The hay meadows in the orchard are usually cut by hand using the traditional technique of scything. This year, one of our orchard members kindly stepped in to cut part of the grass full of nettles and thistles. Being a member of the Vintage Tractor Club, he brought along his 1956 Ferguson tractor along with a Mayfield grass cutter from the 1950s. Together, they made an easy job of cutting the nettles and thistles.
During the last two years, we have been planting more wild flowers to increase their diversity in the orchard. We are now seeing the results of this effort by the growing number of different species being spotted in the hay meadows around the trees and the ditches on the edge of the orchard. It was pleasing to see that the wild flower plugs planted earlier in the year by the Brownies have also begun to grow. Click on the pictures below for the wild flower names.
Our workday on July 7th was very productive. Grass was cut, weeds pulled and all of the cordons and espaliers were pruned. Our coffee break included cream scones with strawberries freshly picked from the orchard strawberry beds.
Thursday 14th June brought some very windy weather. Fortunately the orchard suffered very little damage, and most of the fruit remained on the trees. The only damage was to a plum tree on the far side of the orchard beside the ditch. Two branches laden with fruit were brought down by the gales. The split was tidied up and no doubt the tree will not suffer any permanent damage.
Lanchester Community Orchard 