Preparing for new planting in the Park Lane hedge
Over the weekend of 12/13th October we started preparing for planting new saplings (‘whips’) in the Park Lane hedge at Long Meadow. This is part of a multi-year plan. This year we have two, possibly three sections where we will improve the hedge’s condition.
We have now erected a robust temporary fence alongside the first of these sections. This will protect the whips from accidental damage. It also allows us to work safely beside the foot and cycle path. We have also removed some bramble and ivy which in parts of the hedge had overwhelmed the hawthorn and other woody shrubs.
An amazing 25 volunteers turned out to help which made the exercise both sociable and extremely productive. Thank you!
The next stage will be to prepare the ground for planting, including removing the bramble roots as best we can. This will be followed by planting the whips. This will involve filling in any gaps and also adding additional rows of planting so to thicken the hedge.
We hope to make the planting session a family-based event.
A common question from passers-by was whether we were going to put a fence along the full length of the hedge. This is neither necessary nor desirable. We were also able to assure people that we will only be planting native species.
