Image courtesy of Kay Maynard
Kay Maynard from @brook_cottage_ shares a fantastic Welsh garden with two adorable sausage dogs and numerous wildlife. With ponds, bridges, weekend shelters, outdoor stoves and a beautifully matched selection of plants, her magical outdoor spaces are available year-round. More details about this vintage-loving upcycler and her gorgeous garden can be found here
Tell us about your current garden
Image courtesy of Kay Maynard
If we could describe our garden in two words, it would be simple and wild. Our garden was made from a complete blank canvas. The front was completely concrete and there was no single plant or tree when it got into the back. It is now a very informal cottage style garden.
I’m relatively new to gardening, but I wanted to create a wildlife-friendly space and grow in a sustainable way. I hope that we have created a relaxing garden where all living creatures feel at home.
What are you most proud of?
Image courtesy of Kay Maynard
I think what I’m most proud of is all the wildlife that currently lives in our small garden. We are fortunate that our wildlife ponds are bustling with life. Welcome butterflies, moths and so many different species of insects.
My plan for the upcoming season is to try and grow more vegetables. Last year we added a cultivation bed and can’t wait to flourish. Hopefully!
Top Gardening Tips for Beginners
Image courtesy of Kay Maynard
One of my best practical tips is to check the soil type you have. Soil testing kits are relatively inexpensive online. I initially lost some plants like Azaleas, Rhododendrons and camelias. I found out they didn’t like my heavy clay soil…
For the new gardener there, my main tip is simply to enjoy the journey. Don’t put pressure on yourself in the perfect garden – that’s not the case! The garden is constantly evolving…
Grows like Kay
This stunning and reliable hydrangea blooms every year
Image: Sutton’s Hidranja Arboressen’s “Pink Annabelle” (©van Son and Koot)
If you want to buy some of the plants that Kay is on display on her Instagram page, here is a quick shopping list:
We hope you enjoy learning more about Kay Maynard from @brook_cottage_. For more inspiration, our series of featured gardeners are packed with fun, imaginative and extremely knowledgeable growers worth following.
The Thompson & Morgan Horticultural team produces a wealth of content on gardening and food production. Since the first seed catalogue was released in 1855, Thompson & Morgan has grown into one of the UK’s largest mail-order seed and plant companies. Through publishing catalogs and running an award-winning website, Thompson & Morgan is able to provide home gardeners with the highest quality products that money can buy.
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