Brynllwyd Nurseries

05/06/2026

Runner or pole bean supports going in. I like this stage because it means the veg start going 3D
They look rather hillbilly because Brynllwyd doesn't yet grow many straight sticks, but I guess it adds a bit of character!
Because these are growing in a non fenced area I've protected the plants using old tree guards.

03/06/2026

The beautifull stems of the rainbow Chard.
These plants have sat all winter and are about to go to seed. Some will be saved for seed to be sown next year or even later sowings this year. I'll be replacing with some beautifull multicoloured sweetcorn
I'll often fry these stems up for an omelette for lunch and add the leaves last minute. Definately too colourful and nutritious to be wasted.

02/06/2026

After the battering, and then finally the rebuild I'm over the moon to see the large tunnel stocked up.
Massive thanks to a local organic farmer that has supplied year old certified organic manure to build the beds back up.
In the beds I've planted red and yellow tomatoes, aubergines, brocolli, basil and African marigolds.
I wasn't sure how these plants would cope with the richness, so planted them in handfuls of home made compost.
They seem happy and the Tom's are now beginning to flower.
Trying to increase the annual veg area, to go with compliments recieved about our produce.
Please get intouch if you'd like to try our produce.
Turning this land from clearfull to a bright productive loved land. Full of life and food.

02/06/2026

Cranberry in flower.

The Flower almost looks like something out of Alice in wonderland.

I use cranberry in Brynllwyd's peat bog. It's a plant that can cope with acidic conditions, high rainfall and low nutrient levels; just what a healthy peat bog needs also.
Using plants like this it means that not only is the bog a wonderfull unique habitat, capturing amazing amounts of carbon its also a productive area growing crops at the same time. I can assess how the bog is developing whilst checking on growth of crop plants.

01/06/2026

Brynllwds first strawberry for 2026!!

01/06/2026

I share this because ive had a few new followers in recent time and I've mentioned how bleak and desolate Brynllwyd was once.

I think pretty pictures often get the most attention on here.
But I'm having a day with my tomatoes today, in the dry. I'll post a few comparison type pics in the future.
But this is how I first fell in love with Brynllwyd and how 22years of learning started.
She wasn't pretty, she wasn't calm and her soil and soul had been ravaged.
My objective had always been to make up for the devastation I'd see at Nebury bypass. This is the starting point for my restoration dream. The only way was up!!
I'm still learning, I'm still planting but occasionally; (not often) I can sit under the shade of a tree I helped along its way, watching wildlife go about their business.
I'll be wanting help to restore brynllwyds peat bog at somepoint in the not too distant future, to take biodiversity here onto the next level. So if you can help in any way that would be appreciated.
Thanks James

31/05/2026

Ride species and management.

Rides are essential, not just for access but for light and edge creation.
Diversity I believe is key to a healthy ecosystem. Different management techniques can create different habitats, interlaced it creates a space for greater number of various species.
I post plenty about species growing off of the rides but few that grow along the rides.
Here are louse wort and birds foot trefoil. The louse wort is a semi parasitic plant feeding on the roots of the grasses allowing for easier establishment of other wild flowers whilst Birds foot trefoil is a nitrogen fixer, taking nitrogen from the atmosphere; storing and releasing it through its roots, feeding its self and other plants nearby.
Edges of rides are managed on alternate years to encourage spaces for refuge and seeding of plants.

31/05/2026

Yesterday I had a lovely day at The Flower Meadow, loads of lovely chats and sales also, thankyou....... But the absolute highlight of the day was a little girl who updated me on a little monkey puzzle tree that she got from me.
She enthusiastly told me how much it had grown and what she'd done to look after it, then went on to tell me of her tomatoes and how she was looking forward to salads!!
A clear highlight to see young ones passionate about growing!
If you see this, thankyou especially!

Pictured is one of Brynllwyds monkey puzzles. I think because of her growth habit she may a female, especially as she's growing with such close Sitka companions which would have usually drawn her up but she continues to be quite short and bushy.

29/05/2026

I'll be here tomorrow, please come along and say hi, let's chat about alternative land management, diversity and all this soil!!

Hope to see you.

Only 1 more days until our Green Thumb Horticulture Day!

This is going to be a fabulous event for all the family, Speakers, workshops, lots of lovely plants and things for sale as well as some incredible community groups and food and drink.

See our event page for more details.

25/05/2026

The other day I posted the wild service tree that i had grown from seed now beginning its journey above me. The wild service was about 8 years old.
Pictured today is one of the first trees I ever planted, either by seed (24 years ago) or here at Brynllwyd. (22).
Even though in theory shes old enough to start producing nuts/seed, She's only just a little taller than me, she's never raced away, she seems happy every year just to slowly grow.
I'm more than OK with this as many of the others just died on this bleak windswept clearfell site.
These days, though I don't plant loads any more the few I have are doing a lot better. Due mainly, I think to it's slva companions offering wind protection and mulch, both natural and wood chip applied by my self.