July Newsletter

The heatwaves are taking their toll on the UK’s parks and gardens and Nature’s Haven healing garden is no exception.  With the hosepipe ban inevitably in place now and temperatures set to rise year on year, we are focusing our planting plans on using more and more drought tolerant plants.

Creating a drought-tolerant garden shouldn’t be too daunting.  It involves switching to drought-resistant plants and swapping nutrient-rich topsoil for free-draining sand or gravel.   In Beth Chatto's classic book, The Dry Garden, she showcases plants that need very little attention and are naturally adapted to flourish in dry conditions to provide a year-round display of beautiful foliage and flowers. She provides valuable guidance on types of soil and on basic principles of design. She discusses the plants and plantings suited to dry conditions and includes a detailed list of plants, with notes and advice on their characteristics.

Below is a quick overview of the types of action you can take to adapt your garden:

• Rethink Your Soil: Many drought-loving plants originate from arid, Mediterranean climates and will rot in heavy, water-logged UK clay. Improve drainage by mixing in grit or coarse sand. Alternatively, build a raised rock garden using rubble and upturned turf, topped with topsoil and a thick gravel mulch.

• Select the Right Plants: Look for plants with silvery, hairy, or needle-like leaves (such as Lavandula, Salvia, Perovskia, and Rosemary), as these features help reflect sunlight and reduce water loss. For ground cover, try Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican fleabane) or drought-tolerant sedums.

• Switch to Gravel Mulches: Cover exposed soil with a thick (around 5 cm) layer of decorative shingle, pebbles, or chipped bark. This suppresses weeds and significantly slows down evaporation.

• Plant at the Right Time: Aim to establish your drought-tolerant beds in autumn. This allows the plants to develop deep root systems during the wetter UK winter before facing the harsh summer heat.

• Use Water Butts: Reduce reliance on tap water and hosepipe bans by installing water butts on your greenhouse, shed, or house downpipes.

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Best Drought-Tolerant Plants for the UK

• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): A classic; thrives in well-draining, sunny soil and needs almost no water once established.

• Salvia: Vibrant, drought-resistant perennials that flower all summer and draw in pollinators.

• Russian Sage (Perovskia): Has striking silver leaves and purple flowers that handle dry periods incredibly well.

• Sedum / Hylotelephium: Succulent-like fleshy leaves allow these plants to store water, making them highly resistant to heat.

• Ornamental Grasses (e.g., Stipa tenuissima): Adds beautiful movement and requires very little water.

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Nature's Haven Composting Workshop

Saturday 22nd August

In collaboration with Gather & Grow, we are hosting a free workshop

All Things Compost!

A talk about the importance of composting by Angela Alexander.

This will be held during our regular Volunteer session 10 am - Midday

All Welcome!

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It's Peach Season!

Summer is often considered the happiest season because sunshine helps boost serotonin.  People are more relaxed, schedules tend to be a bit more flexible and communities come alive with festivals and events.  This British summer season captures a uniquely celebratory atmosphere especially with the World Cup, Wimbledon tennis and rowing regattas to keep us entertained.  

Not only the quintessential ritual of strawberries and cream but Summer serves up the best of fruits and we get to enjoy a sweet and vibrant selection including apricots, berries, melons, peaches and fresh, zesty beverages.

Our favourite fuzzy fruit has to be the peach, highly prized for its juicy fresh flavour, rich antioxidant properties and versatility in both sweet and savoury dishes .

Here are a couple of delicious recipes to try out . . .

Honey Peaches with Yoghurt Cream

Ingredients

• 4 peaches halved

• 1 tsp butter on each half

• 1 tsp honey on each

• A pinch of cinnamon on each

• 200 ml double cream 

• 400 g Greek yoghurt 

• 30 g  icing sugar

• 1/2 tsp vanilla essence

  
  

Method

• Wash the the peaches, cut them in the middle and remove the stone.

• Put the peaches in a dish with the hollow part facing up. Add a knob of butter, drizzle some honey on top and sprinkle some cinnamon.

• Bake in a preheated oven to 180o C / 350o F, for ten minutes. Turn them over once and cook for another five minutes.

• Set aside to cool.

• Whip the cream with vanilla essence, until peaks form, add yoghurt & honey and combine well.

Enjoy!

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Peach & Halloumi Salad 

Ingredients

• 150g rocket leaves

• 50g lettuce

• 2 sprigs fresh mint

• 2 ripe peaches, pitted, roasted and chopped

• A knob of butter

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 5 slices fried halloumi

• 10 lightly toasted walnuts

• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Peach Vinaigrette

• 4 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 small garlic clove

• 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

• 2 slices roasted peaches (or peach compote or ripe peach and ½ tsp honey - a tbsp water may be necessary)

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

  
  

Method

• Brush the peaches with a little butter and roast them for about half an hour in a preheated oven to 170C.

• Toast the walnuts for 10 - 15 minutes. Remove to a plate.

• Heat the olive oil and fry halloumi on both sides.

• On a platter, arrange rocket, lettuce, mint and season with salt and pepper.

• Scatter the peaches, halloumi & toasted walnuts on top.

• In a food processor add all the vinaigrette ingredients and mix.

• Just before serving drizzle the vinaigrette on top of the salad and mix.

Enjoy! 

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