WEST HILL BLOG NO. 101 Squelchy squelchy

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The weeks leading up to Christmas can be a challenge especially when the daily weather is rain, grey cloud & more rain. Under foot it it extremely squishy however, I cannot rest on my laurels. There is too much to do. 
The last week the Woodland Corridor borders have been weeded, titivated & mulched with two types of compost; a) a used potting media, courtesy of Otter Nurseries which acts as a 'soil modifier' that is to say, it improves the soil structure & b) my own home made leafmold which is being used to mulch around individual shrubs, divided & replanted perennials.
Mulched Woodland Corridor
 Woodland Border after Oak Leaved Hydranger has 
been relocated


Home made Leafmold
The other, slightly challenging task has been to clear a space where the new native hedge will be planted in January. the 80 foot hedge will provide a barrier to the ditch, but more importantly will act as a wildlife corridor for insects, birds & mammals. The Hedge will contain a range of species including Hazel, Field Maple, Hawthorn, Dogwood, Wild Rose & Buckthorn
Max in the mud, clearing a line for hedge
Heather & Jane from Southbrook working hard in the mud!
Ruairi has been busy taking hardwood cuttings and collecting seed, here gathering the old seed heads of Phlomis russelliana
 After the rat incident when a rat ate all of Ruairi's broadbeans planted in the polytunnels raised beds, we decided to try again, but this time plant in pots ... so far so good.



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