Dorset, Somerset &amp; Bristol

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/@Britt-Willoughby-12601_IMG_0019.jpg" alt="Yeo_Valley_Organic_Garden_ somerset" class="wp-image-110001" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/@Britt-Willoughby-12601_IMG_0019.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/@Britt-Willoughby-12601_IMG_0019-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/@Britt-Willoughby-12601_IMG_0019-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/@Britt-Willoughby-12601_IMG_0019-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/@Britt-Willoughby-12601_IMG_0019-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Yeo Valley Organic Garden @Britt Willoughby</figcaption></figure>



With the <a href="https://yvogardenfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yeo Valley Organic Garden Festival</a> on the horizon &#8211; a three-day gathering of green-fingered thinkers, growers and garden-lovers set in the heart of Somerset on Thurs 18 – Sat 20 Sept – we asked garden designer and broadcaster Arit Anderson and Sarah Mead, creator of the Yeo Valley Organic Garden, for some smart ways to garden more gently with nature in mind.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arit-anderson-s-nature-friendly-gardening-tips">Arit Anderson&#8217;s nature-friendly gardening tips</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/arit-anderson.jpg" alt="arit anderson" class="wp-image-110091" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/arit-anderson.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/arit-anderson-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/arit-anderson-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/arit-anderson-300x400.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/arit-anderson-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/arit-anderson-1152x1536.jpg 1152w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Arit Anderson</figcaption></figure>



Water wisely



Water is a precious resource, especially during dry spells like now, so it makes sense to use it wisely. Install water butts and tanks to collect rainwater, mulch your borders to lock in moisture and choose drought-tolerant plants that can cope with a bit of summer heat. If you need to use mains water, try spot-watering plants &#8211; there’s no need to drench the whole garden. A few simple tweaks can make a big difference, helping your garden stay green while keeping water use to a minimum.



Feed the soil – feed the garden



Do your garden a big favour and show your soil some love.&nbsp; A healthy, living soil is the gardener’s best friend, so please treat it with respect! Add compost or mulch to your borders or patch to avoid too much digging. The worms, bugs and micro-organisms will thank you for it and do the hard work for you, creating the perfect growing conditions for your plants.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/12765_IMG_0431.jpg" alt="Yeo_Valley_Organic_Garden_ somerset" class="wp-image-110007" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/12765_IMG_0431.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/12765_IMG_0431-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/12765_IMG_0431-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/12765_IMG_0431-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/12765_IMG_0431-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">@Yeo Valley Organic Garden</figcaption></figure>



Go peat-free



Peat bogs are incredible carbon stores, vital habitats and a key to tackling climate change. Switching to peat-free compost is a simple yet powerful way to protect them. There are lots of brilliant alternatives out there that will keep your plants thriving. Look out for Soil Association or RHS-approved products and give peat a miss – it’s better for the planet and your garden won’t mind one bit.



Pick the right plants



Choose plants that are naturally suited to your garden’s soil, aspect and microclimate – they will thrive with far less effort. The old mantra “right plant, right place” sticks around for good reason, it’s the simplest way to create a resilient, low-maintenance garden that looks great and works well with nature.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/3105_Bees.jpg" alt="lavender bees Yeo_Valley_Organic_Garden_ somerset" class="wp-image-110006" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/3105_Bees.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/3105_Bees-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/3105_Bees-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/3105_Bees-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/3105_Bees-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">@Yeo Valley Organic Garden</figcaption></figure>



Create a buzz



Turn your garden into a haven for wildlife by making space for nature to settle in. Leave a few wild corners, build a bug hotel or log pile, fill your borders with pollinator-friendly plants and give the pesticides a miss. You’ll be surprised who shows up when you make your garden a little wilder.



Think ahead



A good garden works with nature, not against it. Pick natural or sustainable materials where you can, opt for planting instead of paving and create shady spots to keep things cool. Think ahead about how plants will grow over time, to allow your garden evolve. With a bit of thought now, you’ll end up with a space that’s not just beautiful, but works well for both you and the planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sarah-mead-has-some-advice-on-lawns">Sarah Mead has some advice on lawns </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2250" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/sarah-mead-yeo-valley-24_0912_199.jpg" alt="sarah mead yeo valley organic garden somerset" class="wp-image-110088" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/sarah-mead-yeo-valley-24_0912_199.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/sarah-mead-yeo-valley-24_0912_199-533x800.jpg 533w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/sarah-mead-yeo-valley-24_0912_199-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/sarah-mead-yeo-valley-24_0912_199-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/sarah-mead-yeo-valley-24_0912_199-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/sarah-mead-yeo-valley-24_0912_199-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/sarah-mead-yeo-valley-24_0912_199-1365x2048.jpg 1365w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Sarah Mead, photo by Jonathon Buckley</figcaption></figure>



We all love a good lawn, but it doesn’t need to be bowling-green perfect all season long. Yeo Valley is a big fan of letting the grass grow a little longer during the warmer months. Whether you reduce mowing in the spring and summer, swap a patch for wildflowers, dig in a veg plot, or create a new border – small changes can make a big difference. You can even mow a path through the middle – it keeps things tidy while showing the space is cared for. You’ll save time, support wildlife and bring some colour and interest into your garden. By taking a little bit of lawn away, you can actually make your garden feel bigger and better!



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="999" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/Yeo_Valley_Organic_Garden_Sept2024_©Jonathan_Buckley_24_0912_547-2-1.jpg" alt="Yeo_Valley_Organic_Garden_ somerset" class="wp-image-109999" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/Yeo_Valley_Organic_Garden_Sept2024_©Jonathan_Buckley_24_0912_547-2-1.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/Yeo_Valley_Organic_Garden_Sept2024_©Jonathan_Buckley_24_0912_547-2-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/Yeo_Valley_Organic_Garden_Sept2024_©Jonathan_Buckley_24_0912_547-2-1-1000x666.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/Yeo_Valley_Organic_Garden_Sept2024_©Jonathan_Buckley_24_0912_547-2-1-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/dorsetsomerset/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2025/07/Yeo_Valley_Organic_Garden_Sept2024_©Jonathan_Buckley_24_0912_547-2-1-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Yeo Valley Organic Garden</figcaption></figure>



Don’t miss the chance to see Arit, Sarah Mead and other brilliant gardening voices at the <a href="https://yvogardenfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yeo Valley Organic Garden Festival</a> in Blagdon, near Bristol from Thurs 18 – Sat 20 Sept. <a href="https://shop.beyonk.com/3s6khpky/experiences?theme=024F22" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Book your tickets now.</a>

Arit Anderson’s easy, nature-friendly things to do in your garden right now

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