National Trust impressed at Holme For Gardens.

In November a group of National Trust Property managers from North Devon visited Wareham based garden Centre, Holme for Gardens. The group were on a fact-finding trip, to view the rainwater harvesting system at Holme.

Delegates were shown how water is collected from the rooves of the garden centre and piped to a catchment pond which has been given over to nature. When this pond is full the surplus water is lifted to the 4000 cubic meter reservoir where it is stored until it is required in the summer months. Holme is now self-sufficient in irrigation water to supply the 15 acre pleasure garden and garden centre plant area.

The system is just one of Holme’s achievements in an effort to put the business on a sustainable footing along with 68 kW solar energy, the planting of 4000 trees, shrubs and native hedging and 5 acres of species rich meadows.

The National Trust group representative said “It was great to see the passion and how joined up the thinking was – it was so much more than just rainwater harvesting which was amazing and inspiring to see.”

The gardens at Holme are open every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day.