A HORTICULTURAL site in Howey, near Llandrindod Wells, has launched a new project to develop a forest garden near its allotments.

Ashfield Community Enterprise, which is funded by the EU through Arwain, which is Powys based, spoke to Horticulture Wales about its plans.

Ashfield Community Enterprise is a 7.5 acre horticultural site where volunteers go to help grow fruit, vegetables and pollinator plants for the local market using natural methods. It is a not-for-profit organisation and all money from sales helps with running costs.

Horticulturalist Rhian Hill told Horticulture Wales what the aim is with the forest garden project.

She said: “One of the things I am particularly interested in developing, as well as all the lovely vegetables and salads we are growing, is an edible perennial section.

“We are hoping to develop a forest garden up near our allotments and there we are hoping to demonstrate to people just how beautiful and productive plants can be - not just for ornamental sake.”

Ashfield also runs a project called Seed to Saucepan. The project offers training, workshops, and courses on how to grow from seeds. The idea behind the project is to take produce out of the garden and put it straight into the pan. It aims to use surplus foods grown locally and in the allotments.