Little Green Space
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Little Green Space |
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November 2009 November 19, 2009 Tree O'Clock Preparations We have been out clearing a large patch of bramble, to get the ground ready for tree planting on 5 December. We are planning to join thousands of others across the country to plant as many native trees in one hour as possible, and hopefully break a world record. When I say large (in reference to the bramble patch) it is a slight understatement. There is an area of about a quarter of an acre in the top meadow which is just over-run with brambles. This part of the field has been largely neglected for many years, and it's here that we want our native trees to go in, so the bramble will have to come out. We're using the Hard Slog method of bramble clearance: Rich has cut the plants down with a brush cutter, and now we're digging each plant out individually, roots and all. We want to plant here as soon as possible, so whilst it may be tempting to reach for the Round Up that is not really an option. I use the term "we" in the loosest possible sense, of course, as I only started to help this afternoon. My stock excuse ("too much to do in the vegetable garden") doesn't really wash anymore. There is still plenty of veg in the garden (parsnips, kale, leeks, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, purple sprouting broccoli...) but at this time of year, with weeding dramatically reduced, no seeds to sow, and not so much to harvest, there isn't nearly so much to do. Of course you don't need a quarter of an acre of brambles to get involved in the Tree O'Clock event. Any small, native tree will count towards the grand total, so why not make space in your garden and plant a tree on 5 December between 11 and 12 o'clock? November 11, 2009 Five Eggs The new chickens have settled in very well, and even Hetty, the very shy brown hen, is now confident enough to come running over to see me when she hears the gate opening. Today we collected five eggs from the chicken coops - the most we've ever collected!
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