The milder weather has allowed us to make good progress on the maintainance of the Orchard. There was glorious sunshine on the 23rd February and we were able to continue with the winter pruning, weeding the forest garden and laying wood chip paths.
Many thanks to all 24 members who turned out to help and a big welcome to our new members. We also have to thank our three young members aged 2, 6 and 7 who helped to clear all of the branches created by the pruning!
We made a great start clearing the weeds from the forest garden area yesterday and unearthed a barrow load of potatoes, our first crop! They looked very edible. We also picked the last of the apples, a bit small but still tasty.
Now that the weeds are being cleared a we have a better view of the different levels has emerged. We should be able to put the paths in now and continue to weed and clear stones. We have a plan for the forest garden planting and will be able to start implement this soon.
We were delighted to welcome a family as new members. They made a great job of picking the remaining apples and pruning the blackberries.
Lanchester Community Orchard 