A bitter cold morning but the sun was out and the wind eventually dropped, it was a day of laughter, good humour and hands on learning for my class at Swanick Nature Reserve www.hwt.org.uk part of Hampshire & Isle of White Trust
All posts tagged gardening for wildlife
The Blue School – Wells
This is a raised level area bordered by two straight banks, there are several semi mature trees and a glasshouse. One bank has been scalloped to create a free flowing form, the other bank built up using gabions filled with local stone. The overall design uses very organic forms to detract from the large adjacent…
Low budget wildlife garden – Hampshire
I have just finished a project where the existing patio needed to be replaced and enlarged which required the lawn to be pushed back and retained by reusing existing railway sleepers. Borders were created around the lawn to detract from the long straight sides of the garden and to provide colour and interest throughout the…
The Blue School science resource garden – Wells
I am currently working on a garden at the Blue School in Wells, a small group of students have come up with their brief which is to be married with the requirements of a science resource garden. Features include a glass house, wildlife pond, a gabion retaining wall, herb beds, contoured land forms, seating, weather station, planting…
Low maintenance
In this raised front garden the lawn has been replaced with gravel and low maintenance planting to provide year round interest as well as a good source of pollen and nectar for insects. The lavander and catmint require clipping once a year, the neat mounds of lavander provide structure throughout the winter months whilst primulas…
Garden for bee keeper – Shepton Mallet
This garden has an outlook onto rolling Somerset hills and was commisioned by a bee keeper. Local stone was used to create a curved dry stone retaining wall, the planting was more formal (blues and purples) nearest the house merging to less formal dogwoods for winter colour and structure further away from the house. An emphasis on underplanting…
Sculpture trail
I spent one week working with pupils creating willow art work as well as working in the small copse in the school grounds. The projects involved hands on coppicing, making living hazel arches, willow flowers, large willow spiders and large willow fish. During a follow up week I helped on the project building a timber…
Working my wood
The third season of coppicing in my wood, the overstood hazel understory has been removed now I am felling the ash which was shading the woodland floor. I need to organise a work party to help carry all the ash logs out.
Hedge laying
With the help of volunteers, both experienced and learning, the hedge along the road was laid over three winters. Posts and binders were sourced from the hazel coppice within the wood.
Woodland wonders