Weather Forecast – Long Range
Sunny Intervals and a moderate breeze.
Tasks
As indicated in the Report of the last meeting of 18 April we are now focusing on the tasks associated with preparing the Fernery for the June 20th Open Garden evening.
Leaders will be on site from 9.30 am to open the shed and select tools that will be needed.
Weeding and strimming
The last few weeks of heavy rain have encouraged the weeds to leap out of the ground and this evening (15th May 2019) a small work party (Andrew, Harry and John) started the job of strimming the grassy banks at the Entrance, and the Lawn on the North Bank too.
This proved far more difficult than we anticipated because we have lost vital time keeping the weeds under control. We are likely to need to repeat this special work party until the grasses that Andrew sowed in 2017/18 are looking their best again.
As a direct result of the strimming exercise this evening, a task for Thursday will be to rake up the detritus.
Planting Bed – Weeding
This remains as a non-stop task for the Gardening Group.
Nettle Beds
If resources allow, we must continue trying to manage the nettle beds bordering the North East path and perimeter.
The WHBC have authorised us to spray weedkiller there, if we have to. But to be long term effective we should try to get the roots out of the ground as far as we can.
A final decision on nettle spraying has not yet been taken.
Watering
This remains a regular task as the need arises.
Visitors
We are expecting the metal detectorists to be on site.
Excavation Planning.
We are in the throes of agreeing dates with WHBC for Maydencroft to be on site again, and we will keep you updated on progress.
The tasks which we would like WHBC help with were outlined in last months Report.
Facebook Leader
Unfortunately Lucy Alexander has had to release herself from her close association with the FODF because, as we all know, she has chosen to undertake valuable work overseas with an International Charity. We all wish Lucy our thanks for the work and enthusiasm she always brought to the team, and offer her our best wishes.
We hope that Lucy will still be able to undertake work with us when she can, and she has been encouraged to join us at our elevenses breaks to keep herself up-to-date with our progress.
One direct outcome of Lucy’s lack of regular involvement with our work, has been that we are no longer presenting our work in the form of photos and brief explanations on our Facebook account. We therefore desperately seek a replacement so that we can maintain a high profile within the local community, and much wider too in the Fern world.
Please speak to John if you are prepared to take this role over from Lucy.
How to find the Fernery
If you have not visited us before you will be made very welcome. Please read the directions to find us.
Bring a hot drink and refreshments with you, and wear strong boots or shoes and good quality gardening gloves.
On arrival you will need to Register with us before you start work – for (WHBC) Insurance purposes.
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