The Nuttery ORGD03 Original Seed Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder, Ocean Green

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Domestic nutteries were a regular feature from at least the sixteenth century, with cultivated varieties of hazel as well as the native species. Although they were a means of adding extra food to the table at a time when many households were largely self-sufficient, they could also be decorative. Hazel was the most commonly grown nut tree, but Sweet Chestnut and Walnut were also grown. Almonds were only grown in sheltered and more southerly gardens.They’d been brought in by the Romans but their cultivation has been a bit hit and miss in Britain. Beatrix was also a sheep breeder and conservationist, buying up large swathes of countryside on the proviso that the National Trust would buy half of it from her when the funds became available. Here was someone using their earned wealth for the greater good. She was into conservation long before the cause became trendy. Talking of the National Trust, it’s portfolio includes at least a dozen properties connected with writers, a bit of a who’s who of English Lit; one of them, of course, is Beatrix. The last of Beatrix’s little books, designed so that even the smallest of children could hold them, ‘The Tale of Little Pig Robinson’, was published in 1930. When Beatrix died three days before Christmas in 1943 aged 77 she left 4,000 acres of land and 14 farms to the National Trust. At nearly 800ft, Stow-on-the-Wold is the highest of the Cotswold towns and is famous as a centre for antiques. The Roman Fosse Way from Cirencester to Leicester passes through it and it probably dates from a prehistoric fortified settlement on top of the hill.

Located in the centre of the beautiful Cotswold village of Notgrove is a popular cafe for cycling groups of all sizes, serving up delicious home cooked breakfasts, lunches, daily specials, cakes and coffee. Although the most tender of these four nut trees, Almond, Prunus dulcis, should still provide you with a crop even in an ‘average’ summer. Give them a sunny sheltered spot and frost protection. Their pretty pale pink blossom flowers on bare stems, and a late frost can be highly detrimental! Encourage insect pollinators with plenty of winter and early spring flowering shrubs.

It can be difficult to stop squirrels from getting into your bird feeding station or feeder. They are very agile creatures and can easily climb feeder poles . College Court, right next to ancient St Michael’s Gatewas adopted by Beatrix Potter for her story The Tailor of Gloucester and is now a small shop and museum. Photo: Colin Smith/geograph.org.uk Here in an area bounded by Bath, Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon you’ll find some of the finest landscapes in England. Cotswold towns and villages such as Burford, Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water are world famous and remain largely unchanged since their creation in medieval England centuries ago. This was when the wealth of the wool trade left its mark in the high quality stone buildings for which the area is renowned. Hazels are not self-pollinating, so you’ll need a compatible pollination partner for a nut harvest.

Many excellent choices within hazels, filberts, cobnuts, including white filbert and ‘Webb’s Prize Cob’ You will generally need more than one walnut tree to ensure pollination, although some grafted trees should produce within 3 – 4 years. Also known as white walnut. Hardiest of the walnut family. Partially self-fertile and can be pollinated by walnuts and especially heartnuts

Historic examples show that there were a selection of ways to include nut trees within a garden or walled garden. The nuttery could be a part of the orchard, often with the nut trees grown to one side rather than scattered throughout. Or there might be an avenue of nut trees, possibly sweet chestnut or walnut, leading to the orchard. Hazel was also grown as a tunnel, keeping the nuts within easy reach for harvesting, and hopefully with less depravation by squirrels. Some examples of nutteries and mini orchards including nut trees that I’ve created over the years for clients and myself include the following tree types and numbers – They make an even bigger tree than the walnut and are not reliably self-fertile so a pollinating partner is generally needed. However, if you only have room for one tree, Marigoule is the most reliable partially self-fertile variety. Most sweet chestnut trees sold are the species or an ornamental cultivar, the latter being no good for nut production. If close to water, try varieties such as ‘Broadview’ that are resistant to leaf blotch and walnut blight If you envisage grazing or mowing between trees, nitrogen-fixing clovers — notably the long-lasting red and white clover — are excellent; they enrich the soil and attract beneficial insects. In a forest-garden approach, the planting is based on a natural woodland and tiered from trees through shrubs and herbaceous layers to ground cover; in an ornamental garden situation, the opportunity for planting species that thrive in semi-shade is considerable.

Most walnuts can take up to 10 years to produce, but try these cultivars for a crop at a younger age – Walnut, Juglans regia, probably introduced into Britain in the sixteenth century. The taste difference between a fresh or green walnut and the dried ones most of us are familiar with, is vast. But you will need a large garden – some get up to 150 foot tall, although this will take a good few years. Or find the variety ‘Rita’ which makes about 30 foot tall. Remember that Walnut trees are wide so allow room for spread. Secondly, it can cause damage to the feeder itself; squirrels often break feeders, including hanging bird feeders, when trying to access the food. Belle Epine’, ‘Bouche de Bétizac’, ‘Marigoule’, ‘Marlhac’. ‘Marigoule’ is the most reliable partially self-fertile variety Finally, squirrels can frighten birds -- especially smaller birds . If you are putting out food so that you can spot smaller, rarer UK garden birds , this can cause an issue.However, for humans animals and birds, the real difference is in the eating. With fruit we consume a sweet, juicy treat which is the fleshy outer casing. In terms of energy this is economical for the plant to produce and the likelihood is that the animals and birds will distribute the seeds for the tree. (Generally in a nutritious coating 😉) Be sure to buy Prunus dulcis dulcis, the sweet almond, and not Prunus dulcis amara, the bitter almond. This latter is the one used for flavourings and is not one you’d want to eat from the tree! Another tree that likes warm climates, sweet chestnuts were possibly introduced to Britain by the Romans. Meet the friendly farm animals, donkeys, goats, alpaca and our two high land cows. Enjoy stunning walks around the estate, hire bikes, the tennis court or treat yourself to a spoiling massage. With dedicated games rooms for all to enjoy, children’s play area’s and a host of extra activities to choose from, Notgrove Holidays is ideal for those who love the countryside and want to enjoy the great outdoors. Beatrix bought Hill Top with the proceeds of her first book (Picture: National Trust) (Image: National Trust)

Almonds are pollinated by insects; hazel, walnut and sweet chestnut are wind pollinated. If you have a windy garden, and are growing the nuts together in a nuttery setting, then providing shelter such as a windbreak is important to ensure a good harvest. However, there is often confusion between different species and cultivars, not least due to the cross fertilization between them. The length of the involucre, which is the husk or bract surrounding the nut is one way for the layperson to tell the difference. Corylus avellana has a short involucre, whereas Corylus maxima has an involucre that extends well beyond the nut. This long involucre is also called a beard, hence the name “full beard” or filbert. Strictly speaking, the nut trees need to form a cohesive group to be classed as nuttery. As we’ve seen in examples above, this still gives scope. But, as we are discussing a garden situation, there’s no reason why we can’t be even more flexible. For example, you may not have space to plant three walnut trees together but you do have room by spreading them out. Add in a sweet chestnut to give you a shady seating area, a couple of almond trees near your olive and a row of hazel as boundary for the kitchen garden and I think we could safely say you have a decent sized nuttery in your garden. Also one short nuttery tunnel, with 3 hazel on each side, although this wasn’t installed specifically for nuts for human consumption as it was part of a wildlife orientated design.

The best solution in this case is to use a caged bird feeder. These stop squirrels from being able to access your bird food , while still allowing small birds -- like tits and Robins --to access it. There are many different nuts, some easier to grow in the UK than others. Here, we’ll have a little look at the four which are going to be the easiest to grow outside in your garden. Although which ones you choose will depend upon where you live, the size of your garden and whether you have , for example, a heated greenhouse.