Orchard members have been tidying the Forest Garden so that we can plant more herbs for ground cover and hopefully discourage weeds from growing. A big thank you to Lynn who kindly grew hundreds of herb plants for us to carpet plant the cleared areas. These will be glorious once they are established and will attract wild life and pollinators.
So far we have planted chamomile, thyme, dill, parsley and carraway with more varieties to come.
We are once again taking part in No Mow May run by the Plantlife Charity. Not mowing your grass is one of the easiest ways of helping the environment. Letting wildflowers grow supports bees, butterflies and pollinators.
This year the pattern mown in the central square shows how many flowers can grow when left unmown. Even just leaving a small unmown patch in your garden can make all the difference.
We now have a new flag to fly in the orchard. Many thanks to Sonny and Lynn for creating our unique flag. The flag pole was created from a birch tree which needed removing from the orchard.
Despite the unseasonal cool weather, the orchard has been bathed in pink and white blossom. If you didn’t get a chance to visit there are still the wild flower meadows to see and wander through.
Why not indulge in some forest bathing as well. Bring a blanket or seat, choose a tree and sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds of the trees and birds!
Our Blossom Trail is back again this year. Signs are up around the village directing visitors to the Orchard. Everyone is welcome to walk around the beautiful orchard and enjoy the blossom!
Members of the Orchard switched off their lights and headed up to the Orchard on a cool, windy evening to celebrate Earth Hour. Millions of people around the world celebrate this every year, highlighting the awareness of climate change. Despite the cold, breezy weather, the sky was very clear and we were able to see stars and planets. An orchard member talked to us about what we could observe and we were able to see Jupiter’s moons via a telescope. Afterwards, coffee and biscuits were much welcomed.
Orchard members created a new dead hedge during our recent work morning. Dead hedging makes use of the sticks and branches from tree pruning and provides hiding places and nesting habitats for all sorts of creatures, as well as food for insects. They are quick and easy to make and leave little impact on the environment.
In 2025, The Nation Trust commissioned a YouGov poll to survey people’s response to nature and the outdoors. The poll found that ‘the majority of UK adults, 94%, feel happy when seeing blossom in bloom on trees or in hedgerows’ (Nation Trust press release March 2025)
This Spring, make yourself smile and pay a visit to the Community Orchard during the blossom season. Take your blanket or chair, sit under the trees and enjoy!
Watch out for the Blossom Trail notices on Newbiggen Lane.
Two cherry plum trees were recently planted, adding to the diverse range of fruit trees already thriving in the orchard. Members helped to plant the trees, one of which will replace the Plum tree lost in one of last year’s storms.
Despite the start of the year remaining cold and wet, our trees in the Orchard are starting to come alive again. The nut trees are starting to produce catkins. If you are passing the Orchard. pop in to see the nut trees. A good reminder that Spring is on it’s way.
Lanchester Community Orchard 