We are passionate about our beautiful immediate environment and try to improve the biodiversity and soil health of this little patch of the Cotswolds.
When you buy flowers grown at Starlight Cottage it means you are not reliant on those flown in from afar. Their vase life is much better as they will be much fresher, and airmiles are zero. We believe in #GrownNotFlown
Projects so far have included:
Picking flower types to grow which are particularly attractive to bees and butterflies
Growing our blooms without the use of chemicals, using organic peat-free compost
Planting 100+ meters of native hedgerow for shelter and food for wildlife
Clearing and maintaining ditches
Planting 220 native trees (it is so satisfying when what looks like a dead twig is put in the soil in the winter and becomes a vibrant baby tree the following spring!)
Cutting back any diseased wood and doing a survey of established trees
Creating areas of wilderness
Planting wildflower seeds
Maintaining the grazing land using organic methods and cutting hay late so wildflowers can seed first
Introducing bird feeders, a hedgehog house and leaving out low level water in times of drought
We have several conservation days every year and volunteers are very welcome to join our group of merry nature lovers. Waterproofs and multiple cups of tea often needed!
