A reasonably busy couple of days at the field.
The rest of a 120m line of young ash trees have gone in along the north boundary parallel to the roadside fence.
A few hazels planted together, some alder and a couple of willows, as well as some willow cuttings.
Part of the south hedge has had a severe cut and pruning - probably for the first time in 15 or 20 years...
The hawthorn had grown into trees with substantial lower trunks, so they have been coppiced.
There are more gaps than hawthorn, so quite a bit of replanting to do.
The bulk of the twiggy cut waste ended up being burned rather than shredded, the wood-ash will still end up going into a compost mix. Quite a few larger lumps for logs.
Quite a lot of stuff is starting to bud and vegetation is starting to green up and become noticeable.
The east hedge that I layered in November has noticeable buds on the hawthorn and dog-rose.
By the time it was dark, an owl could be heard quite close (probably the one in the hollow tree from last month), but a second hoot could be heard further away too.
Monday, 21 February 2011
Thursday, 17 February 2011
private and public woodlands
On a day that the Government U-turned on the inclusion of Forestry Commission land in The Public Bodies Bill, I've got round to the first proper planting on my own plot.
A 1.5m tall female Black Poplar from a small nursery stock of native trees I have at home...
(Probably another 1000 trees to plant yet though).
Also half of a 100m line of young ash trees have gone in along the north boundary (this may be expanded to an avenue, approximately recreating the tree-lined track on the 1800s maps).
Another bundle of 50 hawthorns to pick up tomorrow from Morrey's nursery at Kelsall for filling in hedge gaps.
Down at the field, a lot of willow along the boundary has sprouted into bud, I'm going to try some stem cuttings straight into the ground.
Watching Parliament on TV today, some of the later questions touched on grants and taxation and access regarding private woodlands.
For various reasons, I've not taken advantage of The Woodland Grant Scheme for my own plot, although reading recently - a Welsh version of the scheme (100 metres to the border) is under subscribed and suited for small patches of woodland on farm land.
Something that repeatedly annoyed me from the Conservative side of the house was reference to Forestry Commission sales under Labour (about 25,000ha) - For some years I've belonged to a small trust that bought a patch of Forestry Commission land under John Major's 1990s Conservative administration. A partial breakdown of sales is in Hansard from 1996.
I'm still curious as to what prompted an announcement from 10 Downing Street late at night ahead of the Secretary of State's formal announcement?
I'm hoping the campaigns by 38 Degrees and Save Our Woods had profound effect (together with local focus like Save Delamere Forest).
I hope the Government's change isn't a smoke-screen or a portent to complicated and convoluted changes to UK woodland and forestry policy?
A 1.5m tall female Black Poplar from a small nursery stock of native trees I have at home...
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2011 |
(Probably another 1000 trees to plant yet though).
Also half of a 100m line of young ash trees have gone in along the north boundary (this may be expanded to an avenue, approximately recreating the tree-lined track on the 1800s maps).
Another bundle of 50 hawthorns to pick up tomorrow from Morrey's nursery at Kelsall for filling in hedge gaps.
Down at the field, a lot of willow along the boundary has sprouted into bud, I'm going to try some stem cuttings straight into the ground.
Watching Parliament on TV today, some of the later questions touched on grants and taxation and access regarding private woodlands.
For various reasons, I've not taken advantage of The Woodland Grant Scheme for my own plot, although reading recently - a Welsh version of the scheme (100 metres to the border) is under subscribed and suited for small patches of woodland on farm land.
Something that repeatedly annoyed me from the Conservative side of the house was reference to Forestry Commission sales under Labour (about 25,000ha) - For some years I've belonged to a small trust that bought a patch of Forestry Commission land under John Major's 1990s Conservative administration. A partial breakdown of sales is in Hansard from 1996.
I'm still curious as to what prompted an announcement from 10 Downing Street late at night ahead of the Secretary of State's formal announcement?
I'm hoping the campaigns by 38 Degrees and Save Our Woods had profound effect (together with local focus like Save Delamere Forest).
I hope the Government's change isn't a smoke-screen or a portent to complicated and convoluted changes to UK woodland and forestry policy?
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
tree dislodged
Away at Oxford and alongside the River Thames at the weekend, an automated text / email to say the Lower Dee Valley from Llangollen to Chester was now off flood alert.
Now back at home in Cheshire and had a look down at the meadow today after last weeks inunndation.
There's light vegetation debris up to 2 metres above ground level in the hedges and trees (and still a bit of standing water on near-by low fields).
I've also lost a semi-mature ash tree from the west hedgerow.
One of a pair close together that made a nice silhouette at sunset against the Welsh hills. It's root cluster has completely lifted out of the ditch and bank.
Now back at home in Cheshire and had a look down at the meadow today after last weeks inunndation.
There's light vegetation debris up to 2 metres above ground level in the hedges and trees (and still a bit of standing water on near-by low fields).
I've also lost a semi-mature ash tree from the west hedgerow.
One of a pair close together that made a nice silhouette at sunset against the Welsh hills. It's root cluster has completely lifted out of the ditch and bank.
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2011 |
Sunday, 6 February 2011
a start to February and forests in the National psyche
Away from the land until next week due to work:
I've been following with interest the publicity around the Public Bodies Bill and the proposed sale and changes to the Forestry Commission estate.
Public Bodies Bill - documents
Consultation process - DEFRA details
Forestry Commission - Public consultation
Woodland Trust - response
National Trust - canvassing opinion
Save our woods on Twitter is a good one-stop-shop.
Local to me in Cheshire Delemere Forest - documented from Norman times and on the doorstep to 5 million people in the north-west of England, is unlikely to be classified as heritage forest.
Established environmental campaigner Jonathon Porrit makes some interesting observations in his blog.
I'm struggling to see the benefit that changes will bring and also under threat of sale are National Nature Reserves (and maybe land alongside canals in British Waterways portfolio).
After the outcry and rallying of public opposition to proposed changes - particularly after the defeat of an opposition amendment Early Day Motion in The House of Commons, a concerted effort to oppose the changes is gathering support.
Opposition to the bill requires further support, as it is a piece of pernicious 'enabling legislation' that allows Government to make sweeping changes away from proper scrutiny.
Get emailing and writing to your M.P. and challenge them on their outlook and participation regarding the progress of this Bill.
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01815/010211-MATT-web_1815661a.jpg
Regarding the overall campaign, don't just think it's about a fence and 'private' sign going on parts of the Forestry Commission estate - the balanced structure of how that organisation functions is about to be ripped apart. The Forestry Commission have since inception in 1919, gone from being just commercial forester previously planting tracts of mono-cultured softwood, to arbiter of sustainable woodland management for almost all interested parties, for about 30 pence per tax-payer per year. A coordinated economy of scale enaables research, conservation and shared knowledge for private woodland owners too.
There is a suggestion that suitable charities could run the designated 'heritage forests' with community input. I seriously doubt the gap left by expelling the Forestry Commission can be filled seamlessly by any existing groups without serious regression or even damage.
I have for several years belonged to a small educational charitable trust that initially took on 30 acres of clear-felled Forestry Commission 'surplus' land when the John Major Conservative Government tried to sell off parts of the Forestry Commission.
Trying to manage woodland by committee and consensus is not an easy task - the Forestry Commission's present activities, performance and direction and coordination would be difficult to improve on.
It is somewhat ironic that the United Nations have designated 2011 as International Year of Forests...
Back to my field and home:
An automated flood alert from the Environment Agency for the lower Dee Valley, with the level coming up at Farndon.
Hopefully it'll have settled by the time I'm home for getting ahead with the fencing and hedging.
A large bundle of apple root-stocks ordered for grafting some selected wayside apples I've spotted on my travels.
I suspect they are from discarded apple-cores, but they seem to have adapted and thrived in quite arduous countryside and give viable pleasant fruit...
(I was surprised that fruit tree root-stocks attract full VAT at 20%, even though entire fruit trees are exempt).
A small quantity of plumbing and hose fittings ironically ordered during this weeks rain and high water - ready for summer watering of the nursery stock at home and to mitigate any dry spells for this year's plantings down at the field.
I've been following with interest the publicity around the Public Bodies Bill and the proposed sale and changes to the Forestry Commission estate.
Public Bodies Bill - documents
Consultation process - DEFRA details
Forestry Commission - Public consultation
Woodland Trust - response
National Trust - canvassing opinion
Save our woods on Twitter is a good one-stop-shop.
Local to me in Cheshire Delemere Forest - documented from Norman times and on the doorstep to 5 million people in the north-west of England, is unlikely to be classified as heritage forest.
Established environmental campaigner Jonathon Porrit makes some interesting observations in his blog.
I'm struggling to see the benefit that changes will bring and also under threat of sale are National Nature Reserves (and maybe land alongside canals in British Waterways portfolio).
After the outcry and rallying of public opposition to proposed changes - particularly after the defeat of an opposition amendment Early Day Motion in The House of Commons, a concerted effort to oppose the changes is gathering support.
Opposition to the bill requires further support, as it is a piece of pernicious 'enabling legislation' that allows Government to make sweeping changes away from proper scrutiny.
Get emailing and writing to your M.P. and challenge them on their outlook and participation regarding the progress of this Bill.
Regarding the overall campaign, don't just think it's about a fence and 'private' sign going on parts of the Forestry Commission estate - the balanced structure of how that organisation functions is about to be ripped apart. The Forestry Commission have since inception in 1919, gone from being just commercial forester previously planting tracts of mono-cultured softwood, to arbiter of sustainable woodland management for almost all interested parties, for about 30 pence per tax-payer per year. A coordinated economy of scale enaables research, conservation and shared knowledge for private woodland owners too.
There is a suggestion that suitable charities could run the designated 'heritage forests' with community input. I seriously doubt the gap left by expelling the Forestry Commission can be filled seamlessly by any existing groups without serious regression or even damage.
I have for several years belonged to a small educational charitable trust that initially took on 30 acres of clear-felled Forestry Commission 'surplus' land when the John Major Conservative Government tried to sell off parts of the Forestry Commission.
Trying to manage woodland by committee and consensus is not an easy task - the Forestry Commission's present activities, performance and direction and coordination would be difficult to improve on.
It is somewhat ironic that the United Nations have designated 2011 as International Year of Forests...
Back to my field and home:
An automated flood alert from the Environment Agency for the lower Dee Valley, with the level coming up at Farndon.
Hopefully it'll have settled by the time I'm home for getting ahead with the fencing and hedging.
A large bundle of apple root-stocks ordered for grafting some selected wayside apples I've spotted on my travels.
I suspect they are from discarded apple-cores, but they seem to have adapted and thrived in quite arduous countryside and give viable pleasant fruit...
(I was surprised that fruit tree root-stocks attract full VAT at 20%, even though entire fruit trees are exempt).
A small quantity of plumbing and hose fittings ironically ordered during this weeks rain and high water - ready for summer watering of the nursery stock at home and to mitigate any dry spells for this year's plantings down at the field.
Friday, 28 January 2011
January 2011
Early January's mix of frost, rain and grey skies meant not a lot done down at the field apart from some hedgerow conservation.
A patchy overgrown hawthorn hedge to the south boundary has had some of the height removed and made accessable along it's base-line for partial replanting / gapping up.
I use a Stihl long-arm chainsaw from their KombiSystem range. I've been careful to keep long established large dog-rose clusters for re-weaving back at around chest height and into the hedge structure when layering.
Part of the thinning is to enable stock-proof fencing to go in and for the gaps to be filled with new hawthorn plants and periodic placing of Hazel and a few ash. It's a compromise between existing wildlife cover and the long-term life-cycle of the hedge.
At home I've been going over a few plans and paperwork and a bit of an inventory of the nursery stock of native broadleaf and orchard trees I have at home. (Really looking forward to a pleasant few days to get on with a planting scheme, once the perimeter is secure against straying livestock).
Looking further ahead to sunny summer days, I've taken the pre-emptive step of purchasing a second-hand water-bowser for maintaining the orchard trees for the first couple of summers. Collection was via Oxfordshire last weekend, so a fine (but chilly) relaxed afternoon in the grounds at Rousham and then around Christ Church Meadow at Oxford.
Mid-January there was an automated Lower Dee Valley flood warning (phone / email from The Environment Agency - a modest temporary inundation about half-way up the height of the field gate, although the ground never seems to get waterlogged under foot afterwards). The River Dee had been getting higher after both a thaw and rain.
I temporarily migrated south to Salisbury, ironically looking at similar terrain and habitats in river valleys (also with raised water levels).
Along a minor road between Stapleford and Winterbourne Stoke, I spotted a similar small field to my own - here there was an area of grassland, a relatively newly planted small areas of broad-leaf young trees and also a small orchard area. One corner of the grassland had a discretely placed shepherd's living van...
Also in Salisbury, a quick nosey in Scats Country Stores and four 2m lengths of picket fence acquired for a bulk compost bed for dead leaves etc. (Another job for the Stihl Kombi-Tool with a cultivator head to whizz through now and then for a few of cubic metres of humus rich mulch).
A patchy overgrown hawthorn hedge to the south boundary has had some of the height removed and made accessable along it's base-line for partial replanting / gapping up.
I use a Stihl long-arm chainsaw from their KombiSystem range. I've been careful to keep long established large dog-rose clusters for re-weaving back at around chest height and into the hedge structure when layering.
Part of the thinning is to enable stock-proof fencing to go in and for the gaps to be filled with new hawthorn plants and periodic placing of Hazel and a few ash. It's a compromise between existing wildlife cover and the long-term life-cycle of the hedge.
At home I've been going over a few plans and paperwork and a bit of an inventory of the nursery stock of native broadleaf and orchard trees I have at home. (Really looking forward to a pleasant few days to get on with a planting scheme, once the perimeter is secure against straying livestock).
Looking further ahead to sunny summer days, I've taken the pre-emptive step of purchasing a second-hand water-bowser for maintaining the orchard trees for the first couple of summers. Collection was via Oxfordshire last weekend, so a fine (but chilly) relaxed afternoon in the grounds at Rousham and then around Christ Church Meadow at Oxford.
Mid-January there was an automated Lower Dee Valley flood warning (phone / email from The Environment Agency - a modest temporary inundation about half-way up the height of the field gate, although the ground never seems to get waterlogged under foot afterwards). The River Dee had been getting higher after both a thaw and rain.
I temporarily migrated south to Salisbury, ironically looking at similar terrain and habitats in river valleys (also with raised water levels).
Along a minor road between Stapleford and Winterbourne Stoke, I spotted a similar small field to my own - here there was an area of grassland, a relatively newly planted small areas of broad-leaf young trees and also a small orchard area. One corner of the grassland had a discretely placed shepherd's living van...
Also in Salisbury, a quick nosey in Scats Country Stores and four 2m lengths of picket fence acquired for a bulk compost bed for dead leaves etc. (Another job for the Stihl Kombi-Tool with a cultivator head to whizz through now and then for a few of cubic metres of humus rich mulch).
Sunday, 9 January 2011
hedgerow conservation
A couple of random days between snow, frosts and rain and sunshine tackling the overgrown south hedgerow.
No significant wildlife noticed since the tawny owl - although a mole-hill came up just in front of me with a small snout and front paws protruding, but I wasn't quick enough to get a photo.
The hawthorn is quite high in places along the south hedge line, but sporadically spaced along the 150 meter length of the boundary.
There is probably more gap than hedge, although a good few old dog-roses to conserve and bramble to take down quite a bit. A couple of young ash trees to preserve too.
The plan is to layer the entire length, trying to salvage as much of the original hawthorn as possible and to avoid too much wildlife disturbance in the process. The latter will be a compromise - I think the last time the hedge has been touched looks to have been about 10 years ago.
I'll be filling the gaps with new young hawthorn of regional provenance, as well as putting in a couple of alder and hazel and relocating a few young dog-rose plants.
A few young ash trees will be selectively placed as eventual replacements of the existing mature ash trees.
From maps going back to the late 1700s, there is continual evidence of mature hedgerow trees - but in a parallel row forming a lane in the next field. Apart from one lone oak, the hedge and trees the other side are long gone (non-existent apart from a soil-shadow on a 1970s aerial photo).
I'm quite tempted to replicate / re-establish a linear track within the boundary as green leafy access within my own field and effectively enhancing a green corridor along the field boundary.
The hedgerow rejuvenation is going to take me some time and then the installation of a stock-proof fence along the length...
Friday night on the TV, I was quite interested in Carol Klein's Life in a Cottage Garden - particularly as i got a copy of her excellent Grow your own fruit book for Xmas...
No significant wildlife noticed since the tawny owl - although a mole-hill came up just in front of me with a small snout and front paws protruding, but I wasn't quick enough to get a photo.
The hawthorn is quite high in places along the south hedge line, but sporadically spaced along the 150 meter length of the boundary.
There is probably more gap than hedge, although a good few old dog-roses to conserve and bramble to take down quite a bit. A couple of young ash trees to preserve too.
The plan is to layer the entire length, trying to salvage as much of the original hawthorn as possible and to avoid too much wildlife disturbance in the process. The latter will be a compromise - I think the last time the hedge has been touched looks to have been about 10 years ago.
I'll be filling the gaps with new young hawthorn of regional provenance, as well as putting in a couple of alder and hazel and relocating a few young dog-rose plants.
A few young ash trees will be selectively placed as eventual replacements of the existing mature ash trees.
From maps going back to the late 1700s, there is continual evidence of mature hedgerow trees - but in a parallel row forming a lane in the next field. Apart from one lone oak, the hedge and trees the other side are long gone (non-existent apart from a soil-shadow on a 1970s aerial photo).
I'm quite tempted to replicate / re-establish a linear track within the boundary as green leafy access within my own field and effectively enhancing a green corridor along the field boundary.
The hedgerow rejuvenation is going to take me some time and then the installation of a stock-proof fence along the length...
Friday night on the TV, I was quite interested in Carol Klein's Life in a Cottage Garden - particularly as i got a copy of her excellent Grow your own fruit book for Xmas...
Sunday, 2 January 2011
trees & wildlife
A New Year and an afternoon at the field.
A quick check of the hedges and fences (a bit of work to do until stock-proof yet) - signs of small mammal and bird activity at ground level along the hedge and a couple of small burrows further out.
Along the track-way, a squirrel and in the field behind a heron again.
A few cobs of partly chewed maize here and there from the adjoining field. Most of the hedgerow berries have gone now though.
Walking along the south hedgerow, I'm mindful of a couple of mature hollow trees - a balance between wildlife and safety. They are far enough away from the footpath to be too much of a worry.
Today, in one of the hollow trees, something caught my eye...
An owl seemingly asleep!
Just shows the conservation value of hollow trees, something mentioned often by conservation groups and agencies.
A few items in the weekend papers about a bit of a turnaround for the fortunes of wildlife in the UK, particularly over the last 10 years - a shame that the very agencies with formal responsibility have a dark political shadow over them.
The rest of the afternoon was spent thinning a corner of the south hedge for layering and fencing preparations.
I'm hoping for a week without frost to get ahead with some tree planting from the native broad-leaf stock back at home.
A quick check of the hedges and fences (a bit of work to do until stock-proof yet) - signs of small mammal and bird activity at ground level along the hedge and a couple of small burrows further out.
Along the track-way, a squirrel and in the field behind a heron again.
A few cobs of partly chewed maize here and there from the adjoining field. Most of the hedgerow berries have gone now though.
Walking along the south hedgerow, I'm mindful of a couple of mature hollow trees - a balance between wildlife and safety. They are far enough away from the footpath to be too much of a worry.
Today, in one of the hollow trees, something caught my eye...
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2011 |
Just shows the conservation value of hollow trees, something mentioned often by conservation groups and agencies.
 |
| From Meadowcopse 2011 |
The rest of the afternoon was spent thinning a corner of the south hedge for layering and fencing preparations.
I'm hoping for a week without frost to get ahead with some tree planting from the native broad-leaf stock back at home.
Tuesday, 21 December 2010
conservation & compost
A short while ago I had a chat with a respected local conservationist, he recommended that I looked into waste legislation and the Environment Agency website and exemptions, as arboricultural waste might be useful as compost, conditioning and mulch in my planting schemes...
Well worth looking into, but it won't be something I'll sort with form-filling in just an evening.
Receiving and using appropriate green waste shouldn't be a problem - and I only intend doing so on a small scale, but a transfer licence (£s) and appropriate paperwork will be required for shifting anything (like trailer fulls of dead leaves / tree clippings & shreddings).
May as well include "D3 - Deposit of waste from a portable sanitary convenience" (portaloo) if there is any camping down at the field.
Well worth looking into, but it won't be something I'll sort with form-filling in just an evening.
Receiving and using appropriate green waste shouldn't be a problem - and I only intend doing so on a small scale, but a transfer licence (£s) and appropriate paperwork will be required for shifting anything (like trailer fulls of dead leaves / tree clippings & shreddings).
May as well include "D3 - Deposit of waste from a portable sanitary convenience" (portaloo) if there is any camping down at the field.
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Until the New Year
Not much time at home or to spend at the meadow the last few weeks due to work and weather delays.
The lack of leaves has opened up the hedgerows a bit - a lot of the rosehips have signs of being nibbled by something - both on the stems and loose ones at ground level.
Quite a few residual maize cobs half chewed along the hedge line and in the middle of the grass - I suspect a fox or something reasonably large finding these and bringing them into the field to eat?
I've scattered a quantity of hazelnuts along the south hedge line - if any are left by the time I get home, the way in which they are gnawed into might indicate what small rodents are there (not sure if dormice completely hibernate, or have some winter activity)?
There are a couple of grey squirrels in the hollow parts of the ash trees (although one less in Bristol, as I acquired a prepared one and ate it in a casserole last week).
A heron has been particularly noticeable in the adjoining field and along the brook / trackway and a thrush and blackbird in the hedges.
Quite a few large fresh mole-hills and something else small has been burrowing a short distance out from the west hedge - too small for a rabbit - a hole nearly 2 inches diameter and soil scattered behind?
Seemingly a bit more wool strands on the fence wires - so I suspect neighbouring sheep are still straying, more fencing to do before the main push on tree planting...
Despite the cycle of thawing and freezing, the River Dee remains at almost drought low level - will be interesting what time towards spring it peaks again.
Someone has been in and partly cleared the main ditch though with a machine - I'll be spending a bit of January sorting the channel along the main road boundary as the Council / Highways haven't seemed interested for a decade or more.
In the post, there was a small selection of seeds to add to the grassland - they've gone in the fridge until the ground is more easily prepared for sowing.
A spell down south - a wander through the tree-lined waterways around Salisbury and it's meadow systems for a few 'compare & contrast' observations.
Still trying to determine if a few large poplars in one of the parks (Churchill Gardens) are specifically black poplars?
An afternoon at Thornhayes Nursery in North Devon for a handy fruit tree training and pruning course.
Also whilst down south, a cultivator head picked up for the Stihl multitool - will do for ground clearance around orchard trees and a few other preparations (Scats Countrystores had a 10% Xmas discount evening - although a bit strange talking plant and machinery to someone dressed as one of Santa's Elves...)
The lack of leaves has opened up the hedgerows a bit - a lot of the rosehips have signs of being nibbled by something - both on the stems and loose ones at ground level.
Quite a few residual maize cobs half chewed along the hedge line and in the middle of the grass - I suspect a fox or something reasonably large finding these and bringing them into the field to eat?
I've scattered a quantity of hazelnuts along the south hedge line - if any are left by the time I get home, the way in which they are gnawed into might indicate what small rodents are there (not sure if dormice completely hibernate, or have some winter activity)?
There are a couple of grey squirrels in the hollow parts of the ash trees (although one less in Bristol, as I acquired a prepared one and ate it in a casserole last week).
A heron has been particularly noticeable in the adjoining field and along the brook / trackway and a thrush and blackbird in the hedges.
Quite a few large fresh mole-hills and something else small has been burrowing a short distance out from the west hedge - too small for a rabbit - a hole nearly 2 inches diameter and soil scattered behind?
Seemingly a bit more wool strands on the fence wires - so I suspect neighbouring sheep are still straying, more fencing to do before the main push on tree planting...
Despite the cycle of thawing and freezing, the River Dee remains at almost drought low level - will be interesting what time towards spring it peaks again.
Someone has been in and partly cleared the main ditch though with a machine - I'll be spending a bit of January sorting the channel along the main road boundary as the Council / Highways haven't seemed interested for a decade or more.
In the post, there was a small selection of seeds to add to the grassland - they've gone in the fridge until the ground is more easily prepared for sowing.
A spell down south - a wander through the tree-lined waterways around Salisbury and it's meadow systems for a few 'compare & contrast' observations.
Still trying to determine if a few large poplars in one of the parks (Churchill Gardens) are specifically black poplars?
An afternoon at Thornhayes Nursery in North Devon for a handy fruit tree training and pruning course.
Also whilst down south, a cultivator head picked up for the Stihl multitool - will do for ground clearance around orchard trees and a few other preparations (Scats Countrystores had a 10% Xmas discount evening - although a bit strange talking plant and machinery to someone dressed as one of Santa's Elves...)
Monday, 6 December 2010
winter stasis
After an absence of two and a half weeks, a light lunch on the hoof whilst walking the perimeter of the meadow.
White with frost and a hint of un-thawed snow in the shadow of the hedges, I'd hoped that if it was still snow covered that there might be some wildlife tracks to identify.
Just a few yellow brown leaves on the trees along the north boundary, everything else has dropped away and most of the rose-hips have gone.
In the south-west corner where previously there were fox hairs caught on the fence, some chewed rose-hips on the ground, but not sure what has been eating them.
Not much wildlife apart from a couple of crows leaving the top of the the tallest ash tree. In the field behind the large oak is surrounded by a frosted carpet of golden brown oak leaves.
At the end of the green lane a couple of lesser-spotted chavvy youths with extra layers of Lacoste and accompanying small ugly dogs.
Back at home a few more packs of meadow seeds have arrived, now in the fridge for false wintering until the ground is soft enough for sowing them in.
I think it'll be a few days indoors catching up with plans and paperwork rather than anything great in the great outdoors.
I've just finished reading the excellent and inspiring The Tree House Diaries by Nick Weston. Quite light and upbeat in style, it details six months living and surviving in a woodland tree-house in Sussex. It's packed with fine recipes and sensible and practical observations.
White with frost and a hint of un-thawed snow in the shadow of the hedges, I'd hoped that if it was still snow covered that there might be some wildlife tracks to identify.
Just a few yellow brown leaves on the trees along the north boundary, everything else has dropped away and most of the rose-hips have gone.
In the south-west corner where previously there were fox hairs caught on the fence, some chewed rose-hips on the ground, but not sure what has been eating them.
Not much wildlife apart from a couple of crows leaving the top of the the tallest ash tree. In the field behind the large oak is surrounded by a frosted carpet of golden brown oak leaves.
At the end of the green lane a couple of lesser-spotted chavvy youths with extra layers of Lacoste and accompanying small ugly dogs.
Back at home a few more packs of meadow seeds have arrived, now in the fridge for false wintering until the ground is soft enough for sowing them in.
I think it'll be a few days indoors catching up with plans and paperwork rather than anything great in the great outdoors.
I've just finished reading the excellent and inspiring The Tree House Diaries by Nick Weston. Quite light and upbeat in style, it details six months living and surviving in a woodland tree-house in Sussex. It's packed with fine recipes and sensible and practical observations.
Sunday, 28 November 2010
The Grasslands Trust
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...
The Grasslands Trust
An organisation dedicated to the preservation of this disappearing landscape type...
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:
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| From Blogger Pictures |
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| From Blogger Pictures |
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| From Blogger Pictures |
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| From Blogger Pictures |
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| 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.
Sunday, 24 October 2010
History and travel
A few hours spent in the County Archives in Chester last Thursday, a couple of estate maps to look at - including a 1735 'Enclosures Map' and associated documents on parchment.
The neighbouring land to the south has a collection of documents from the late 1700s to late 1800s including descriptions and field names.
From Tithe Maps around 1835 onwards, my field was previously owned by a William Rowe, his will of 1854 leaves it to his son and a field name of Castle Meadow is possible the same field (to this day, Land Registry have it listed as 'The Meadows'.
A quick visit to the field and the layered east hedge from a couple of weeks ago still has a hint of leaves, som it's still alive.
There were also about 15 sheep in the field from a couple of fields down the trackway - just about managed to herd them out and back through a couple of patchy hedges to the larger flock.
This weekend I'm down in Wiltshire, initially for an 'Apple Day' at Stourhead Farm Shop - quite a few historic varieties to munch through and then to Salisbury for a wander around the historic conservation area of Harnham Meadows (after reading the book Water Meadows.
Ignoring the soil structure differences, I was interested to see what trees were growing in this low lying area and the hedgerow content.
I also picked up a fantastic new book from Waterstones in Salisbury... The Tree House Diaries - 1 guy living as a hunter-gatherer for 6 months in a tree-house.
Out along the roads, I picked up some graft-wood of a reasonably prolific hedgerow apple tree between Salisbury and Stonehenge.
The neighbouring land to the south has a collection of documents from the late 1700s to late 1800s including descriptions and field names.
From Tithe Maps around 1835 onwards, my field was previously owned by a William Rowe, his will of 1854 leaves it to his son and a field name of Castle Meadow is possible the same field (to this day, Land Registry have it listed as 'The Meadows'.
A quick visit to the field and the layered east hedge from a couple of weeks ago still has a hint of leaves, som it's still alive.
There were also about 15 sheep in the field from a couple of fields down the trackway - just about managed to herd them out and back through a couple of patchy hedges to the larger flock.
This weekend I'm down in Wiltshire, initially for an 'Apple Day' at Stourhead Farm Shop - quite a few historic varieties to munch through and then to Salisbury for a wander around the historic conservation area of Harnham Meadows (after reading the book Water Meadows.
Ignoring the soil structure differences, I was interested to see what trees were growing in this low lying area and the hedgerow content.
I also picked up a fantastic new book from Waterstones in Salisbury... The Tree House Diaries - 1 guy living as a hunter-gatherer for 6 months in a tree-house.
Out along the roads, I picked up some graft-wood of a reasonably prolific hedgerow apple tree between Salisbury and Stonehenge.
Saturday, 16 October 2010
History
A couple of evenings spent going through online archives for land history.
From National Archives I found some searchable ancient deeds for the land around and presumably including my field plot at Farndon.
Some of the land rents around the 1400s include a pair of gilt spurs or a rose presented at mid-summer to the local lord.
Further delving brought up some documents held locally at Chester at the County Archives.
I've booked a map table and a folder of documents from the 1700s to view at the end of next week...
Other stuff unearthed includes the field used to launch an attack on the Holt Castle across the River Dee during the Civil War.
From National Archives I found some searchable ancient deeds for the land around and presumably including my field plot at Farndon.
Some of the land rents around the 1400s include a pair of gilt spurs or a rose presented at mid-summer to the local lord.
Further delving brought up some documents held locally at Chester at the County Archives.
I've booked a map table and a folder of documents from the 1700s to view at the end of next week...
Other stuff unearthed includes the field used to launch an attack on the Holt Castle across the River Dee during the Civil War.
Friday, 1 October 2010
Hedging
Just about finished the east boundary hedge between the field and trackway, layered the few existing hawthorns and tried to preserve as much of the wild roses as possible.
I've put in 25 young hawthorns, an alder and 2 hazels.
Didn't get as far as replacing the field gate and posts though.
Quite a few folk out and about along the footpath over the last week, including neighbouring landowners, which was handy for introductions and a chat.
In the south boundary hedge are a few mature ash trees - one has a Woodpecker hole a fair height up...
I've put in 25 young hawthorns, an alder and 2 hazels.
Didn't get as far as replacing the field gate and posts though.
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| From Blogger Pictures |
Quite a few folk out and about along the footpath over the last week, including neighbouring landowners, which was handy for introductions and a chat.
In the south boundary hedge are a few mature ash trees - one has a Woodpecker hole a fair height up...
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| From Blogger Pictures |
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| From Blogger Pictures |
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
The weekend, trees and hedging
A busy few days down at the field...
A minor trim of the overhanging willows from the north (by-pass) boundary, so as to get to the 4 rail fencing for repairs - I've left the Salix viminalis type for now, as that will be handy for cuttings later just poked in the ground.
Saturday was spent at Cannock Chase for a Forestry Fair. Apart from various chainsaw championships and demonstrations, quite a few trade stands and a return home with the Landrover a bit fuller and the wallet a touch emptier.
Mainly hand tools you won't find in B&Q and a few bits and bobs and 80 cell-grown young trees for patching the hedges and planting up.
One handy item was a post-ram for hedging / marker stakes, from a tree-guard and supplies specialist reasonably local in Shropshire.
Sunday was a stunning sunny day - breakfast and groceries from Hawarden Estate Farm Shop, then several hours work clearing the short east boundary hedge along the track-way.
Badly overgrown and thin and patchy at the base, rusty barbed wire and odd fencing removed, I've trimmed the hawthorn ready for layering and left enough room to establish the original line and to get in for new hedge planting and new post and rail fencing behind.
There were only 13 hawthorn 'trees' in all along 30 metres and a few dog-roses saved along the line too.
The wood-burning kettle on the go most of the day, in shorts and T-shirt weather and with a few stops ploughing through provisions from the farm-shop.
A reasonable sized dragon-fly whizzed by and something larger than a rabbit was moving through the long grass with a cob of maize from the field next door.
Monday wasn't so sunny, still a fair bit done and the east boundary almost ready now for the post-hole borer and a new stock-proof fence and gate...
A minor trim of the overhanging willows from the north (by-pass) boundary, so as to get to the 4 rail fencing for repairs - I've left the Salix viminalis type for now, as that will be handy for cuttings later just poked in the ground.
Saturday was spent at Cannock Chase for a Forestry Fair. Apart from various chainsaw championships and demonstrations, quite a few trade stands and a return home with the Landrover a bit fuller and the wallet a touch emptier.
Mainly hand tools you won't find in B&Q and a few bits and bobs and 80 cell-grown young trees for patching the hedges and planting up.
One handy item was a post-ram for hedging / marker stakes, from a tree-guard and supplies specialist reasonably local in Shropshire.
Sunday was a stunning sunny day - breakfast and groceries from Hawarden Estate Farm Shop, then several hours work clearing the short east boundary hedge along the track-way.
Badly overgrown and thin and patchy at the base, rusty barbed wire and odd fencing removed, I've trimmed the hawthorn ready for layering and left enough room to establish the original line and to get in for new hedge planting and new post and rail fencing behind.
There were only 13 hawthorn 'trees' in all along 30 metres and a few dog-roses saved along the line too.
The wood-burning kettle on the go most of the day, in shorts and T-shirt weather and with a few stops ploughing through provisions from the farm-shop.
A reasonable sized dragon-fly whizzed by and something larger than a rabbit was moving through the long grass with a cob of maize from the field next door.
Monday wasn't so sunny, still a fair bit done and the east boundary almost ready now for the post-hole borer and a new stock-proof fence and gate...
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| From Blogger Pictures |
Saturday, 18 September 2010
planning & planting
Looking ahead hopefully to some reasonable weather over the next couple of weeks:
Some of the pot-grown native trees from home will be planted in the narrow end of the field and maybe some fruit trees too.
I've ordered 200 various tree guards from both Acorn and Tubex - 100 are general spirals for rabbit / small mammal protection and 100 across both manufacturers are more robust various rounded top types to prevent bark damage from wind-sway and enclosed for a micro-climate to assist growth.
I get enough young Ash trees sprouting at home to chance a few with no protection to see how they compare to trees grown in quills.
A bit more research into planting patterns - working roughly on a 2m grid spacing with variations from straight lines and with small clumps and groupings of species and allowance for different growth rates and habits of the trees going in.
As well as considering some Elm, (hopefully with Dutch Elm Disease resistance) as part of a National experiment and specimen Black Poplars in the meadow - I've been looking into a few specimen Walnut trees for future timber use (as well as nuts at the orchard area edge).
The Walnut Tree Co. have a few specialist varieties that are tempting - although 60+ years before any realistic return.
Once the leaves drop for the dormant winter season, I'll be ordering a few species of bare rooted trees for planting, to bring the planting density up, initially over a 0.2 hectare area and rounding off 2 corners and a variation from a straight line along the road-boundary fencing...
Some of the pot-grown native trees from home will be planted in the narrow end of the field and maybe some fruit trees too.
I've ordered 200 various tree guards from both Acorn and Tubex - 100 are general spirals for rabbit / small mammal protection and 100 across both manufacturers are more robust various rounded top types to prevent bark damage from wind-sway and enclosed for a micro-climate to assist growth.
I get enough young Ash trees sprouting at home to chance a few with no protection to see how they compare to trees grown in quills.
A bit more research into planting patterns - working roughly on a 2m grid spacing with variations from straight lines and with small clumps and groupings of species and allowance for different growth rates and habits of the trees going in.
As well as considering some Elm, (hopefully with Dutch Elm Disease resistance) as part of a National experiment and specimen Black Poplars in the meadow - I've been looking into a few specimen Walnut trees for future timber use (as well as nuts at the orchard area edge).
The Walnut Tree Co. have a few specialist varieties that are tempting - although 60+ years before any realistic return.
Once the leaves drop for the dormant winter season, I'll be ordering a few species of bare rooted trees for planting, to bring the planting density up, initially over a 0.2 hectare area and rounding off 2 corners and a variation from a straight line along the road-boundary fencing...
Friday, 17 September 2010
Elm trees
Looking further into tree planting schemes, I stumbled across a project to reintroduce elm trees, with hopefully some resilliance to Dutch Elm Disease.
There will be a requirement to report progress through a nationally coordinated scheme via the Conservation Foundation.
There will be a requirement to report progress through a nationally coordinated scheme via the Conservation Foundation.
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Early September
A busy couple of weeks, but mainly at home with a new shed put up for the tractor...
Also at home, the pot grown fruit trees and a few specialist varieties grouped together in the yard so as to help devise a planting scheme - particularly for a heritage varieties orchard.
This weekend just gone, I called in again at Bernwode Plants near Bicester and picked up a couple of young apple trees likely to give a pink juice (Beckley Red & Sops in Wine).
I took a long walk from Lower Heyford to Oxford along the canal tow-path (in fine sunny weather on the Saturday). Part of the purpose of which was to look over various bits of meadow and the general habitat and conservation issues along the Cherwell Valley.
Also a visit on Sunday to Wychwood Forest Fair - a good day out (once the rain stopped) and a lot of conservation habitat information available from various projects and groups. Another heritage apple variety purchased (Châtaignier).
Down at the field the grass has really come on, but still a fair amount of buttercup foliage coming through and patches of nettles at the north and east boundary.
Late one evening the wind was getting up a bit and a noticeable amount of leaves are starting to turn or come off now.
The damaged gatepost at the bottom of the access track was replaced and I re-hung the gate so it can be left closed - just as well as about 20 tyres had been fly-tipped into the brook at the side of the public footpath.
I used the Cheshire West & Chester website 'fly-tipping' on-line report form last Friday and by Monday evening the tyres had been removed.
I gave the south hedgerow mature ash trees a bit of a closer looking over, I'd noticed one was partly hollow about half way up (40 feet?) - most have been pollarded at some time in the past, but the hollow one is one of the tallest in it's natural form and from across the field daylight is visible all the way through.
Also at home, the pot grown fruit trees and a few specialist varieties grouped together in the yard so as to help devise a planting scheme - particularly for a heritage varieties orchard.
This weekend just gone, I called in again at Bernwode Plants near Bicester and picked up a couple of young apple trees likely to give a pink juice (Beckley Red & Sops in Wine).
I took a long walk from Lower Heyford to Oxford along the canal tow-path (in fine sunny weather on the Saturday). Part of the purpose of which was to look over various bits of meadow and the general habitat and conservation issues along the Cherwell Valley.
Also a visit on Sunday to Wychwood Forest Fair - a good day out (once the rain stopped) and a lot of conservation habitat information available from various projects and groups. Another heritage apple variety purchased (Châtaignier).
Down at the field the grass has really come on, but still a fair amount of buttercup foliage coming through and patches of nettles at the north and east boundary.
Late one evening the wind was getting up a bit and a noticeable amount of leaves are starting to turn or come off now.
The damaged gatepost at the bottom of the access track was replaced and I re-hung the gate so it can be left closed - just as well as about 20 tyres had been fly-tipped into the brook at the side of the public footpath.
I used the Cheshire West & Chester website 'fly-tipping' on-line report form last Friday and by Monday evening the tyres had been removed.
I gave the south hedgerow mature ash trees a bit of a closer looking over, I'd noticed one was partly hollow about half way up (40 feet?) - most have been pollarded at some time in the past, but the hollow one is one of the tallest in it's natural form and from across the field daylight is visible all the way through.
Saturday, 28 August 2010
Brunch
A brief field visit Thursday, bacon rolls from Mickey Broxton's on the A41 and a picnic in the Landrover along the hedgeline.
August's mixed weather has brought the grass on quite well, although the buttercups are recovering a bit too - at least I got them mown before they'd gone to seed.
A walk along the hedges and trackway revealed a plum or damson tree doing rather well - quite a lot of dark purple fleshy fruits, quite pleasant to eat too.
This is at the same ground level as the field and growing out of the bank of the ditch, so I'm not too cautious now about creating the informal orchard area...
August's mixed weather has brought the grass on quite well, although the buttercups are recovering a bit too - at least I got them mown before they'd gone to seed.
A walk along the hedges and trackway revealed a plum or damson tree doing rather well - quite a lot of dark purple fleshy fruits, quite pleasant to eat too.
This is at the same ground level as the field and growing out of the bank of the ditch, so I'm not too cautious now about creating the informal orchard area...
Monday, 23 August 2010
A quiet week
A Sunday evening call by the meadow after travelling back north from Wiltshire and Gloucestershire (A Georgian garden party at Painswick Rococo Gardens...) and the first reliably sunny day for a while too.
The missing gate from the nearby access track appears to be in the bottom of the brook, which will be a bit of a wrestle to retrieve.
Not much done at the field this week due to sorting a new shed for the tractor at home and generally tidying around.
The grass (and the neighbour's maize) have really noticeably grown and the hawthorn hedge has a noticeable amount of berries.
The missing gate from the nearby access track appears to be in the bottom of the brook, which will be a bit of a wrestle to retrieve.
Not much done at the field this week due to sorting a new shed for the tractor at home and generally tidying around.
The grass (and the neighbour's maize) have really noticeably grown and the hawthorn hedge has a noticeable amount of berries.
Monday, 16 August 2010
A couple of weeks...
A quick wander around the hedgerows yesterday evening after an absence of a couple of weeks.
The grass has sprung up quite well after mowing and harrowing last month. Still a lot of buttercup plants amongst it and nettles coming back at the edges.
After last week's rain, the ground was moist underfoot - but not waterlogged.
The ash trees and field maple are noticeably in seed now.
The spare gate from the bottom of the shared track has vanished, hopefully someone had the same idea as me to replace the bashed gatepost and refit it - although somehow I think it's been borrowed long term...
The grass has sprung up quite well after mowing and harrowing last month. Still a lot of buttercup plants amongst it and nettles coming back at the edges.
After last week's rain, the ground was moist underfoot - but not waterlogged.
The ash trees and field maple are noticeably in seed now.
The spare gate from the bottom of the shared track has vanished, hopefully someone had the same idea as me to replace the bashed gatepost and refit it - although somehow I think it's been borrowed long term...
Saturday, 7 August 2010
RPA admin, flood warnings and meadow mixes
Relayed from back at home, confirmation of a 'P I' - personal identifier for agricultural activities after sending of a Creg1 form and a follow-up phone call with the Rural Payments Agency for a County Parish holding number and a few other details.
Although the relatively small acreage means I'm unlikely to be bestowed with grants as a countryside custodian, it's an essential bit of administration if I make an application under the English Woodland Grant Scheme before the September 2010 deadline.
A phone call to the Environment Agency to set up automated flood warning messages by text and email (their website is easy for householders and business to register online, but landowners without a postal address get transferred to a regional office to clarify the details).
Meanwhile a bit of research into seed mixes for meadows - I've ordered a small pack of seed to trial of a traditional Yorkshire meadow mix, but I'm considering a larger mix from MAS Seeds or Manor Oaks
Although the relatively small acreage means I'm unlikely to be bestowed with grants as a countryside custodian, it's an essential bit of administration if I make an application under the English Woodland Grant Scheme before the September 2010 deadline.
A phone call to the Environment Agency to set up automated flood warning messages by text and email (their website is easy for householders and business to register online, but landowners without a postal address get transferred to a regional office to clarify the details).
Meanwhile a bit of research into seed mixes for meadows - I've ordered a small pack of seed to trial of a traditional Yorkshire meadow mix, but I'm considering a larger mix from MAS Seeds or Manor Oaks
Friday, 30 July 2010
grassland ideas
Thinking some more about the grass down at the meadow, I'm a little surprised that there isn't greater species diversity across the plot.
I've a feeling from memory back in the mid 1980s, when the larger landscape had a raised by-pass put through - that the construction site-huts were on the plot that I am now custodian of and that it may have been re-seeded.
Inspired somewhat by an excellent book A year in the life of an English meadow - I'm tempted to apply a specialist meadow flower seed mix (initially in small trial areas) in what will remain as traditional meadow long term.
That would also require a structured seasonal mowing / grazing routine.
A website I found interesting was Meadowmania with specialist and selectable seed mixes.
An interesting suggestion has also been traditional natural dyestuff plants, interestingly a section of Louden's Encyclopædia of Agriculture from the 1800s that I browsed through had several paragraphs on this, but I'm reluctant to set down much of an area as a crop.
I've a feeling from memory back in the mid 1980s, when the larger landscape had a raised by-pass put through - that the construction site-huts were on the plot that I am now custodian of and that it may have been re-seeded.
Inspired somewhat by an excellent book A year in the life of an English meadow - I'm tempted to apply a specialist meadow flower seed mix (initially in small trial areas) in what will remain as traditional meadow long term.
That would also require a structured seasonal mowing / grazing routine.
A website I found interesting was Meadowmania with specialist and selectable seed mixes.
An interesting suggestion has also been traditional natural dyestuff plants, interestingly a section of Louden's Encyclopædia of Agriculture from the 1800s that I browsed through had several paragraphs on this, but I'm reluctant to set down much of an area as a crop.
Monday, 26 July 2010
A quiet week
Back home in Cheshire after a long weekend at the Secret Garden Party festival in Cambridgeshire.
Dropped by the field late evening and relatively quiet - no sign of the bees, which I thought had moved into a hollow tree.
The south-west corner has some activity at a burrow - just one hole and possibly a bit big for a rabbit, but not sure what? The grass is greening up after mowing and harrowing, but a couple of clumps of dead cut grass to remove.
Looking over old maps with my brother, the track that used to be tree-lined and along the south boundary caused some interest - quite why is uncertain, but at the ash tree at the south east corner the remaining track would have split three ways...
Dropped by the field late evening and relatively quiet - no sign of the bees, which I thought had moved into a hollow tree.
The south-west corner has some activity at a burrow - just one hole and possibly a bit big for a rabbit, but not sure what? The grass is greening up after mowing and harrowing, but a couple of clumps of dead cut grass to remove.
Looking over old maps with my brother, the track that used to be tree-lined and along the south boundary caused some interest - quite why is uncertain, but at the ash tree at the south east corner the remaining track would have split three ways...
Tuesday, 20 July 2010
a harrowing experience...
The weekend's mowed grass was given a going over with a frame-mounted harrow to lift the places where the weather had layered it.
Probably another cut to do in a couple of weeks time on a lower setting, once a bit of fresh green growth comes through.
It looks like the bee colony has moved on, in fact a bit quiet for wildlife all-round late into the evening.
Probably another cut to do in a couple of weeks time on a lower setting, once a bit of fresh green growth comes through.
It looks like the bee colony has moved on, in fact a bit quiet for wildlife all-round late into the evening.
Saturday, 17 July 2010
mowing
A mower purchased and collected locally late on Wednesday, tractor sorted on Thursday afternoon, some preparations at home on Friday for transporting equipment with the trailer.
Saturday morning got rather wet with the rain here in Chester, putting a cloud over the plans for mowing - but it soon cleared into quite a sunny mid-day and afternoon.
Down to the field and mowing carried out, probably for the first time this year:
Along the south hedgerow I fortunately spotted a random bee colony hanging from a hawthorn branch - right in the line of the tractor exhaust (no cab)! and fortunately avoided.
Amongst the docks, thistles and buttercups taken down, the only significant other flower was meadowsweet - apparently good for the innards if infused.
A couple of random burrows along the south and west hedges, but one had a few bumble-bees buzzing around, so guess they were the only inhabitants.
Between one run along the length of the field and back, 2 mole-hills appeared in the time taken to return.
Up above a Merlin or small buzzard was circling around.
A couple of walkers along the track-way near-by, one couple lost and needing directions back to the picnic area by the mediaeval bridge at Farndon.
Saturday morning got rather wet with the rain here in Chester, putting a cloud over the plans for mowing - but it soon cleared into quite a sunny mid-day and afternoon.
Down to the field and mowing carried out, probably for the first time this year:
Along the south hedgerow I fortunately spotted a random bee colony hanging from a hawthorn branch - right in the line of the tractor exhaust (no cab)! and fortunately avoided.
Amongst the docks, thistles and buttercups taken down, the only significant other flower was meadowsweet - apparently good for the innards if infused.
A couple of random burrows along the south and west hedges, but one had a few bumble-bees buzzing around, so guess they were the only inhabitants.
Between one run along the length of the field and back, 2 mole-hills appeared in the time taken to return.
Up above a Merlin or small buzzard was circling around.
A couple of walkers along the track-way near-by, one couple lost and needing directions back to the picnic area by the mediaeval bridge at Farndon.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Tithe Map
Just after purchasing the field about a month ago, I started looking up local history and found the Local Council website had an interactive archive map.
It presents two windows for comparing maps of different ages / aerial photos and information and is scaleable for direct comparison.
From a Tithe Map plot 285, my originally larger field was owned by a Mr. Rowe, a modern map shows how a by-pass has left it annexed from the river as an almost triangular plot.
What I hadn't noticed until I started to compare the amount of veteran trees in the hedges, was a lane parallel to the south boundary 'mature' hedgerow.
This lane has long gone (an outline in the ground can just about be seen on the b&w 1970s aerial photo). It explains why there is a random large oak tree outside the hedge line in the neighbour's field to the south west corner.
From just over two weeks ago, I think there might have been an otter visiting - some of the long grass had a track too narrow for someone to have walked through, the ground has been too hard for paw-prints for confirmation, but a splatter like a small cow-pat would suggest an otter with it difficult to think what else.
It presents two windows for comparing maps of different ages / aerial photos and information and is scaleable for direct comparison.
From a Tithe Map plot 285, my originally larger field was owned by a Mr. Rowe, a modern map shows how a by-pass has left it annexed from the river as an almost triangular plot.
What I hadn't noticed until I started to compare the amount of veteran trees in the hedges, was a lane parallel to the south boundary 'mature' hedgerow.
This lane has long gone (an outline in the ground can just about be seen on the b&w 1970s aerial photo). It explains why there is a random large oak tree outside the hedge line in the neighbour's field to the south west corner.
From just over two weeks ago, I think there might have been an otter visiting - some of the long grass had a track too narrow for someone to have walked through, the ground has been too hard for paw-prints for confirmation, but a splatter like a small cow-pat would suggest an otter with it difficult to think what else.
Sunday, 11 July 2010
more paperwork
A sensible short phone conversation Friday morning with The Rural Payments Agency - not that I'm going to be bestowed by coffers of funding from the Common Agricultural Policy (the plot size mostly precludes this), but I was pointed in the direction of downloadable form CReg 01 to ensure the land remains on the Rural Land Register (over and above Land registry now it has it's own Title Number after being divested from a larger farming enterprise.
Registration is also necessary if I explore opportunities for planting under the Forestry Commission's English Woodland Grant Scheme.
A couple of 'paper exercises' for planting schemes and some notes scribbled for odd jobs over the next couple of months and deliberating over a small topper or finishing mower for behind a compact tractor.
Main focus so far for 2010/2011 with the land is to:
Make the boundaries stock-proof
Mow and maintain +50% of the area as traditional meadow with an alternating mowing / grazing strategy over future years
Recover the hedgerows by layering and maintain species diversity
Plant a few specimen black poplars in the meadow area
Finalise a planting plan for the shadier narrow side with native local provenance trees
Plan and partially plant an informal 'traditional' orchard, including a nursery stock of experimental hybrids and a few specimen mulberry trees.
Liaise with interested parties for Biodiversity Action Plan targets.
Registration is also necessary if I explore opportunities for planting under the Forestry Commission's English Woodland Grant Scheme.
A couple of 'paper exercises' for planting schemes and some notes scribbled for odd jobs over the next couple of months and deliberating over a small topper or finishing mower for behind a compact tractor.
Main focus so far for 2010/2011 with the land is to:
Make the boundaries stock-proof
Mow and maintain +50% of the area as traditional meadow with an alternating mowing / grazing strategy over future years
Recover the hedgerows by layering and maintain species diversity
Plant a few specimen black poplars in the meadow area
Finalise a planting plan for the shadier narrow side with native local provenance trees
Plan and partially plant an informal 'traditional' orchard, including a nursery stock of experimental hybrids and a few specimen mulberry trees.
Liaise with interested parties for Biodiversity Action Plan targets.
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