Not sure how I missed this during research regarding meadows and field systems:
The Grasslands Trust
An organisation dedicated to the preservation of this disappearing landscape type...
Sunday 28 November 2010
Wednesday 24 November 2010
yellow rattle and seeds
I've just ordered some yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor) from MAS Seeds and also from Emorsgate Seeds - together with a few other species and a hedgerow flower and grass mix to go along the ground slightly disturbed by the recent hedge-layering.
I hope to get the yellow rattle sown handy when back home and over-wintering for germination in spring.
With about 1 acre (0.4ha) to be left as grassland / conservation meadow - I've chosen this because it has a parasitic action on grass that will hopefully reduce some of the grass vigour and assist in establishing more traditional meadow-flower plants amongst the grass over a few seasons.
(The soil is reasonably good and not particularly the poor fertility type that is suggested as best for wildflower meadow establishment).
I'm still deliberating with respect to overall grassland species selection - I have a trial pack of a general northern meadow mix seeds, but the aim is to proliferate species favoured by the conditions and also locally prevalent.
The meadowsweet that already exists is something I wish to keep and encourage for brewing drinks from the flowers and leaves.
I need to come up with a scheme to reduce buttercups and docks (and dandelion) - preferably without chemicals (this year's mid-summer mow probably helped reduce the amount of seeds for next year)...
I hope to get the yellow rattle sown handy when back home and over-wintering for germination in spring.
With about 1 acre (0.4ha) to be left as grassland / conservation meadow - I've chosen this because it has a parasitic action on grass that will hopefully reduce some of the grass vigour and assist in establishing more traditional meadow-flower plants amongst the grass over a few seasons.
(The soil is reasonably good and not particularly the poor fertility type that is suggested as best for wildflower meadow establishment).
I'm still deliberating with respect to overall grassland species selection - I have a trial pack of a general northern meadow mix seeds, but the aim is to proliferate species favoured by the conditions and also locally prevalent.
The meadowsweet that already exists is something I wish to keep and encourage for brewing drinks from the flowers and leaves.
I need to come up with a scheme to reduce buttercups and docks (and dandelion) - preferably without chemicals (this year's mid-summer mow probably helped reduce the amount of seeds for next year)...
Tuesday 23 November 2010
The Great British Elm Experiment
Now signed up to The Great British Elm Experiment with:
Ulmus procera (origin: Upper Swell, Glos)
Ulmus glabra (origin: East Meon, Hants)
Ulmus x vegata (origin: Castle Acre, Norfolk)
Ulmus minor (origin: Colesdon, Beds)
Ulmus minor (origin: Boxworth, Cambs)
The 5 trees arrived promptly and sensibly packaged (pot grown) from Trees Direct. a couple of weeks ago. I intend to plant them inboard of the west hedgerow.
The Great British Elm Experiment is organised by The Conservation Foundation.
The origins of the young trees are from cuttings taken from mature parent trees found growing in the British countryside – which appear to have resisted Dutch elm disease for over 60 years and have been micro-propagated.
There is an expectation to report on progress for upwards of 15 years, with a community webpage via The Conservation Foundation...
Ulmus procera (origin: Upper Swell, Glos)
Ulmus glabra (origin: East Meon, Hants)
Ulmus x vegata (origin: Castle Acre, Norfolk)
Ulmus minor (origin: Colesdon, Beds)
Ulmus minor (origin: Boxworth, Cambs)
The 5 trees arrived promptly and sensibly packaged (pot grown) from Trees Direct. a couple of weeks ago. I intend to plant them inboard of the west hedgerow.
The Great British Elm Experiment is organised by The Conservation Foundation.
The origins of the young trees are from cuttings taken from mature parent trees found growing in the British countryside – which appear to have resisted Dutch elm disease for over 60 years and have been micro-propagated.
There is an expectation to report on progress for upwards of 15 years, with a community webpage via The Conservation Foundation...
Friday 12 November 2010
water & wildlife
The river water had drained away after a few days and the ground isn't too saturated underfoot.
A bit more post & rail fencing put in, but still quite a bit to do to get the boundary live-stock proof.
The over-grown willows in the culvert at the side of the main road could definitely do with some thinning to avoid an accumulation of debris and to help drainage, but the Local Authority were 'vague' about responsibility...
With the brief spell of water, a noticeable quantity of lady-birds along the tops of the fence-posts, the odd call of waterfowl from across the fields near-by that still have water on them. There was a heron this afternoon in the middle of the field to the south and the odd owl-hoot now and then as it became dark.
To the north west corner, a squirrel was ambling along the fence-line.
A few other small birds along the hedges, but difficult to tell what they were.
A bit more post & rail fencing put in, but still quite a bit to do to get the boundary live-stock proof.
The over-grown willows in the culvert at the side of the main road could definitely do with some thinning to avoid an accumulation of debris and to help drainage, but the Local Authority were 'vague' about responsibility...
With the brief spell of water, a noticeable quantity of lady-birds along the tops of the fence-posts, the odd call of waterfowl from across the fields near-by that still have water on them. There was a heron this afternoon in the middle of the field to the south and the odd owl-hoot now and then as it became dark.
To the north west corner, a squirrel was ambling along the fence-line.
A few other small birds along the hedges, but difficult to tell what they were.
Wednesday 10 November 2010
inundation
Another automated call from The Environment Agency and the flood warning for the lower Dee valley has been stood down.
Still some water on the field though:
The west side is higher and drier, but I wont be doing any planting this week or finishing the fence line.
I'm not too bothered by the flood risks, it was why the land was cheap and the established hedgerows with their variety of trees and hedgerow plants would suggest oxygen suppression in the soil isn't a problem (it only seems to happen during the dormant winter months).
In the post today, 5x various Elm tree clones as part of The Great British Elm Experiment and quickly and reliably despatched as cell grown young trees from Trees Direct in Shropshire (worth contacting to discuss order details).
Back at home I need to sort through both young woodland trees for my planting scheme and also the mixed orchard trees to finalise a layout plan.
At least I can quickly visualise the higher ground after the River Dee coming over at the weekend. It seems to be running off quite steadily now too.
Still some water on the field though:
 |
| From Blogger Pictures |
I'm not too bothered by the flood risks, it was why the land was cheap and the established hedgerows with their variety of trees and hedgerow plants would suggest oxygen suppression in the soil isn't a problem (it only seems to happen during the dormant winter months).
In the post today, 5x various Elm tree clones as part of The Great British Elm Experiment and quickly and reliably despatched as cell grown young trees from Trees Direct in Shropshire (worth contacting to discuss order details).
Back at home I need to sort through both young woodland trees for my planting scheme and also the mixed orchard trees to finalise a layout plan.
At least I can quickly visualise the higher ground after the River Dee coming over at the weekend. It seems to be running off quite steadily now too.
Saturday 6 November 2010
fencing and seasonal river height...
Tuesday I tried to sort some field stuff, and then it rained :(
Consequently i still have a large amount of young trees at home rather than planted up - especially holding back on the orchard trees until the fencing is sorted to keep any straying sheep out.
Wednesday I put a new field gate in and discovered that I had to break through 2 feet of compacted limestone sub-base from when the track-way was reinstated during the by-pass construction. With over 3 feet of the 8" square gateposts in the ground, I hope I don't have to replace them any time soon.
I ended up down at the field until after 9pm, just the odd hoot of an owl now and then - until a couple of monster tractors and trailers tried to squeeze down the track and do a sharp turn.
They were getting round-bales out from the next field and suspected the river might be coming up after the rain. The Environment Agency's monitoring page showed a rise and a plateau of the River Dee.
No cause for concern just yet though...
Thursday and Uncle gave me a lift with some fencing and a willow tree over-hang tidied up with the chainsaw.
About, 1am on Friday I got a recorded phone message saying flooding was possible in the lower Dee valley between Llangollen and Chester - an issue I was aware of prior to purchase (hence a cheap price). I had spent a bit of time studying the trees and vegetation prior to taking it on, as the land is liable to flood (I was born relatively local a few miles north, so reasonably aware), but it isn't waterlogged or saturated ground and only happens seasonally when the leaves are off the trees.
Friday lunch-time the brook along the track way was about a foot higher than normal, but rising about an inch an hour. The sheep from the surrounding fields had been moved to higher ground.
Below Holt Castle the river was well up in it's channel, but still below the top of the banks.
A couple of hours later the brook had come up onto the trackway and had quite a flow
Still half a meter below the field and there is a fair bit of neighbouring land lying lower to fill first.
By 6pm it was a few inches below the low end of the field and there was some ponding. Time to give up on the fencing for now...
Saturday saw a trip to Carmarthenshire on an informal tour of a woodland, fine hospitality and interesting landscape and tree & undergrowth varieties and decent chat with like minded people.
Cross-country to Bristol and probably a look-in at a walled-garden at Wrington
Consequently i still have a large amount of young trees at home rather than planted up - especially holding back on the orchard trees until the fencing is sorted to keep any straying sheep out.
Wednesday I put a new field gate in and discovered that I had to break through 2 feet of compacted limestone sub-base from when the track-way was reinstated during the by-pass construction. With over 3 feet of the 8" square gateposts in the ground, I hope I don't have to replace them any time soon.
 |
| From Blogger Pictures |
They were getting round-bales out from the next field and suspected the river might be coming up after the rain. The Environment Agency's monitoring page showed a rise and a plateau of the River Dee.
No cause for concern just yet though...
Thursday and Uncle gave me a lift with some fencing and a willow tree over-hang tidied up with the chainsaw.
About, 1am on Friday I got a recorded phone message saying flooding was possible in the lower Dee valley between Llangollen and Chester - an issue I was aware of prior to purchase (hence a cheap price). I had spent a bit of time studying the trees and vegetation prior to taking it on, as the land is liable to flood (I was born relatively local a few miles north, so reasonably aware), but it isn't waterlogged or saturated ground and only happens seasonally when the leaves are off the trees.
Friday lunch-time the brook along the track way was about a foot higher than normal, but rising about an inch an hour. The sheep from the surrounding fields had been moved to higher ground.
Below Holt Castle the river was well up in it's channel, but still below the top of the banks.
 |
| From Blogger Pictures |
 |
| From Blogger Pictures |
 |
| From Blogger Pictures |
 |
| From Blogger Pictures |
 |
| From Blogger Pictures |
Saturday saw a trip to Carmarthenshire on an informal tour of a woodland, fine hospitality and interesting landscape and tree & undergrowth varieties and decent chat with like minded people.
Cross-country to Bristol and probably a look-in at a walled-garden at Wrington
Tuesday 2 November 2010
something for the weekend...
The last two weekends I've been away.
Firstly to Stourhead on the edge of it's fine grounds in Wiltshire - the Farm Shop had an 'Apple Day' in rather uncertain weather.
A slightly understated affair, but an excellent range of local grown historic apple varieties. I can't remember the name, but there was an excellent small apple that was crisp, yellow with some pink striping and tasted of strawberries...
Venison sausage hot-dogs with apple sauce were quite pleasant too and chunk of smoked cheddar cheese and fresh bread rolls picked up for a picnic later.
(Together with a mixed bag of heritage variety apples, from which I'll keep the pips to see what hybrids they give me and if there is any viable fruit in a few years time).
Stopping in Salisbury, I took the opportunity to wander around Harnham Meadows - a deliberate flood-meadow landscape now managed by a conservation trust.
With natural low-lying land and deliberately constructed channels for seasonal flooding, I was particularly interested in tree and hedgerow varieties to compare with the meadow here in Chester which has the risk of natural flooding occasionally.
In Salisbury, I picked up an excellent book: The Tree House Diaries - 6 months sustainable living in the woods and full of useful recipes, tips and practical advice.
On the journey home, I picked up some graft-wood from a roadside apple tree in the hedgerow south of Stonehenge. A particular tree on an exposed elevation that has reasonable fruit still on the tree in late December in all weathers.
Near Boscombe Down there was another graft-wood acquisition opportunity from a deep red apple too.
Taking the Pewsey road to Marlborough, I dropped by a small nursery and picked up an established pear tree (Beurre Hardy) in a large pot.
A week of pottering about down at the field - out with the measuring wheel for more planting scheme ideas, some pot-holes in the access track filled and the leaves on the mature ash trees turning and falling in the first frosts.
Looks like sheep have been through again, so hedges and fences are now stepping ahead of initial planting, especially holding back on the orchard layout until it's stock-proof.
A spot thinning in places of the meadowsweet now that it's come back after the summer grassland mow - a few clumps potted up for division into a nursery bed and then 'champagne' from the flowers and ale from the leaves next year...
Another weekend away, this time to Whitby, North Yorks for a Goth music weekend. With a semi-nocturnal long weekend, opportunity taken during relaxing days in Becketts Cafe on Skinner Street to try to finalise the small woodland and traditional orchard planting layouts, at the same time indulging in relaxed chat with friends and rather fine home-made cakes...
The week ahead includes a quick service of the tractor, hopefully the new gate, posts and east fencing going in and getting the plot ready for planting.
Firstly to Stourhead on the edge of it's fine grounds in Wiltshire - the Farm Shop had an 'Apple Day' in rather uncertain weather.
A slightly understated affair, but an excellent range of local grown historic apple varieties. I can't remember the name, but there was an excellent small apple that was crisp, yellow with some pink striping and tasted of strawberries...
Venison sausage hot-dogs with apple sauce were quite pleasant too and chunk of smoked cheddar cheese and fresh bread rolls picked up for a picnic later.
(Together with a mixed bag of heritage variety apples, from which I'll keep the pips to see what hybrids they give me and if there is any viable fruit in a few years time).
Stopping in Salisbury, I took the opportunity to wander around Harnham Meadows - a deliberate flood-meadow landscape now managed by a conservation trust.
With natural low-lying land and deliberately constructed channels for seasonal flooding, I was particularly interested in tree and hedgerow varieties to compare with the meadow here in Chester which has the risk of natural flooding occasionally.
In Salisbury, I picked up an excellent book: The Tree House Diaries - 6 months sustainable living in the woods and full of useful recipes, tips and practical advice.
On the journey home, I picked up some graft-wood from a roadside apple tree in the hedgerow south of Stonehenge. A particular tree on an exposed elevation that has reasonable fruit still on the tree in late December in all weathers.
Near Boscombe Down there was another graft-wood acquisition opportunity from a deep red apple too.
Taking the Pewsey road to Marlborough, I dropped by a small nursery and picked up an established pear tree (Beurre Hardy) in a large pot.
A week of pottering about down at the field - out with the measuring wheel for more planting scheme ideas, some pot-holes in the access track filled and the leaves on the mature ash trees turning and falling in the first frosts.
Looks like sheep have been through again, so hedges and fences are now stepping ahead of initial planting, especially holding back on the orchard layout until it's stock-proof.
A spot thinning in places of the meadowsweet now that it's come back after the summer grassland mow - a few clumps potted up for division into a nursery bed and then 'champagne' from the flowers and ale from the leaves next year...
Another weekend away, this time to Whitby, North Yorks for a Goth music weekend. With a semi-nocturnal long weekend, opportunity taken during relaxing days in Becketts Cafe on Skinner Street to try to finalise the small woodland and traditional orchard planting layouts, at the same time indulging in relaxed chat with friends and rather fine home-made cakes...
The week ahead includes a quick service of the tractor, hopefully the new gate, posts and east fencing going in and getting the plot ready for planting.
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