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TOP TIER AWARD
FOR GARSTON VETS
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The partners and staff at the Frome surgery of Garston Veterinary Group are celebrating after receiving a prestigious Veterinary
Hospital accreditation from the Royal College of
Veterinary Surgeons (RCVP).
John Gould, partner and vet at Garston, paid tribute to the efforts of the whole team. “This is important to us, as it recognises the level of investment, training and - importantly - the clinical care our team delivers 24/7. Ultimately our clients and their pets will be the beneficiaries”. John continues: “Each of our surgeries is vital in our approach to care throughout East Somerset and Wiltshire. Having the Frome site as a fully accredited veterinary hospital recognises the standards we have worked hard to build over many years.” Established in 1911, and with surgeries at Melksham, Trowbridge, Warminster and Westbury, as well as thriving large animal and equine departments, Garston Veterinary Group is proudly independent. This allows it to be responsive to the needs of all clients, their pets and animals. Cat friendly clinics and the popular Wellness Plan are examples of their approach to care. 2021 has also seen the launch of a new website www.garstonvets. co.uk as well as a new logo and branding which underlines both its proud heritage and modern outlook.
Sarah Church, Nurse Manager at Frome explains, “It’s a privilege to work with such a dedicated team of people. Each day is different and, whilst some are challenging, the team’s commitment to working with owners and the care of their pets is incredibly rewarding.” Sarah continues: “Garston House Veterinary Hospital is open for emergencies round the clock for clients of all of our surgeries, and we always ensure that no pet is left alone, whatever time of the day.”
With the slow relaxation of social distancing measures over the coming months, the teams at Garston are looking forward to seeing owners and their pets in more usual surroundings.
Not all veterinary practices are the same We are available to care for your pets, horses and animals 24/7 If your pet is overnight with us, they are never left alone Garston vets - a truly independent approach to animal care for over 100 years.
Frome 01373 452225
Melksham 01225 617779
Trowbridge 01225 754021
Warminster 01985 213350
Westbury 01373 301448
www.garstonvets.co.uk
TRUG & LETTUCE
SOIL
We probably all know that here in Frome the type Soapy and slippery and of soil most of us have is likely to be clay based. doesn’t hold together that This is important, as it can determine which well – it’s silt. plants will do well, and which plants might not. Silt soil is made up of fine particles that can be And it has its own advantages: clay helps the easily compacted by walking on it. It is prone soil to hold water and nutrients. In fact most soil to wind erosion or being washed away if left types have their own advantages. If it is sandy, it’s unplanted. It tends to contain more nutrients good for growing plants which need dry and arid than sandy soils and hold more water. As such it conditions. And yes, there’s also something to be can be quite fertile. said for stony and poor quality soil – if you want “While referred Gritty and you to grow Mediterranean plants, for example. to as a heavy soil, clay is often can feel sand then - it’s sandy soil. Sandy soil has more sand But what is fertile as it holds than clay and is known soil? nutrients that are as a light soil. It is usually Well, everyone knows what soil is. It’s the stuff that’s beneath us. It’s what we dig over before we slide into a bound to the clay minerals in the soil.” low in nutrients, and due to the size of the individual particles, tends to be freedraining and loses water nice warm bath at the end very quickly. However, the of a back-breaking day. It’s where the worms live. soil can be improved to help boost its water and It’s what we grow our plants in. While it’s all to nutrient-holding capacity. It warms up quickly do with the size of the particles that make up the in the spring and is easy to cultivate. It is often soil, there’s an easy way to tell what you have and acidic. that’s to get your hands dirty. If it feels: Sticky (Particularly when it’s wet) and if it can be rolled into a long thin sausage – it’s clay. While referred to as a heavy soil, clay is often fertile as it holds nutrients that are bound to the clay minerals in the soil. It has a high proportion of water, due to there being tiny spaces between the particles. And can be improved if the soil can be broken up. Doing so makes the water and nutrients held within the soil more easily available to plant roots. Breaking it up also makes the soil more workable and less prone to compaction.
What’s the pH? The final thing we need to consider is the pH value of our soil – its acidity or alkalinity. That’s important as it influences how the soil “behaves” and in turn influences what sort of plants will thrive. You don’t really want to go and spend a small fortune on heathers and azaleas if your soil is mainly clay as they won’t thrive in a typically alkaline clay soil. But it’s horses for courses – if your soil is sandy, that’s perfect for plants that need dry and arid conditions.
Soil improvers Some gardeners advocate digging your soil is a good way to improve its structure. Others believe they can simply layer on organic matter and let nature – and the worms – do the work. That’s called the no-dig approach. Keeping it natural, you can add in wellrotted, locally sourced horse or poultry manure.
When you get your manure, have a good look. If you can’t see lots of worms then leave it to rot for at least six months, and when they start wiggling you can use it. Using it too early and before it’s well-rotted can do your plants do more harm than good. Next time we’ll talk about all things fertiliser. How you can feed your plants and get the best from them? Until then, enjoy your time in the garden.
Manure
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