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Putting a star on the best of British trees and wreaths

The Country Smallholder

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December 2025

Meet the champion growers adding joy to Christmas

Putting a star on the best of British trees and wreaths

Organised by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA), the annual competition with categories for wreaths and trees has been running since 1999 and is open to its 300 members across the UK. As well as the prestige of winning there is also the pride of seeing your tree and wreath on display at such a famous address as number ten, Downing Street, London, seen by millions in news bulletins. Perhaps Larry, the Downing Street cat will climb the branches!

An average 6ft Christmas tree takes 10 years to grow and attracts a wealth of wildlife during its growing cycle which is reflected in the 'winning photo' category.

The winner was the Cadeby Tree Trust from Leicestershire who now provides the Christmas tree for display outside 10 Downing Street after being crowned Champion Christmas Tree Grower of the Year 2025.

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The Country Smallholder

The Country Smallholder

Making sure you put enough nutrition into your dairy goat to support her milk production

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time to read

6 mins

March 2026

The Country Smallholder

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Henrietta Balcon makes the most of the new crop rhubarb

time to read

2 mins

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The Country Smallholder

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time to read

3 mins

March 2026

The Country Smallholder

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time to read

2 mins

March 2026

The Country Smallholder

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Getting Your Electric Fence Spring-Ready: Expert Q&A

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time to read

2 mins

March 2026

The Country Smallholder

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Check your kit for the busy seasons ahead

Agricultural journalist, and machinery writer Jane Brooks, joins us for her regular look at the world.

time to read

4 mins

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The Country Smallholder

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Flock together: is now the right time to add more hens?

Andy Hill explains how to integrate birds into a flock without feathers flying

time to read

4 mins

March 2026

The Country Smallholder

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The secrets behind maximising incubator hatch rates

Buying quality point of lay hens can be an expensive proposition these days (even if you can find a local source of the breed that you want). Incubating fertilised eggs can save a great deal of money and make many more breeds accessible. If you already keep poultry that includes a cockerel, an incubator means that you can hatch their eggs either to increase your flock or to sell. Hugh & Fiona Osborne have been using incubators for many years and have learned that getting a good hatch means attention to detail.

time to read

7 mins

March 2026

The Country Smallholder

The Country Smallholder

Making choices for your chicks

Victoria Roberts BVSc MRCVS says Natural and Artifical Incubation are not an either/or choice

time to read

5 mins

March 2026

The Country Smallholder

The Country Smallholder

An appetite for asparagus

Our Experts answer your questions

time to read

1 mins

March 2026

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