2021
January & February
January & February
In January 2021, we are 9 months into our volunteer programme.
Besides being outdoors, meeting interesting folk and keeping fairly sane (ha ha!),
we have many big and mini projects happening...
Besides being outdoors, meeting interesting folk and keeping fairly sane (ha ha!),
we have many big and mini projects happening...
THE BACK WOODS
We spent many hours removing tree suckers, brambles, clearing and mulching the paths
so the snowdrop display would be more spectacular this year.... which it was!
so the snowdrop display would be more spectacular this year.... which it was!
UNDERNEATH THE ARCHES
This year we are adding more arches to grow beans, tomatoes, cucumbers and squash ...
Here be the progress - from sourcing and preparing uprights, collecting willow and hazel,
planting the poles and making the arches....
Here be the progress - from sourcing and preparing uprights, collecting willow and hazel,
planting the poles and making the arches....
MOSS MOSS MOSS
Hoeing took on a whole new meaning scraping moss from the courtyard, edging pathways and clearing steps...
but the results are great - there's still a rustic look, but the Elf TLC stands out.
Here are some 'before, during and after' pics.
but the results are great - there's still a rustic look, but the Elf TLC stands out.
Here are some 'before, during and after' pics.
THE UN-SUNKEN GARDEN
The Sunken Ladies were itching to get back to their project, but in winter it was too wet,
so things had to be put on hold.
However they did a superb job of collecting willow for the potager, hooping the paths for the spring bulbs,
weeding and mulching the soft fruit area, being generally happy and helpful... and often found having their brew!
so things had to be put on hold.
However they did a superb job of collecting willow for the potager, hooping the paths for the spring bulbs,
weeding and mulching the soft fruit area, being generally happy and helpful... and often found having their brew!
THE APPLE TREES
Anna Lehmann came up to take some scions of our lovely old apple trees and gave us a chat about apples in general.
She will be back in the summer for grafts, but in the meantime we are taking some moss off the trees,
added potash, sorted labels....
She will be back in the summer for grafts, but in the meantime we are taking some moss off the trees,
added potash, sorted labels....
GRAPES?
Our 100 + year old grapevine needed some serious TLC - so Chris to the rescue, who, along with Maddie,
gave the vine a serious prune and gave us brilliant info on tending vines.
gave the vine a serious prune and gave us brilliant info on tending vines.
SOFT FRUIT AREA
The gooseberry and currant beds needed some good old weeding and pruning -
so while the Sunken Ladies couldn't get to the Sunken Garden, they weeded, laid cardboard and mulch -
here's to less weeding in the future!
so while the Sunken Ladies couldn't get to the Sunken Garden, they weeded, laid cardboard and mulch -
here's to less weeding in the future!
JAN'S SLATE SIGNS
Jan has taken the slate signs and given them a new lease of life!
BUT WAIT.... THERE'S MORE!
While all the above was going on, come rain, snow, frost and shine, the Elves cast more of their magic pruning and mulching roses, cutting back on the moat bank, laughed, cleaned and sharpened tools, time for tea, weeding,
enjoyed the lambs and piglets, sowed seeds, sifted compost, stomped on mud in the paddock,
pruned the Rhus on the moat bank, had a mega bonfire....
enjoyed the lambs and piglets, sowed seeds, sifted compost, stomped on mud in the paddock,
pruned the Rhus on the moat bank, had a mega bonfire....
