Littlefield

About Littlefield

0.5 acre eco-garden, rescued from derelict land in 2009/10. Restored and subsequently managed entirely without chemical sprays or additives – using ‘permaculture’ techniques. Has become wildlife haven, with abundant insects, butterflies, birds, hedgehogs and amphibians. Bats hunt across the garden, and make use of the pond, as do grass snakes and other garden visitors.

Garden is divided into four zones – (1) orchard with chickens and 2 beehives, (2) vegetable area with raised beds, greenhouse, shed, water harvesting and solar irrigation, (3) wildlife friendly and romantic mixed herbaceous/shrub boarders, pergola with draping wisteria and laburnum, gravel paths and specimen trees and sculptures, and (4) the house, hard standing and patio area, with kitchen herb garden.

Only 13m wide, and just over 150m long, it presented a significant design challenge for the owners Caryn and Bruno. The ecology of the garden has changed over the 10 years of its development – starting with simple wildflower planting in the early years, while the specimen trees settled, replaced with herbaceous and shrubs over time. Hidden under the planting are water retention and flood prevention measures (swales), and solar energy has been harnessed to provide ecological lighting and irrigation. The pond plays a key role for wildlife, as does the enormous insect ‘hotel’ which runs the length of the veggie/fruit area – providing a safe home for essential pollinators and predators.

Planting has been carefully designed to provide food for insects and birds 12 months of the year, and soil health has been developed through composting, mulching and careful ‘no dig’ maintenance.

Photo books and other displays show the evolution of the garden from its derelict beginnings. Other displays introduce the visitor to the key ideas of permaculture and high-sustainability gardening, with wildlife and healthy ecosystems at its heart.