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Post by Plocket on Nov 5, 2006 18:41:22 GMT
My parents have a piece of land that I guess is about 1/2 an acre. The track in the first photo goes from a wide gate (behind where I took the photo) and into their garden. It's usually overgrown with nettles and brambles, it's a haven for rabbits, and there are building foundations in the middle of the area making it difficult to level or dig. They made enquiries about planning permission but were told not to bother and it's too far from the house for them to consider having a vegetable plot. They have left it be for 5 years now and don't really know what to do with the land. I think it would make a lovely copice of trees, but have no idea whether this is possible or not, and how we would even start on such a project, bearing in mind there are so many brambles and nettles. So has anyone any sensible, practical, or down-right crazy ideas?    |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Nov 6, 2006 17:12:14 GMT
hi P... well, if you have access to a 'rough' mower to make the maintenance tolerable, I'd buy bare-root fruit trees of wide variety (cheap at the mo and just the right time 'til end December) and plan for an informal grassed orchard. Little P and Grandparents will enjoy alike as will wildlife and after the initial clearance - about 1m around each tree, and matting can take care of that - repeated mowing between will eventually leave you with just grass, because nothing much else tolerates repeated mowing.
It has the advantage over coppicing that the 'product' is more useful - but by all means add a few hazels for the nuts!!
OM.
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Post by Plocket on Nov 6, 2006 17:40:03 GMT
I've no idea what a "rough" mower is but I'm sure dad can borrow or rent one. They do already have an orchard but the trees are rather old and OH has asked whether M&D intend to plant new ones, so this could be the place! I'll let you know what they say, when I suggest it to them - they are on hols at the moment. Thanks Moley!
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Post by oldmoleskins on Nov 6, 2006 19:27:47 GMT
'rough mower'? a big old Hayter Condor or maybe a second best ride-on that will cope with the initial rough stuff and then be useful for establishing the grass...
OM.
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Post by 4pygmies on Nov 6, 2006 19:40:49 GMT
I think OM's ideas are spot on but if they already have an orchard, how about some different trees for it like Medlars, Walnuts, Hazels etc?? You could suggest a "heritage" orchard, with some special apples/pears/plums local to your area?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2006 21:30:36 GMT
get some pigs, they'll clear the plot, then have a fire.......... maybe have roast pork!   |
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Post by Juliet on Nov 6, 2006 22:34:34 GMT
Plocket - you could have a chat with Lord Steve about what he's going to be working on next week (am guessing you two are still in touch?) - it's a big plot & part of it is going to be native trees - so he might have some ideas/advice.
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Post by Plocket on Nov 7, 2006 9:22:56 GMT
Oh you've all got great ideas - I wonder if M&D could borrow some pigs? I don't think they'd want them permanently and they'd have to enclose the area more to keep them out of the garden, but I think the idea has potential Stezario.
And personally I really like the idea of a "heritage" orchard! There's certainly enough space to have perhaps an orchard and a copice. Dad's already got a sort of shrubbery going with some hazels but a proper little copice of them and other small trees might appeal. One of the trees on the left of the first photograph is a hazel and has produced lots of nuts this year - dad was thrilled!
And Juliet that's a brilliant idea - perhaps something Lord Steve can mull over for me and my folks.
Thank you all for your suggestions - I really do appreciate them.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2006 7:36:06 GMT
Plocket Perusing GW magazine this morning and I spotted an advert for Reads Nursery www.readsnursery.co.uk. It says they do "fruit trees with a difference" and they have a large collection of fruit - old and new - including peaches, apricots, quince, medlars, cobnuts, grapevines and fig trees ! I have no experience of them but I thought you might like to check them out. FA xx |
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Post by piggingardener on Nov 8, 2006 10:51:00 GMT
Hiya Plocket Perhaps your M&D might go for these piggies: www.britishkunekunepigsociety.co.uk/They come from New Zealand, don't get any bigger than 2 - 2.5 feet tall, are absolutely adorable, live on grass mostly and love human company. LP would absolutely love them!!! |
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Post by Plocket on Nov 8, 2006 14:45:56 GMT
Hia Piggin! What a lovely website, and what cute little piggies. Unfortunately I know for a fact that my parents will never get pigs - even really cute little ones. OH would love to have piggies but my parents don't want the responsibility of any animals (we suggested getting a goat or a donkey!), mostly because they go on holiday every year for at least four weeks and don't have anyone close they can entrust the animals with. I don't live close enough to help out either  Hia Andy! What a lovely site! I'll certainly send that link to M&D, but what's a Cestrum or a Epiphyllum??? |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2006 16:33:20 GMT
Plocket
I don't even know what a medlar is so I've got no hope with Cestrum or Epi-wotsits ;D
FA x
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Post by Plocket on Nov 8, 2006 16:57:45 GMT
An epi-whatsit is for removing hair from legs isn't it? |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 8, 2006 17:03:30 GMT
I thought that was a flymo for some women.....
FA x
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Post by lottielady on Nov 8, 2006 17:08:03 GMT
Just Susie FA - ....just Susie.....  LL x |
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Post by Plocket on Nov 8, 2006 17:18:34 GMT
GASP!!!!! FA!!!!! PML LL!!!!! ;D |
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Post by Dutchy on Nov 8, 2006 17:39:17 GMT
Oh dear at it again eh Anyhow do let them get a Walnut tree. Apple pie with walnuts in is so yummie. ( They already have some apple trees don't they? ) And perhaps some of those elderberry ( I think that is the right word) shrubs, the ones you can make lemonade from the flowers and later on perhaps something stronger from the berries. Oh and a spot to dump the garden rough bits that won't go on the compost. It keeps the hedgehogs and other wildlife happy and keeps the rest of the garden"clean". |
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Post by Plocket on Nov 8, 2006 17:42:51 GMT
Lovely ideas Dutchy - thank you very much. I don't think they need to worry about wildlife because they are in the middle of no-where - there are rabbits, a badger track though they've not seen anything, and probably lots more. I've just remembered that they might have to clear one area that is very boggy, and they've a mind to have another pond there. They've got a drainage stream running down the left of the first photo too so hopefully it's a bit of a wildlife haven already. I just hope that any work they do decide on won't put off the wildlife that they already have.
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