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Meadow

With the success of the meadow sown in 2011/12 there will need to be more maintenance in 2013.  We are expecting fewer annuals and hoping that we start to see some perennial wild flowers appearing.  If that is the case the mowing of the meadow will be able to start earlier, in June or July.  However the cold spring has delayed growth so a first mowing in late July or early August seems most likely.

The section of meadow sown in September 2012 will have a crop of annuals so will be cut once those have finished flowering.

We plan to prepare for the final section of meadow, at the extreme east end of the site with a view to sowing in March or September 2014 to ensure a third summer of cornfield annuals.

Hedges

The hedges will need to be kept weed free again and replacement planting was completed by the end of March.  Given the rate of growth on 2012 it is unlikely that the hedge will need to be trimmed in 2013, but now that roots have established it may grow more quickly.  

In the autumn all brambles and other competing undergrowth will be removed from the hedge.  A few of this year's replacement saplings have been potted up so they can be used to replace any failed saplings in the autumn.

Fences

The timber and wire fence around the east end of the conservation meadow will need more work this summer to bring it back to a good state of repair.

Logpile

We can continue to add to the logpile at wood becomes available.