is then picked up by birds who will come over and gladly eat as many as they can find. I have tested this plenty of times and found the sparrows are quick to move in for an easy meal. Just give plenty of space between you and the plants, allowing the birds to feel comfortable to approach.
“You also want to attract hoverflies and wasps into your garden to help tackle aphids. We plant plenty of poppies around the garden to help increase hoverfly numbers. They love nothing more than a good aphid for their meal.”
What are the essential tools all beginner gardeners should have?
“Basic tools to keep you going at first would be a trug, trowel, spade, fork and a good sharp pair of secateurs. And whilst this isn’t a tool, having the ability to visualise what you really want in your garden is crucial. Separately, a nice space for sowing seeds and potting on is ideal.”
(Image: Supplied)