Planting A Further 2000 Bulbs

The 2000 bulbs that were delivered to the college on the 19th December, too late in the day for planting on the last working day of last year, see blog entry '2000 Bulbs Are Waiting', have now been planted. Continuing on from the first 1000 Scilla siberica bulbs that were planted on the 21st November, the team have planted a further 1000 today in the bulb area under the trees, in the middle of the Nuffield lawn. Once these had been planted they moved to another area of bulb planting on the lawn, adding 1000 Chionodoxa luciliae. This brings the total number of bulbs planted since the end of October to 5410, a huge effort by all the team.

Fishing For Willow

Refreshed from their two week festive break, the team have spent two days clearing the gardens of all the tree debris that has fallen whilst they have been away. One such piece, and the largest they had to deal with, was a branch that had snapped off from one of the weeping willow trees that overhangs the lake.

Using a piece of rope with a hook on the end, the makeshift fishing line is cast into the lake in the hope that it catches a piece of willow and not a fish. Successfully caught on the second cast, the catch is reeled in to the bank, no catch and release for this one!

Once on dry land, the branch is cut up and taken to the chipping pile for chipping at a later date.

Not happy with just fishing for willow, they also had to go fishing for a wooden memorial bench that was floating in the lake, first casting caught this one though!

Welcome To Worcester College's Tercentenary Year 2014

"Happy New Year" and Welcome Back" to, what promises to be, a very busy year in the gardens as the team prepare them for the college's tercentenary year celebrations, 1714-2014. We look forward to your company, your comments and support as the blog enters its 6th year and the college celebrates this historic year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Another busy year in the gardens is complete and the team are taking a well earned break over the festive period, returning on the 2nd January 2014.
The team would like to thank you all for your continued support and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New year. Next year will be another busy year as the team prepare the gardens to celebrate the college's Tercentenary Year, 1714-2014. 

2000 Bulbs Are Waiting

Having planted 1000 Scilla siberica in November, see blog entry for the 21st, another 1000 bulbs were delivered this afternoon along with 1000 Chionodoxa luciliae. Arriving too late to be planted this year due to college shut down, 2000 bulbs now await the team when they return on the 2nd.

In Need Of A New Home

As with last year, the Christmas Tree from the Pump Quad is in need of a good home over the festive period, see blog entry 19th december 2012, 'Free To A Good Home'. This year the tree is even bigger so will take some moving to its new home, but after several hours, the tree finally dissappeared from outside the college. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all the gardening team at Worcester College.

The Giant Leaf Of The Chinese Parasol Tree

There are few trees in the gardens that are still dropping their leaves. One such tree is the Chinese Parasol Tee, Firmiana simplex, which has giant leaves. The photograph below shows two of the giant leaves in comparison to Beech leaves and Oak leaves, but to truly appreciate the size you will need a tape measure. From the tip of the leaf to its base measures 17 inches, from leaf tip to the base of the petiole, the stalk that attaches the leaf to the stem of the plant measures 30 inches, and from its widest margins it measures 20 inches across,  a true giant amongst leaves.