Shipton Mill Garden in Tetbury is part of the Flowers from the Farm network a UK trade association promoting a financially and environmentally sustainable local cut flower industry.

On a glorious but chilly morning, the Sustainably Floristry group visited the garden. After we were greeted with tea and cake, Ruth Quinlan, head gardener showed us around.

The garden plants are grown bio-dynamically. Ruth explained that biodynamic gardening goes beyond organic farming. Although it doesn't use chemicals, organic inputs from outside might be brought in such as manures, and nutrients to manage poor soil. Biodynamics focuses the importance of compost for creating vitality, and health in the soil, so farms can grow healthy vegetables without any external inputs.

We discovered well tended vegetable gardens featuring plenty of different varieties; a large herb garden and cutting patches. The flowers are often used by local florists for weddings. Members of the public can come to the mill to purchase bunches too.

The herb patch featured a wide variety of herbs many of which they turn into herbal teas. We popped into the greenhouse where hundreds of seedling were being raised.

The compost heaps were at varying stages, some topped with wool fleece. All were labelled as to when they had been dosed with biodynamic mixtures and turned.

There are gardens round two cottages where staff live - quintessential cottage gardens!

And plenty of little nooks were you could hide with a good book.

We all fell in love with the garden. It is such a beautiful tranquil place tended with a lot of passion and care by the team.

If you'd like to join the Sustainable Floristry group, head to our Group page.