Image courtesy of Kay Maynard
Kay Maynard from @brook_cottage_ shares her wonderful Welsh garden with two adorable sausage dogs and a plethora of wildlife. With a pond, bridge, weekend shelter, outdoor stove and a beautifully collated selection of plants, her magical outside space can be used all year round. Learn more about this vintage-loving upcycler and her gorgeous garden here…
Tell us about your current garden
Images courtesy of Kay Maynard
If I could describe our garden in two words it would be rustic and wild, which thankfully was the look and feel I was going for! Our garden was created from a total blank canvas – the front was entirely concrete and the back didn’t have a single plant or tree when we moved in. Now it’s a very informal cottage style garden.
I’m relatively new to gardening, but I knew I wanted to create a wildlife-friendly space and grow in a sustainable way. I hope I’ve created a relaxed garden where all creatures feel at home.
What are you most proud of?
Images courtesy of Kay Maynard
I think the thing I’m most proud of is all the wildlife that now resides in our little garden. We’re fortunate to have several birds that nest, our wildlife pond is bustling with life, and we welcome butterflies, moths and so many different species of insects… It’s an absolute joy seeing them all enjoy the garden.
My plan for the season ahead is to try and grow more vegetables. I added a raised vegetable bed last year, and I can’t wait to see it thrive. Hopefully!
Top gardening tip for beginners
Images courtesy of Kay Maynard
One of my best practical tips is to check what soil type you have. Soil testing kits are relatively inexpensive online. I lost a few plants at the beginning like azaleas, rhododendrons and camellias. It turns out they didn’t like my heavy clay soil…
For any new gardeners out there, my main tip is simply to enjoy the journey. Try not to put pressure on yourself for the perfect garden – there’s no such thing! Gardens are always evolving…
Grow like Kay
This stunning and reliable hydrangea blooms year after year
Image: Hydrangea arborescens ‘Pink Annabelle’ from Suttons (© Van Son and Koot)
If you want to buy some of the plants Kay showcases on her Instagram page, here’s a quick shopping list:
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about Kay Maynard from @brook_cottage_. For more inspiration, our full series of Featured Gardeners is packed with fun, imaginative and hugely knowledgable growers who are worth a follow.
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