Signs of Spring?

20180311_125759 After a very snowy start to Spring, the Orchard is just beginning to show signs of life emerging from the winter snow. A walk around the orchard showed that the moles were still very active.

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We also came across these intriguing channels in the ground which led to some small holes in the mud. If you have any idea which animal made them we would be very interested to hear from you.

The snowdrops have survived the cold but you can see from the photos that the ground is very waterlogged and this has hindered any workday plans we have. Pruning and digging will have to wait until the ground is firmer.20180311_125733 Hopefully the weather will continue to improve and we will soon be posting about the apple blossom.

 

 

Winter Time in the Orchard

It has been a snowy start to the New Year in the Orchard. Fortunately our last work day was on Saturday 24th February and we were able to begin the pruning and make more preperations for the seated area in the Forest Garden.

The trees and fruit bushes are still lying dormant waiting for the warmer spring weather. Even if we humans aren’t busy in the orchard there is plenty of evidence left by the wildlife who make the orchard their home.

The Forest Garden Seat

Work has now started on the grand construction of the Forest Garden Seat. Supported by funds from the County Durham Community Foundation, the orchard group are building a stone and wooden seating area in the lower forest garden so that members and visitors can sit and enjoy the lovely views. The project will take quite a few months but initial preparation of the ground has now begun.

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