Another month has passed, and it’s still cold! However, the Muddy Fork team have welcomed any signs that spring may be on the way and have continued to look towards the future. The daffodils starting to flower on the bank and the blossom on some of the trees have helped lift the mood and brighten the garden, and planting activity is underway.
Early potatoes have gone in and are protected from frosts by layers of fleece to keep them warm. The new polytunnel now contains a selection of carefully labelled seed trays and pots, with peas and other crops hopefully resulting. The winter cabbages in the old polytunnel are not only surviving but growing bigger. Lists have been made, seed supplies checked, and shopping trips made.
Meanwhile the heavy-duty work continues. Efforts to flatten out the top of the bank, between the garden and the orchard, to improve ease of access for maintenance, have continued and have included strenuous activity on the nettle-bashing front. Yes – everyone knows nettles are good for wildlife but there’s a time and place…
Warmer weather should follow before too long now, and the days are certainly getting longer. Another month should see a significant increase in planting activity and with luck it will not be too long before the first radishes can be eaten!
Muddy Fork, based at the Idle Valley Nature Reserve in Retford, welcomes enquiries from anyone who might like to get involved in any way. More details of the gardening sessions and on how to get involved can be found at www.muddyfork.org – or email enquiries@muddyfork.org.