These two slightly dreary autumnal shots are all that is new at the back end of this year. They are two new hedges just planted. The thirty metre hedge in the big field is designed to be a mixed hedge with pairs of plants selected so that – in theory – there be something interesting going on somewhere in the hedge at every season: some will be in bloom and others in good leaf colour, so it will be interesting to see if this works out as planned. The little tree in the foreground is a Hawthorn which I have moved from elsewhere in the field. You can never tell how well this will work but with a bit of luck and some additional water this summer it may work out ok.
This small hedge by the ruin is all one species chosen for its toughness and ability to tolerate dry condition (ELEAGNUS x ebbingei). If it works it should grow large enough and dense enough to form a good sheltering windbreak to enjoy the view there. There’s also a transplanted spruce in the foreground and a transplanted chêne vert at this end of the hedge.
October planting was good in that plants have had quite a bit of cool weather and rain to help get them settled in during their dormant time. As you see they have been laid under a porous fabric to allow moisture through, minimise the weed growth and retain moisture in dry weather. But they may well need some additional watering for the next two years so each plant has been given a watering pipe direct to the roots. Any water they get will have to be delivered from a 200 ltr. tank in the back of the JCB Groundhog. This will only happen in very hot weather and not too frequently so these direct pipes make best use of the limited watering they will get.
It wasn’t possible to make a serious start on the field kitchen roof this Autumn so the plan is to begin that in Spring ’13. We will need some manpower next Spring ! No great carpentry skills are needed and it should be a very satisfying project to be involved in. A lot of the other work has been done so the roof will pull it all together and will be very satisfying to see take shape.
Volunteers welcome !