Buckingham Woodland Garden
Buckingham Woodland Garden
Started by John, Paul, Kate, Louise, Steve, Ruth, Maria, Ingrid, Ed, James to enhance the well-being and beauty of the community by local people growing edible and useful plants in a natural and sustainable way, increasing social interaction in the community, and creating an educational relaxing garden in an attractive setting.
|
The work we did on the concept 8 Oct 2013. The marks in the margin are the priority given by all the people there. Please feel free to add any others additions to the concept as a new reply. It is still work in progress.
The original size I put in the proposal in Jan 2013 was 300 square meters. So I called Gareth Bird today, after I sent the email to him, bemoaning the fact that we have started with such a small patch. He could not give a fixed figure for the size, but this is what he said:
That the concept has now changed from a rigid 'garden' to one where our design should flow with the park. In other words it should become part of the park rather than something rectangular stuck in the middle, sticking out like a sore thumb. He talked about different areas of the forest garden, how they are designed, and how they will be identified and designed.
He would like to see this idea be one where we work together more with the council, rather than being seem to be separate. Maybe work with the council and we become volunteers to work with the council, involving Matt Dodds (council biodiversity officer) more directly. I think he also means in the design. For me, I think this is a very welcome move, as it then becomes a project that is more of a joint effort and responsibility.
Gareth also said that before the financial crunch, that the council had a proposal to develop orchards through the whole of the Aylesbury Vale area. Those plans were victim to the cuts, but they see this as reinvigorating those ideas. If this works, then they can use this as a model for other areas.
The council would be able to support any funding application that we may have. I said that we have no experience in this area, and that we would welcome support in this.
Replies
That the concept has now changed from a rigid 'garden' to one where our design should flow with the park. In other words it should become part of the park rather than something rectangular stuck in the middle, sticking out like a sore thumb. He talked about different areas of the forest garden, how they are designed, and how they will be identified and designed.
He would like to see this idea be one where we work together more with the council, rather than being seem to be separate. Maybe work with the council and we become volunteers to work with the council, involving Matt Dodds (council biodiversity officer) more directly. I think he also means in the design. For me, I think this is a very welcome move, as it then becomes a project that is more of a joint effort and responsibility.
Gareth also said that before the financial crunch, that the council had a proposal to develop orchards through the whole of the Aylesbury Vale area. Those plans were victim to the cuts, but they see this as reinvigorating those ideas. If this works, then they can use this as a model for other areas.
The council would be able to support any funding application that we may have. I said that we have no experience in this area, and that we would welcome support in this.
Replies
Posted by john m Oct 2nd 2013Having had several discussions with people and with Mandy, it seems we have come to a conclusion that:
- We dont need to do everything in the garden at once. We can focus on the main canopy trees first, and plant them this winter.
- We need to decide what trees, and where they are going to go.
- It seems that, as this garden is in the center of Buckingham and its in parkland, this will drive the concept of the garden. We have not listed down clearly what we want to the garden to be like, and we need to get together to sort this out.
- It also seems that none of us, collectively, are confident enough to design the garden. If we get enough funding, we should employ an appropriate designer to help us out.
So, if this is where we are, then we need to contact a designer asap. Mandy suggested Patrick Whitefield (who wrote a book). But it now seems more appropriate to ask Claire White. She is a designer and a lecturer on permaculture courses. Here is a link to her website. http://www.clairewhitegardens.co.uk/
So, before we do that, we need to get together to understand our overall concept, the size of the garden, and overall ideas of what we want.
Reply
Posted by john m Oct 6th 2013Correspondence with Claire White about designing the garden.
Hi Caire,
Thanks for your reply. Here are some more details of the area:
- Its located on a flood plain, with no previous history of human use. The soil is clay, rich with other material. The clay content is probably just over 50%. We did not do a ph test because we thought there was no need to for this area.
- As its in a flood plain, it sometimes gets flooded for up to two weeks. This happens once every few years, when its a very wet year. Its by a river.
In the next few days we hope to have some dimensions of the area. The land is council land, and I think they dont mind how much space we take up, as long as its still a park and accessible, etc.
There are clumps of trees that contain willow, that give quite some shade, and I am hoping the council will consider thinning and coppicing them, so we have more light from the south. In the pic I attach, north is sort of upwards. There is an attempt at a bmx track on the right, that has not been used. We might be able to use that one day. We envisage that the work this year is to design, and then plant a core part of the garden with canopy trees. Then take the boundary of the garden further next year, and work on the other levels of the garden. The feint square areas are the places that receive the most sun. The egg shaped thing to the right is a scrape that fills with water in the winter. The land is very flat.
Yes, please let me know your expected fees. We areapplying for funds from grants and others, and have managed to collect something already. I would suggest a good place to start getting more info from us is to look at our website, where we have put some of our knowledge so far. Mandy from Redfield is helping us, but we want the garden to be welcoming, interesting, educational, and maybe have different parts to it. Its all because it is in such a prominent position. There does not seem to be rabbits around.
Do you need lots of notice before you can turn up? I think we might be ready to have a chat with you and for you to visit in two weeks time.
regards,
John Mortimer
On 2 Oct 2013, at 20:20, Claire White wrote:
Hello John
Thank you for your email, your project sounds really interesting, I am defiantly interested in meeting you and supporting the design stage.
I am I have a few days that are difficult to rearrange, they are Tuesdays and Fridays but I am able to meet you on other days and weekends.
You probably already know this but here are some things to think about at the beginning of a project:
taking lots of pictures of the site, looking at its history, reading the pH, research how traditional local fruit trees are baring up to a changing climate.
What energies effect the site from out side the boundaries?
What yields do you want from the design? how much time do people have to maintain it over the first 3 years.
Let me know when you have any dates in mind. I suppose we should talk about fees & expenses,
best wishes
Claire
On 2 October 2013 14:36, John Mortimer <[email protected]> wrote:
Hi Clare,
I was given your name by Mandy Burton from Redfield. We are a Transition group in nearby Buckingham, and we are in the process of developing a forest garden. We are looking for someone to help us with the design and I understand Mandy has mentioned something about that to you already.
Well, it seems we have been allocated some funding from the council, and so we are now able to request someone like yourself to help us. We seem to have left things a little late, but we are in the process now of wanting to get to the point of understanding what trees do we need and how many, so that we can take things further with our tree supplier. Also, we have little idea about the design of the garden.
I would like to ask you if you are willing to get involved with our project. We are now in a position to develop a concept of what we want, then pass that onto you. Then you could help us develop a more detailed design, and a list of trees/ plants that we need to buy this winter. We think we will have a concept sorted in two weeks, will be ready for your help after that. We would imagine that you will need to visit us here and talk to us all.
My contact details are: email: [email protected] Tel: 01280 817438
We have a website with some details aboutt he project here http://buckinghamtransition.co.uk/community-garden.htm
None of us have done anything like this before, so any advice from you about our process is welcome!
Posted by john m Nov 18th 2013
This is what I sent to Claire after her last visit on the 12th of November 2013. John
I just want to confirm the discussion we had today with a summary. Could you please reply if I have missed anything.
1. Lets take what the group have generally fed back based on the concept design;
a. varied planting which might mean open and less open spaces, and distinct parts to the woodland.
b. some type of focused area in the centre, where paths meet. Maybe it could become a seating area.
c. inviting entrances to the woodland.
d. to fit in with the surrounding area, including the scrape.
e. a place that is pleasant to be in, and looks attractive.
f. interesting and varies nutritious plants, if they can tell a story as well all the better.
2. Although the design will focus on the whole area, We have to work on one part at a time, and we only have agreement to use the area within the rectangle for this year. We want to pace ourselves so we do not stretch our time and effort.
3. We are initially planting the canopy trees. However, we might also have some time to plant some shrubs and ground cover in 2014. The idea is that we slowly plant shrubs and ground cover over the next four years, as we can spend the time and the funds that we have.
4. We will discuss with the council if we want to do anything outside the rectangle. Ideas so far are:
a. The council will continue to mow the grass between our trees. their smallest mower can cut width of just over 2m.
b. The council will cut down some willow branches that are in danger of falling. These will be chopped up and left onsite for us to use.
c. We can dig out the scrape and ditch so that they will maintain their function, and we can have some organic material for tumping.
d. This might mean that we do not consider a wind break close to the river this year, as it lies outside the rectangle.
e. We need to work out how and if we pollard. It will probably involve power tools and ladders.
5. Claire will come up with a complete design including shrubs and anything else that is appropriate to put into the design at this stage. We as a group will comment on this and refer back for adjustment. We hope to ask Claire back to better understand the reasons for the planting and design methods. This design will be based on what we need to plant over the coming several years. Although the plan will be done before christmas, it can and will change based on what we decide is best over that time.
6. We as a group need to feedback to Claire as to preferences for shrubs.
7. We have got access to conservation volunteers, but we need to book them by the day. Cost £120/ day.
8. We need to cleaer the scrape of willow.
9. Claire has decided that the area we have is not actually typical 'wetland.' It is flood plain, that sometimes floods. The area around and past the scrape is partially wetland.
10. The woodland will need looking after (maintenance). An example is clearing weeds. The design is to incorporate plants and layout the reduces maintenance. For instance, comfrey is great for nitrogen fixing, but needs cutting back several times a year. Some varieties are less invasive, and other plants can be used that are similar injunction, but less labour intensive.
11. Claire suggests we buy 'standard' size trees to plant now.
12. Trees should be planted on a 'tump' raised area around the roots. This might be 30cm in height if we can find the right compost to put onto it.
13. Claire you will invoice the amount she has accrued helping us so far, after the design has been submitted. However, her involvement is to be ongoing after this time. We need to secure additional funding to ensure this.
Many thanks for the drawings and sending the pdf leaflet, I think its great!
Reply
Posted by john m Dec 20th 2013Dec 19 session taking Barry Smith, Stowe head gardener to the site. Points written down:
1. It is good that the scrape is not filled with water permanently as this prevents crayfish.
2. Need to dig out scrape now and again.
3. Maybe the area is good for bats. Consider a bat box.
4. You could have popular areas as well as areas of solitude.
5. Perhaps make a suggestion of something round the corner, maybe plant a tree with the hint of something behind.
6. Consider a hard path and a grass path next to each other.
7. You could pollard into an arch. And use pollarding to generate branches for fences.
8. Blackberries need linght, might be good for a hedgerow.
9. Maybe the different segments are different and have different habitats?
10. Think about play areas for children?
11. Maybe use matrix in the ground to keep grass paths robust.
12. Maybe use stepping stones from slices of trunks.
13. Work with the Environment agency to work on the vision for the area.
Present: Paul, Ingrid, John, Ed, Steven (video)
|
|
See Some Examples
|
|
|