Malcolm masking up ready for spraying |
The Orchard for the Future is going well, apart from a minor problem with the quince trees and a few others others which have had to be treated for quince leaf blight fungal infection using traditional Bordeaux mixture and flowers of sulphur. Both of these chemicals are traditionally used in organic agriculture. Thanks go to Isabel, Malcolm and Tim for carrying out the spraying. At least two further retreatments will be required – one in winter and one before leaf burst in spring.
Tim points out the blackthorn that we’ll need to eradicate from the long grass |
You will have seen that the grass around the young trees on the Common has been left uncut apart from the wide pathway where people walk. This is to provide a habitat for mice and voles, which will hopefully entice owls to nest in the woods. In future years the grass will be cut in sections on a three-year rotation. We’ve noticed that there is a patch of young blackthorn shrubs growing in the long grassland where the apple trees are on the common and this matter needs to be addressed at some stage. Off with their heads!