The Fence (part three)

"It does not matter how slow you go as long as you do not stop"

Confucius

Following on from last weekend when the weather put paid to any work on the fence the garden group have finally finished the new perimeter fence for the garden.  There is just the gate to do now and then we can return to gardening matters.  The fence has been an interesting if not unplanned build. Recycling the old fencing from the school swimming pool has presented a few challenges but the result has been worth it.

The removable section is finished

Tools of the trade

The new fence line towards the school

The new fence line towards the gates

In the bee nest box recent activity has been noticed with lots of new nest chambers and eggs laid amongst freshly gathered pollen- yellow in the pictures.

Recent activity

New chambers in the bee box

The bees are possibly Red Mason Bees- Osmia rufa -  but we will have to wait a while!  In the garden the same day  there were plenty of bees about including a new type for the garden. A female of the Coelioxys group was spotted. They are small black bees and difficult to get to grips with. Other bumble bees noted were Garden Bumblebee, Tree Bumblebee, Common Carder Bee, Buff tailed bumble bee and Red tailed Bumblebee.  The bees are attracted to the geranium 'Rozanne' which is now growing well.

The first Broad-bodied chaser (Libellula depressa) dragonfly of the year was noted and a damselfly which got away before we could identify it.

In the pond the vegetation is growing well and the stands of water figwort looks very impressive. The Yellow Flags are in flower but it is a shame that they do not last long.

'Rozanne'- a favourite for many bee species

The Yellow Flags

Echiums

We lost one of these magnificent flowering spikes in the recent wind but we have now propped up the last few remaining specimens in the hope that they will last well into the summer.

Trailing tomatoes in their new holders

Class 4T

Mrs Palmer's magnificent potato plot

There are a  few class plots still waiting to be planted up!

The Strawberry bed is looking good with plenty of strawberries now forming. The net will have to be positioned this week before the Blackbirds find them .  The Raspberry bed has been pruned and already the selected stems left  are making good progress with flower buds forming.

The Strawberry bed

With the fence finished work can focus on the garden again. There is much to be done.  The small garden group always welcome new members.  The work is enjoyable and rewarding. Should you be interested contact the school office