After a well-deserved break over Christmas and New Year, the Muddy Fork team is hard at work again.
Gardening for wellbeing sometimes feels like a challenge in the cold, dark winter days but everyone always feels better for it afterwards! With the winter storms continuing unabated, the need for ongoing maintenance work has persisted, but the garden is now looking neat and tidy and ready for the new growing season, whatever the weather throws at it in the meantime.
The paths are currently walkable again, despite all the rain, thanks to ongoing support from JRS Tree Services, who have provided what feels like an inexhaustible supply of wood chippings. When the paths are ankle-deep in water it is amazing what a difference this makes.
New strawberry beds have been prepared and are ready for the summer – the existing plants were becoming unproductive due to their age and have now been replaced.
Planting plans are being devised and a further donation of seeds, courtesy of Sutton Seeds, who were equally generous last year, is a real boost. Although the garden is in theory as well fortified as Fort Knox, in practice nature will always find a way, so seedlings and plug plants are always vulnerable to mouse attacks. A case for these is currently under construction in the hope that this will provide some protection while the plants are very small.
Off site, it is pleasing that The Hive Storage and The Yoga Barn are now selling Muddy Fork honey and preserves, and the charity has also been pleased recently to welcome on board a new trustee.
To find out more, check out www.muddyfork.uk. To make a referral, offer your services as a volunteer or make a donation, you can contact Rose, Muddy Fork’s General Manager, at rose.muddyfork@outlook.com.