It's not only us humans who are trying to keep the children fed and entertained at the moment. Our birds have been busy raising their young and at times the acre sounds like a very busy kindergarten! The first fledglings to emerge and make themselves known have been the robins and several now vie for tasty worms and bugs as we weed the beds. Adult birds are looking increasingly dishevelled and weary as they constantly hunt for food for those which haven't flown the nest, and spare a thought for the sparrows who might have up to four clutches in a year! I've written about our blackbirds before but they really are a favourite with their singing, territorial spats and sheer work rate. Not for them an early night curled up in a warm nest as they're still pecking through the earth at 9pm, searching for that last worm!
After several weeks of sunshine the inevitable downpours have come upon us. On the one hand it is good news as the acre was parched, especially the wildflower meadow, but it has meant that we haven't got all our plants in the ground yet. A quick look about our greenhouses, and on the benches and pallets outside, would suggest we have in the region of 500 plants yet to go in so a concerted effort will be required next week! However what has been planted is flourishing and many plants are now coming into flower, amongst them the Cosmos which will see us through the summer with their seemingly endless flow of colour. The cornflowers are also early flowerers and combine well with the bidens which too are coming into their own. The fruit trees and bushes look like they'll crop well this year and we've harvested some of our potatoes from the newly created patch in the secret garden.
We've been able to host Men in Sheds for the last few weeks when a partial easing of the lock down was announced. Keeping the numbers down, and strictly adhering to the guidelines, has allowed them to make good progress on the pond project and the first section of the decking infrastructure is now in place. A temporary pump has been added to the pond to circulate the water which will inhibit the growth of the blanket weed which has proved to be a real nuisance. More plants will be added this week and several bags of daphnia were released which will also help keep the pond healthy.
One of the team, Mervyn, has been sheltering during lockdown but has been incredibly industrious all the same. We delivered a down at heel dog kennel to him last week and his hedgehog creation is simply fantastic! Resplendent with it's "grass" roof this des res boasts several compartments and a viewing panel so that we can snoop upon the inhabitants from time to time. And what of Clive, the hedgehog that was found in the porch of the Old Vicarage? Well we hoped to move him into the new five star accommodation but he was either out at the time we came calling or has found a different place to bed down. Perhaps if he comes across the new hotel he'll take up residency and find a mate to spend some quality time with....
We've absolutely loved to see your projects from home. Chris and Di shared this truely spectacular new insect hotel - as seen on Air Bee n Bee! (image and joke both courtesy of Chris :) And Brendan is proving to be a professional farmer as pictures of his first crop show! Please keep your pictures coming in and send them to info@space2grow.space We've had lots of messages saying that seeing these home projects is bringing a lot of joy and helping everyone feel connected.
This coming Wednesday we hope to be welcoming Mayor Pat and her husband David to the acre at 10.30 am. It is a little dependent on the weather being fine but all being well they'll be able to see how well the pond project has progressed and see the acre for the first time in many months.
I hope it stops raining soon!
Corin