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.

Lots of bugs

I have checked the trees they have established themselves well. I have also been inside the fencing and removed the weeds that have had grown. Some of the weeds are well over a meter is height and I will be doing this more often now. Its a slow job but its has to been done.I have seen a couple of trees are missing a branch or some leaves. Looks like the horses that are eating the tall grass like a varied diet and a couple of cherry tree leaves do the trick.
I have seen loads of bugs and insects, including spiders, ladybirds, snails, crickets, bumblebees, moths, butterflies and small frogs, bio-diversity or what.

The honey bees are doing well expanding on to more frames, which is good, I'm still feeding them.

I'm a little worried about the horses, I reckon they should be on the land for a couple of weeks, no more as they could really do some damage to the trees. Which is a worry.

On Saturday I was meant to attend an Orchard event in Bewdley on RESTORATION PRUNING OF TRADITIONAL ORCHARD TREES however I had to miss the event as my daughter starts her swimming classes and my wife was a work. The course would have been good, I am lead to belive people from Natural England would have been there. However the guy who was taking the course has sent me a link to his web site which is interesting. http://www.uncllys.co.uk/