Items about flowers, flora etc.
Unlikely to be a true bog garden as you probably don't want to have to top up with water (precious resource) in the drier months. But can introduce plants that like damper conditions. I was thinking of this to be also bordering onto the woodland on the boggier edges of the main playing field.
Coppicing (cutting down smaller trees to ground level) is an integral part of managing woodland for biodiversity. It can help promote the growth of many species including primroses, bluebells, violets, snowdrops, lichens, mosses and fungi. This is because it creates years of light to the woodland floor followed by years of shade. as the new tree stems grow and set leaf. The arising wood can be used for dead hedges, woodpiles, den building, fences and tree or garden stakes.
The easiest method for creating a wildflower meadow is to raise the mower height to 5-7cm. This will allow species such as daisies, clover and speedwell to flourish. I would suggest this for broad borders to the main playing field along the two edges that give way to woodland.
A small group of us enjoyed a stroll at Ivel Springs where we shared the meadow with wild flowers, plenty of butterflies and four long-horned cattle.
No further outings will be organised until Spring 2019.
Seven of us had a wonderful stroll at Knocking Hoe reserve in June, organised by Lorna Whitaker. We saw many orchids among the wild flowers, and even a Brown Argus butterfly. No further outings currently planned.
Our final stroll on a fine October morning was on Oughtonhead Common, organised by Jean Latham.
There will be no further outings this year. A meeting will be convened in early March 2017 for members to discuss plans for visits in the warmer weather.
On Tuesday 20 September, Pat Rumpus organised a walk to Pegsdon Hills, followed by lunch at the Live and Let Live pub.
