Dead Hedges

 

The wind is pummelling the gardens.    The 1st February 2022 three major storms – Arwen, Malik and Corrie.   In the midst of November 2021 we were without electricity for 4 ½ days.

Snow has twice covered the soil.   

Yet through January 2022 the land has seen little rain.

Strange weather patterns, strange times.



 Andy Goldsworthy: Woodland Branch Arch

I have been experimenting.     Inspired by landscapers and artist, Andy Goldsworthy, I have dragged branches through the garden into the field on a brilliant blue plastic sheet and woven them together to create “dry hedges”.    Shelter belts for insects and animals.



  Nigel Dunnet - Woven Branch Circle

Pruning has taken priority – roses, deciduous shrubs but not evergreen, I will leave these until May.

The cuttings have always been a problem.    In the past I have had massive bonfires but lessons learnt at Newton Rigg College have encouraged me to be more resourceful with the remnants of my pruning.

This winter I have been carrying out Formative Pruning – clearing the stems of lower branches of trees and shrubs to give existing plants rooms to grow, creating space beneath for planting.    It is always better to use a pair of secateurs early in a tree or shrubs life than to have to use a handsaw later.   Cuts are smaller, wounds heal quickly, scarring is minimised and infection risk is reduced.   I have been removing just one third of the branches.

At the same time as Formative Pruning shrubs I have removed dead, diseased and damaged wood, checked tree ties and stabilised stakes.     The end result - many branches, twigs and logs that create extraordinary material for “dead hedges”.



         Nigel Dunnet - Log Hedges

Amongst my shrubs and trees the snowdrops are emerging, poking their white heads above the earth, nodding in the breeze.     The white bell shaped flowers, with smooth dull, green narrow leaves are the first sign that spring is on the way.    

The scientific name for snowdrops is Galanthus – milk flower.    Collectors of snowdrops are known as Galanthophiles.   Margaret and David Maclennan have more than 1500 species in their nursery in Carlisle, Cumbria.

Now that I have raised the canopy of my trees and hedges there is more light so more snowdrops to welcome us into February.     

 

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