A Week on the Estate: Summer Sun, New Hedgerows & Community Gardening

We’re determined to reverse this trend. In 2019 and 2020, we planted 4km of hedgerow. We’re progressively replacing fencing with hedgerows that will serve as wildlife corridors, both hosting and spreading biodiversity.

We start a new hedgerow by laying a weed-suppressant mat, and a few weeks later we plant the hawthorn saplings that will form the core of the hedge. Each sapling is protected from hungry deer and sheep by a spiral until it’s established. Used canes and spirals are recovered and re-used on new plantings. The hornbeam pictured popping into the sunshine is part of a 350m section planted in conjunction with the Woodland Trust last year.

Within a decade, a typical hedgerow will have established itself and grown to around 12’ tall. It will brim with life and make a fine shelter for Lincoln Reds from our brisk easterly winds.  The species making up our hedgerows include hornbeam, hawthorn, blackthorn, field maple, hazel, common dogwood, dog rose and crab apple.

Closer to home, the Incredible Edible South Ormsby Community Garden is hosting a ‘Have a Grow Day’ next weekend, 5th & 6th June. We’ll be weeding and planting from 11am till 1pm on Saturday 5th, then staging a ‘Have a Grow Event Day’ from 1030am on Sunday 6th.

We’re also asking for donations of flowers, gardening tools, seeds, watering cans, saws, hammers and screwdrivers. To let us know you’re coming, to arrange a donation or to ask any questions, drop Nicky a line at nicky.coxon@southormsbyestate.co.uk. Join us and get your boots muddy and your fingers green.

Finally, don’t forget to tune in to our Facebook page at 8pm on Friday 4th June for a ‘Live with Tristan’ session featuring podcaster and gin aficionado Ben of Ginignite. Tristan and Ben have some exciting cocktails to showcase featuring Burrell’s Dry and Marie-Jeanne craft gins. Tristan will be looking dapper as he flies the flag for the Massingberd-Mundy Distillery in his new, branded hoody.