Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th March

Wendy and Colin BThe first major work party of 2012 and we have planted over 500 plants in the hedge around the site.

The hedges around the land at Colt Hill have not received much love and attention over the past decade with the exception of the hedge adjacent to the car park which has been laid.  Part of the plan to develop the site is to rejuvenate these hedges by augmentation planting with native species.

Two batches of saplings have been planted this weekend:Jon & Siobhan

Scott and TaraThe Hopes Grove Special Native mix comprises  The mixture comprises 70% Quickthorn and Blackthorn to knit the hedge together, the balance is drawn from Common Alder, Green Beech, Common Dogwood, English Oak, Field Maple, Guelder Rose, Hazel, Hornbeam, Wild Privet, Dog Rose, Scotch Rose, Sweet Briar, Common Buckthorn, Spindle, Wayfaring Tree and Wild Crabapple.  This should greatly add to the species diversity of this hedge and provide year round interest.  One hundred saplings have been planted.
 
The Wild Harvest mix comprises hazel, blackthorn, crab apple, elder, dog rose and has been augmented with a few beech and other saplings.  This mix will provide a harvest of hedgerow fruit and nuts for humans and wildlife alike.  We are grateful to the Woodland Trust for supporting our project by proving a 420 sapling pack.Colin K
 
All the hedge saplings have been watered in after being planted.  They will need more water over the coming weeks if the current dry spell continues. 
 
There is still more landscape work to be undertaken this spring:
  • The osier willow still need to be planted out.
  • We still have a Jubilee Oak to plant.
  • When the current dry spell ends we need to finish sowing meadow grass in the "conservation area" at the east end of the site

 Hilary