Our first volunteer session in Spring was a wonderful day. Blue skies, warm temperatures and no wind made the outside conditions seem almost balmy for this time of year. This meant we could really get stuck in to the tasks of planting and weeding. Using funds from previous open days, we purchased more native plants to further enhance the existing woodland flora.

With the warmer temperatures, now is the ideal moment to new plants in before the soil starts to dry out, making it less likely plants will survive. Having purchased new plants, we also took existing plants such as established clumps of primroses and red campions and divided these in to smaller plants. An economical way to increase the woodland flora. However, there’s always a requirement to keep on weeding. The Glade area has a lot of bindweed, and this plant needs to be kept under control.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although planting was a good activity, it’s also nice to look at the existing plants that are only just starting to grow. The mature pear tree in The Glade area was in full bloom with white petals covering the immediate area. The other photo shows apple blossom also in full flower in the orchard area of fruit trees.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In The Glade area, we bought some more native hedge saplings and it was now the time to get these in to the ground so that they can take full advantage of the extra light and warmth. The hedge in the area around the newly created pond will be a valuable wildlife habitat in the future. The photos below show volunteers working away to create the holes in the soil for the new hedge saplings to be put in to place.