Tuesday, 15 May 2018

Oak Tree Farm Rural Project

Anyone into local gardening and a good cause knows about Oak Tree Farm Rural Project situated between Stafford, Stone and Uttoxeter.

"Oak Tree Farm provides training and supported occupation for adults with learning disabilities, in a rural environment."

For the last three years I've visited their May Plant Day and have had the best bedding plants, herbs and veg possible. There is never an inch of spare space in the car driving home.


I didn't think to take a photo there, but here's a shot of some of my shopping having returned home. That's £15 worth on the table and more on the floor... (whoops... and a few of my own home-grown plants too in there)

Two years ago I heard about the Plant Day having driven past going to work. I had friends up for the weekend and we all decided to drop in. We were amazed.

Prices are typically a third off or even half of nursery/supermarket/building supplies merchant's garden centre prices... You can tell each plant has been loved and nurtured.

KUDOS go to Alan J Hartley of Hixon for his unusual and exotic herbs and vegetables. He also has a great website and gardening diary with tips on the unusual plants I tend to veer towards. Unfortunately this year, I was either growing them already or didn't have the space... I was tempted by that Chicory though.

Also, HIGH PRAISE to the Fuschia man! He took great pride in his small greenhouse, and there were lots of varieties on show.

I bought Lena. It's a delightful purple fuschia with a full frou-frou dress... (I don't know the technical terms here!) My friend Lena LOVES purple, I thought it was appropriate.

I also bought a group of Male-named plants... Ernie and Harry Gray. It'll be a show off for showiness between the girls and the lads...

A few more bedding plants planted. Some NICOTIANA for evening scent and lobelia for display. I've mixed some in with my tomatoes, but the pigeons are already having a peck or two... It might just end up being lobelia in there...


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