New bridlepath

The new bridlepath has been prepared and seeded. We will keep you up to date with progress

What a difference a week makes

The cover crops have changed completely in a week. The red clover is luxurious and the mustard is coming into flower on another plot. Check them out

Mustard mix

Red Clover

Regeneration after mowing - floristically enhanced plot

Renewal after mowing

More woodland flowers ...

Anenomes and ladbybird in April

Cuckoo flower, Milkmaid or Lady's smock

First Bluebells

Dandylions - perfect nature in the shape of their heads

The swifts and housemartins are back!

I am always thrilled to see the return of the swifts and housemartins swooping in the sky and this weekend they returned from their winter holiday. Let's hope they refurbish their nests and get cosy very soon.

Tractor and harrow

We used a tractor and harrow to prepare the seed bed for the cover crop plots.

Tractor and harrow

Harrow

Harrow

Planting the Natural England plots 2010

Last year we used a seed drill to plant the plots. This year we used leg power ... well not mine. I got the coushy job of taking the photos. The second picture doesn't show too well but there is a spinning disc which rotates and then gives a fine mist of seed right across the seedbed. 

More spring flowers

Spring flowers

Clover in abundance

The clover plot is looking really well.

Spring flowers

Spring flowers in the woodland, anenomes, dog violets and primroses - just beautiful!

Wheat starting to grow

The wheat is starting to grow as the soil warms up

Testing soil compaction

We have bought a rather rudimentary soil compaction tester to see at what the level in the soil we have soil compaction and how this could affect root establishment and plant development

Plots continue to grow

As the cover crops grow - the impact of soil compaction can be seen as some plants are much shorter than others.

A week later

A week later and spring is here! Deja vu!