1 Year On

The trees have been planted for one year, this week. It seems longer to me.I have been to see the Turner Landscape people, and have used the mower they are selling me. Its has been used for 40 hours, it has a digital clock on it that shows how many hours it has been used.Even second hand its expensive and costs the same as my car.

The trees are fine and even the new tree that I grafted in Limburg is doing well. I have to get it planted soon.

A theft on the land

I know I havn't updated the site recently, but here's what's been happening. After the trip to europe I have checked the trees I have some pruning to do. The grass is long and really needs cutting, this will be done soon.

I had a couple of large 50kg bags of wood chip which has been stolen off the land. I have reported it to the police and they tell me its probably travellers. Apprently a number of thefts have occured in the area, things have been stolen like fencing chains and things that can been taken easily.

I am not spending huge amounts of time on the land as its dark early, so I only have the weekends to check on the trees etc. I know I have lots to do its just finding the time.

One of the people that attended the training in europe has won a contract to plant 6ha's of hazelnuts. That's cool.

9th October - 22rd October Eucan Belgium Trip

From the 9th - 22nd October I was in mainland Europe looking at orchards, working on them and being taught how to maintain trees (Grafting and various Pruning). I did some bush cutting using skills I picked up a couple of weeks ago. I also looked at some of the products that can be produced from the fruits, juice and syrup etc.

We also visited Europom 2009 and helped on the RHS stand and various other bits that the organisers wanted done.

Its wasn't a jolly and we did work hard; we being 14 people from around the country many with specialist skills and knowledge. The boys shared a dorm and we cooked together etc it was like being at school again. I did enjoy it.

I have loads off pictures etc

Found a Lawnmower

I have been talking with lots of suppliers that sell lawnmowers. I think I have found a suitable lawnmower. A hustler Hydro Trimstar. It was recommended and suggests by the Deere sales man.
It is expensive and may me that the landrover is going to have to be on hold for a while. It is push mower not a ride on. I am still looking at alternatives.

We are going to have a demonstration in a couple of weeks, when I get back from Belgium.

I have also started the second dose of Apiguard.

Late update

Its been a couple of weeks since I updated the site. I can only apologise. I have been busy with more conventional work.
Anyway some of the leaves on the trees have started to turn brown. Thankfully no more horse incidents. The grass is still going and I have started investigating what tractor/mower to buy and what 4x4 we will buy to tow the mower. Probably an old land rover, and either a John Deere, Mount field or Atco Mower
I did have an incident with the bees mind. On one occasion I opened the hive and they stung me three times on my left hand and once on my right, within the space of 20 seconds.
I managed to get the sting out of the right hand and one of the stings out of the left however the poison from the two remaining stings on my left had made my hand swell up enormously. It was a good thing I managed to remove my wedding ring ASAP. I had a terrible burning sensation in my hand for 2 days and the swelling doubled the size of my hand. It was freaky. It took at least 3 days for the swelling to reduce enough for me to clench my fist again.
I spoke to the people at the Apiary meeting and they informed me at this time of the year bees are more likely to sting due to the colder weather and the fact that wasps and mice, badgers etc are likely to steal the honey.
I also attended a lecture on Honey and is uses with the medical areana. The talk was fascinating, it was by a woman called Sarah Davies. Who is a associated to the Warkwickshire Beekeepers association. The information she presented, was very informative, on what illness honey and bees wax can help treat. She also told us how and why honey is good for us, and the properties that it contains which make it useful.
I have requested a copy of the presentation and the notes. I have not heard if she is willing to give me a copy, she said she would think about it.
I have applied the Apiguard treatment for Varroa and am feeling sugar to the bees in much larger quantities.

Long Weekend in Dorset meeting people and visting Orchards

I have met lots of people that are interested in the environment and some with specific interests in Orchards. Some of the people on the preparation weekend I attended come from specialist backgrounds and work within the environment and conservation industries, many were volunteers that are far more knowledgeable and informed than me. Some were young and a number were mature but from what I could see they were committed to learning and the improvement of wildlife and the environment. The fact is that if people were more like many of those that attended, the environment may not be in the state it is.

It was nice to meet people who are interested in orchards, this includes 2 ladies who are trying to create lots of small orchards in London. "The London Orchard Project". I like the idea.
I have learnt how you use a bush cutter correctly. I have been using the Ryobi bush cutter incorrectly, and also I wasn't wearing the correct safety equipment. I have picked up safety equipment and will be buying more soon.

I also looked around various orchards in Dorset and visited a couple of Cider producers. All interesting and many have given me ideas and things to ponder. Should I use Copper Sulphate. Should I allow more people to visit, could the local community benefit from the orchard. I was thinking on have sheep on the land perhaps I should wait till the trees are more mature.
I also bought a couple of bits and pieces like Honey, Cider and a couple of books on Cider and Dorset Orchards.

Back at my orchard things are well. Not horses on the land mean no damage and the bees are still building foundation and I have started planning for the second hive.

What a Disaster

I checked on the trees last week and found that more had been nibbled by horses. I have informed the farmer and he, and his jockey have remove the horses. I have not check exactly how many trees have been damaged but most seem to have at least some minor damage.

I can't blame the horses it my fault and again another mistake has been made. I will have to put it down to learning, this one was due to me not wanting to buy a large ride on mower. I guess I will have to now. I still have some large portions of the orchard with long grass.

Much of the grass has been eaten or trampled by the horses; so I can't complain. It has rained heavily for a couple of days and this has also left muddy tracks where the horses seem to have a preference for walking on.

I have checked the bees etc, and they are doing fine. I have seen a number of wasps trying to get again. The bee group are suggesting blocking up the holes with masking tape, sticks and even grass. They have even suggestion making the enterance small enough for just one bee to get in and out at a time. similar to how they woould in the natural environment.