Turning The Beds

The compost bay that was reconstructed by using old beds last year, see blog entry 'Six Old Beds' 4th October 2012, has had to be repaired today. The four beds that were placed at the back of the bay, have now been turned on their ends in order to create a sturdier construction, as well as being supported by new back boards.

To support the left side of the bay, angled wooden supports have been constructed to prevent any future collapse. It is hoped that this new, improved design will be stronger, especially if it is hit by the grab attachment of the New Holland tractor when turning the compost heap, see blog entry 'How Do You Keep Warm?' 26th November 2010.

Dressed In Full PPE

Hidden amongst the huge leaves of the Tetrapanax papyrifer, in the herbaceous border, is the last banana plant that needs to go into the greenhouse for winter storage. The team are all aware of the nasty, irritating dust that is found on the underside of the leaves, so always wear protective face masks when handling them, see blog entry 'All Out' 5th October 2011. Ali, particularly susceptible to the dust, having choked, coughed, spluttered, itched and had streaming eyes, wore the full PPE, personal protective equipment, gloves, chemical suit with hood, face mask and goggles, when handling the plant today.

Leafing After St. Jude

The ferocious St Jude storm passed through Oxford last night, fortunately, only bringing down leaves and not causing any damage to the gardens. In recent weeks, now that the leaves have began to fall, Monday has become 'leafing day' for the team, and, due to the high overnight winds, there were more leaves to collect than usually seen after the weekend.

All the team were involved today, clearing up the leaves around the college using various methods, blowing, mowing and raking all day until they were all cleared. Next Monday the team will regroup for another 'Leafing Day'. 

Triple Width Stripes

Since the blog began in February 2009, four and a half years ago, there have been many differant designs seen on the lawn in the quad, some of which can be seen using the links below.

'Double Width Circles' 3rd May 2013
'Round In Circles' 26th March 2012
'Change Of Direction'  2nd June 2010
'Seeing Double' 30th September 2010

Today Joss, for the first time, mowed 'triple width stripes' on the lawn.

Planting For A Winter Display

This year's summer display in the Provost's Courtyard was removed on the 10th October, with the pots having sat empty since then. Simon, assisted by the volunteers, Crystal on Friday and today by Sophie, started by planting the large architectural, evergreen plants, varieties of Holly, Ilex aquifolium and Ilex crenata.

With the large plants in place, creating a backdrop to work against, dwarf shrubs were planted, the Dogwood, Cornus alba 'Westernbirt' and the Christmas Berry, Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin'. The low planting was provided by the Black Grass, Ophiopogon planiscapus 'Nigrescens, and to soften the edges of the pots, Ivy, Hedera helix 'Parsley Crested' was planted. Wallflowers will be added over the next few days and then bulbs, once received from the distributors.

Potting Up September's Cuttings

The cuttings, taken from the tender plants that have formed the wonderful displays seen around the college this summer, have rooted and are ready to be potted up into their individual pots. The cuttings taken a month ago, see blog entry 18th September 'Mist Unit Filled With Cuttings', have been out of the mist unit for a week, hardening off, no longer being pampered with under soil heating and a regular misting every 45 minutes. Kieron, Callum, Ali and Sophie spent a rain affected morning in the potting shed and greenhouse until all the cuttings were done. These plants will form next year's summer display and will spend the next six months under glass.

Pear Picking Time

The first apples for this year's college juice were picked on the 9th October, see blog entry 'Apple Picking 2013', now it is time to pick the pears which have ripened over the last week. Ali and Kieron spent the day in the orchard picking three varieties of pears, Conference, Winter Nelis and Doyenne du Comice, filling 7 trays by lunch time. In the afternoon their attention returned to the apples filling another 6 trays, 13 trays in total, all destined for juicing at Waterperry Gardens.