It might suit the hippos (though they’ve yet to be spotted on the nature reserve), but the mudbath at Muddy Fork, Retford’s Gardening for Wellbeing charity, has been presenting real challenges. Maybe the choice of name wasn’t such a good one after all, because as the growing season in theory progresses, the mud is making it hard to actually get growing in practice.
Some of the raised beds are totally saturated and attempts to dig just produce puddles of water. A few of them, however, have been planted and the broad beans look quite happy. Elsewhere even some of the weeds seem to have drowned, while an attempt at removing those which have survived prompted a volunteer to comment that it was time someone invented a non-stick trowel. The paths, after application of quantities of wood chip, occasionally start to feel firmer underfoot, but the next downpour, never far away, soon puts an end to that.
It’s not all completely bleak though. Spring is definitely making its mark. The marsh marigolds are brighter than ever, the blossom on the apple trees is cheering, and the best news of all is that the mouse-proof box has more than proved its worth in allowing seedlings to thrive. With warmer, drier weather forecast, the staff and volunteer at Muddy Fork can only hope that by the time you read this the site will have dried up enough for these seedlings to be planted out. In fact the site might even have turned into a desert and then the problem will be getting the watering done!
If you would like to find out more, check out Muddy Fork’s website, 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. Visitors to the garden are welcome and you might even keep your feet dry!