It’s been a while since we’ve updated about the goings on in the garden, but we’re here at last to let you all know of our latest project – a natural hazel turf seat! We coppiced the two hazel trees in the garden, much to everyone’s enjoyment at getting to hear that crack when a tree is felled…they also like planting them too, promise!
The timber was sorted into nice long poles we could use for the weaving part and sturdier lengths to use as the stakes around which to weave. The smaller bits were chopped into pencil sized pieces to replenish the storm kettle wood stock, so something to keep everyone happy. There were some new tools introduced for this task too, pruning saws and billhooks to name but a few.
We’re installing the seating around the ornamental pear tree in the middle of the garden, and luckily haven’t disturbed any of the bulbs that are now starting to come up – phew! The crocuses treated us to a splash of colour in the wet muddy grass.
Another task we’ve been able to finally do is dig in the green manure so the soil will be well nourished when we finally get to planting some vegetable seeds in a few weeks.
The weather this winter has been quite mild but so very wet and we’re sure there haven’t been this many puddles seen in the garden ever before! The onions are hanging on which we planted back in the autumn so hopefully we’ll have something out the ground in a few months. We have been very good at keeping on top of the buttercups in the newly sectioned plots – not a favourite task but a very necessary one.
Looking forward to spring finally springing as the bulbs are peering through the ground awaiting to treat us with their colourful blooms any time now…