Coppicing Willow

The Scarlet Willow by the weir in the Provost's garden, Salix alba 'Chermesina', have provided a stunning display of colourful stems this winter. Grown for these stems, the willow is coppiced at this time every year, the resultant growth of 2 to 3 meters in one year produce the young yellow-orange-red stems that created this display, enhanced by their reflection in the water. 

Each stem is cut back to 2 to 4 buds, about 5-10cm above last year's cut, then the willow is collected and tied into bundles for drying out and storage.

The First Egg Laid (2014)

The first egg has been laid by the pen, female swan, which is six weeks earlier than last year, see blog entry 3rd May 2013 'The First Egg Laid'. Let's hope that this is the year that cygnets are finally seen on the lake, the staff will be watching and hoping.

Potting Up And Moving Out

The more hardy of the cuttings, that were taken last September, had their final pot up today and were moved out the heated greenhouse to start the hardening off process, toughening them up before they are planted outside in June. They were placed in the old peach house that is unheated but south facing so generates sufficient heat to protect against any cold nights, their next move will be into the cold frames towards the end of April.

'Pruning With Confidence'

Ali spent the day attending the 'Pruning With Confidence' course at the Garden School of Coton Manor Gardens, Northamptonshire. With so many differant plants in the college gardens pruning is a regular, essential task undertaken throughout the year, the day of training and education was very informative and inspirational.  The course:

"In everyone's garden, large or small, pruning is an essential task each year if you want healthy, flourishing and re-invigorated plants to retain their optimum shape and flower abundantly. Brian Davis will explain both the theory and practical aspects of pruning and banish any notion that this is a dry, academic subject – you will be both informed and entertained during this full day course. A considerable part of the day is spent in the garden demonstrating pruning techniques on many of the mature shrubs at Coton."

Lawn Maintenance On The Nuffield Lawn

The Nuffield lawn is in need of a bit of attention following the very wet winter. One area, the entrance to the sheds, suffered considerably from water logging and has remained wet and sticky ever since the rain stopped. To try and prevent this from happening again the area underwent some maintenance today. To relieve the compaction the area was spiked and air lifted using garden forks, once the fork had been inserted into the soil it was given a little wiggle backwards and forwards to lift the turf slightly. 

Once the spiking had been finished, sand was delivered to the area, spread over the holes and then brushed in. 

Other areas of the Nuffield lawn also needed maintenance, bald patches with no grasses rather than compaction was their problem. These areas were dry and hard so before a top dressing could be added a lawn scarifier was used to 'scuff up' the soil.

A sandy loam was then tipped in to piles over the scarified areas and spread using shovels, dispersing the loam using a throwing action, any remaining small piles were then raked level using landscape rakes.

The top dressing will be allowed to settle over the next few days then grass seed scattered on to it. Whilst germination takes place the area will be roped off and will remain in place until the first cut. 

Rebuilding Last Year's Nest

The swans have been rebuilding last year's nest over the last few days. The male has been pulling and breaking the reeds and passing them to the female to add to what was left of last year's nest. Last year they were building the nest at the beginning of May, see blog entry 1st May 2013, 'Nesting Swans', so they are six weeks earlier this year.

The Sound Of Spring 'The Chiffchaff'

One of the first signs of spring has been heard around the college gardens, the Chiffchaff. Heard today, perched in the Holm Oak on the Nuffield lawn, the Chiffchaff is one of the first migrant birds to arrive back in Britain and, for Ali, this song heralds the start of Spring, the next migrant bird to be listened out for is the Blackcap. To hear the Chiffchaff, click on the highlighted Chiffchaff.