Compost Storage Alterations

The compost storage area has been causing the team some problems when moving the heavy bags to and from the bay. The bags usually fill the entire bay behind boards at the front, the only way of reaching the bags, especially at the back, is to clamber over the bags and drag the bags out, a manual handling nightmare.

On the 7th January, Simon and Ali redesigned the bay making the bags more accessible by changing the frontage and creating a path through the middle. First the retaining boards from the front, and the rotten floor board from the base, were removed, then a hole two foot deep dug out.

Next the cement was mixed with water and an aggregate to make the concrete, which was then poured into the hole around a slotted concrete fence post, checking the post remained straight as the concrete was poured.

The old boards from the front of the bay were then cut to fit the new, reduced size frontage and a new board, cut to fit, was placed on the floor.

Having allowed the new floor board to dry over the last week, it was slightly wet when brought in from outside, the remaining bags of compost have been moved back into the bay today. The result, and as planned, a modified compost bay with a walk way allowing safe access, a great result for safer manual handling.

Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire'

Ali, Graham, Ady and Callum took a break from pruning today to add plants to an area that was last worked on in November, see blog entry for the 28th 'Salix alba ssp. vitellina Yelverton'.

This time the visit was to plant nine Cornus sanguinea 'Midwinter Fire' beneath the rich bronze-red stems of the Salix. The Cornus, smaller than the Salix, will bring the colours orange, yellow and red to the lower level of the border.

Simon placed the Cornus out into their final positions and once they were all planted a layer of mulch was added to the border. The sun shone throughout the morning and as it hit the tips of the newly planted Cornus the lower level planting did look like flames of a midwinter fire. 

A Week Of Pruning Begins, Weather Permitting

Weather permitting, a week of pruning started today beginning with the large wisteria that grows along the railings at the far end of the quad. By the end of the day this wisteria had been pruned along with a Campsis and Kiwi fruit that are also found on the railings. A good start to the week, leaving a further seven Wisteria, two Campsis, a Kiwi fruit, Goji Berry and a Vine still to be pruned.

As Seen On TV

As seen on TV,  Joss and Simon in tonight's episode of the 'Great British Garden Revival'. If you haven't seen it here is a link to the BBC iPlayer, episode available until 7:59PM Tuesday 21st Jan 2014,   http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b03pr191/ 

"One Of The Last Bastions Of The Perfect British Lawn"

Joss - Lawn Man Extraordinaire

Head Of Gardens and Grounds - Simon Bagnall

Fighting Back The Spread Of A Vigorous, Spreading Reed

When cutting back the marginal plants yesterday, Ali and Graham noticed that the reed had spread away from the water's edge and begun spreading into the border. Unable to dig it out, due to the black, weed suppressing membrane covering the border, they had to remove the membrane first. Not an easy task as it was covered in soil with a layer of tangled, spreading reed growth above and below it.

First they removed some of the soil so the membrane could be cut into manageable pieces. Each piece then had to be dug out, not an easy task as the reed had created a thick matting through the membrane. After a day of digging, cutting, chopping, ripping and pulling, the reed had been removed and a fresh layer of bark placed on the border. The reed is still growing at the water's edge, but as it spreads back into the border it can be easily dug out and contained.

A Busy Day Working By The Weir

There are a number of jobs that need to be done by the weir; the marginal planting needs to be cut down; an overhanging tree covered in ivy needs to be cut down and the bridge needs to be power washed to remove the moss and algae. Ali and Graham worked together at the water's edge, taking out a small wire fence by the marginal planting before cutting them down with the long reach hedge cutter.

Simon, Ady and Callum worked together to remove the ivy covered tree that was leaning, precariously, over the weir.

They tied a rope to the tree to secure the trunk, and control its fall, as Simon cut it down with the chainsaw.

Once down, it was cut up into smaller pieces, taken across the weir and transported to the chipper ready for chipping later in the day.

The last job of the day by the weir was to power wash the bridge, which had become very slippery since it was last cleaned 18 months ago, see blog entry 13th June 2012 'Preparing For The Encaenia 2012'.

By the end of a busy day by the weir, the team were treated to a visit by the swans that had just arrived on the lake. This time last year, 11th January to be exact, the swans arrived on the lake, the same pair possibly, the lake may well be their mating territory, see blog entry 'To Enhance The Winter Reflection'. If they are, it is their third year, always arriving in early January. In their first year they mated, started building a nest, then left and then last year they mated, built a nest, laid eggs but left after they failed to hatch. This year, hopefully, their 3rd and our 300th, they will go one step further and successfully hatch eggs and cygnets will be seen on the lake.   

A Change In Programme Scheduling On The BBC

For those of you expecting to see the episode of 'Great British Garden Revival' featuring the quad lawn at 7.00pm tonight on BBC 2, the transmission date has been changed. The episode is now scheduled to be show on Friday 10th, same time, same channel. In the mean time, Joss cut the quad lawn for the first time this year, here is a glimpse of 'lawn perfection'.