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AFTER famously creating a showpiece organic garden at Highgrove, Prince Charles has rolled up his sleeves and dug deep to do the same at his Scottish home.

The Prince has applied for full organic certification from the Soil Association for his garden at Birkhall, Balmoral, turning the retreat into his "Highgrove of the north".

The prince has been quietly converting Birkhall's gardens to organic methods - doing some of the work himself - over the past two years to comply with standards set by the Soil Association, of which he is patron.

Now Clarence House has confirmed that the nature-loving heir to the throne has applied for official organic status at Birkhall, the part of the Balmoral estate he inherited from the late Queen Mother.

The work at Birkhall's two-acre flower garden will finish a conversion to organic methods begun by the Queen Mother.
Charles has had to rip out a huge hedge planted by his grandmother that was threatening Birkhall's foundations and has also built a meditative gazebo in the grounds.
"He has introduced more natural methods of weed control and has introduced a whole range of environmentally friendly methods," said an aide.

"The garden is all flowers and shrubs - no vegetables - with species reflecting this exposed area of Deeside.

"Gardening in Scotland is different to gardening in Gloucestershire, and that has been part of the challenge.

"It is only two acres - but very beautiful. In comparison, Highgrove is spread over 20 acres. But the Prince is very proud of his work and hands-on in both."