The u3a Floristry Group always enjoy a visit to a flower farm. Each one we visit is a little different and we always learn so much! We've found the flower farms are always ready to share tips and techniques for growing.

The day of our visit was a beautiful sunny May day.

The Chippy Flower Farm is located at Little Tew, not far from Chipping Norton. The farm was set up in 2020 and focusses on growing flowers for DIY weddings and events, bouquets and for home arranging.

In the summer, you can pick your own flowers and attend creative workshops and events throughout the year. They are members of Flowers from the Farm and contributed to the flowers sent to the King's coronation.

Tif showed us round. Everything is grown without peat or chemicals. Their focus is on growing perennials rather than annuals and also produce plenty of foliage.

Their polytunnel gives the opportunity to extend the growing season with chrysanthemums being picked into December and to produce a succession of plants. Some plants were suspended from the ceiling to avoid the mice munching them.

In another area, vulnerable plants are shaded from the sun. There are also specific cutting patches - the tulip beds had just finished.

They use the no dig method that avoids turning or tilling the soil. Instead, they build soil health by layering organic matter, such as compost and well-rotted manure, directly on the surface

As you can imagine, we asked plenty of questions, noting down the recommended plant varieties as we walked round.

Another inspiring day for the group!

Did you know you can find the nearest flower farm anywhere in Britain by searching the Flowers from the Farm Directory?