AUGUST UPDATE | Gardeners Blog by our Head Gardener
This month’s subject is LAWNS! Some of you may say “boring” but the restoration of the East Lawn and the Conservatory lawn has proven an exciting and challenging project for the Garden team.
In 2019 the East Lawn was impassable. An assortment of trees, self sown saplings, brambles, weed and a tangled undergrowth prevented access to this area and it was fenced off.
A local contractor cleared the area and turf was laid over half the area. This is when the Garden team came into play. They raked the remaining area, removing stones, then seed was sown in November (too late for sowing I hear you chorus) – yes a chance was taken.
In 2020 the East Lawn received its first mowing and since then a regular maintenance programme has been followed. Two volunteers, using domestic model petrol mowers, mow an area 50 metres x 30 metres (1,500 sq metres) weekly during the growing season.
The Conservatory lawn was cleared and turfed by the volunteers. This is an area 20 metres x 7 metres (140 sq metres) which is again, hand mown.
Both these area are enjoyed by visitors, children playing, picnicing and dog walking (on leads) all take place here. Over the past few years thousands of feet have trodden on the grass which stays in remarkably good condition.
If you would like to take a look at our July update, head back to the news page.