After much frustration and gnashing of teeth I've now decided NOT to re-sow the meadow this autumn after all! Although I've given the plot several fastiduous weedings, I'm not convinced the soil is clear of seed from the old turf, especially as we allowed the grasses to set seed these last two years running. Instead, we're going to leave it till next autumn. We could sow in the spring, but that would mean a lot of the wildflowers would escape the peroid of winter cold they need to germinate. So what we're going to do is to use the plot next year for a native annuals mix, giving us a colourful show, and lots of nector for foraging insects. Come late summer we'll pull out the spent plants and cultivate the border again ready for the grassland mix. Meadow's can take a couple of years to begin to show their true beauty, and so the urge has been to rush in quick. But with something like this it pays to be really patient and to do the job well.
Suesie and I have both endured heavy colds these last few days. Annoyingly, I'd spent the past few weeks diligently taking an autumn, virus-busting tonic made from simmered flax, fenugreek and fennel seeds which tastes ok, but feels like downing curdled frog's spawn. I'm not kicking myself though, we've been through some pretty massive life changes of late, so perhaps it's not surprising.
Eastbourne's first "Seedy Sunday" event was a huge success and we managed to pick up a few more native plants. Also, I had a chat with a meadow growing expert who told me it wasn't too late to sow. As a result, I bought one of his seed mixes and will hopefully be sowing our new meadow once energy returns. Tasks in the garden at present are mainly bird feeding and keeping the pond leaf-free. One of the joys of keeping a nature journal is being able to look back and compare the changes from previous years. This time last year, it was particularly mild and the pond was still alive with pond scaters. This year it's been a bit cooler and for the most part the pond looks empty of life save for the masses of weed and the odd snail chomping through. Yesterday though, I came face to face with this lovely bush cricket still enduring the November winds. Despite the understanding of the need for winter's rest, there's still an urge inside at this time of year, that wants to get out there and dig, or shape or tend! Oh for Spring! At the same time, there's a sense of anticipation; kind of a hum inside, that it's all just building away beneath ground, just as it needs to and a joy in the patience that gardening calls for. It's all just part of the process.
Lots of birds are busying themselves in and around the garden. Jackdaws and starlings of course, remain boisterous visitors, but we also get frequent visits from a whole mixture of other birds including; blackbirds, robins, great and blue tits, goldfinches, wrens, wood pigeans and collared doves, even the odd juvenile pied wagtail. This morning I also spotted a sparrowhawk fly overhead and a goldcrest flitting about in a neighbours conifer bush. The weather's turned increasingly cold and unsettled of late, yet Suesie and I have continued to be busy in the garden. The meadow area has been stripped of it's old turf, and we're leaving it fallow now, ready for re-sowing next spring. We've also put three nestboxes up and the bog garden has been fashioned anew, and now forms a much larger area behind the pond, ready for new plants next year. The area behind the willow pod has also been cleaned of weeds; a heavy job considering all the nettle roots. But now the ground has been cleared, we've been able to fill it with a richer mix of plants including; garlic mustard, wood avens, grape hyacinths and dog violets. With colder weather setting in thoughts turn to approaching festivities and plans for next year. One exciting thing we're looking forward to, is contributing to Eastbourne's first ever 'Seedy Sunday' event at Leaf Hall, Seaside, on the 18th November. We'll be manning our stall showcasing our wildlife garden, sharing our seeds and some of our craft work.
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