Widdybank Farm - Garden Project

November 18th - a cold, damp, snowy morning, and the intrepid: myself, Lynn and Anne (who now could be called the 'garden design crew') trudged from the Widdybank Farm gate to our Reserve base/office; Widdybank Farm. 

 

Emma (who is Moor House - Upper Teesdale's Reserve Warden, and our boss), suggested we brighten up the front of Widdybank Farm as we get many people passing by on the public footpath that runs through the farm yard, straight past Widdybank Farm.  It is also an opportunity to create a lovely little habitat and invaluable food source for  bumblebees, butterflies and other invertebrates.  

 

And so we developed a plan.

 

There are two big containers that we have suggested could be planted with herbs, marjoram, thyme, sage and a lovely lavender bush.  (The bees and butterflies will be delighted!).  We are hoping that the practical volunteers (are you listening John and Gordon?) will make us two 9-foot planters, to stand free on each side of the front door.  We propose that these are lined with heavy duty polythene, and have 2-foot uprights to which sheep-proof mesh can be secured!  Then a trellis attached to the back of them would persuade some sweet peas to climb and give a beautiful display on those sunny afternoons at Widdybank.

The planters could then be filled with good colourful plants, such as geraniums, marigolds, and antirrhinum - creating a minimal maintenance garden (unlike the Wynch Bridge End Cottage garden).  We also plan to build a bug hotel.  Everyone says this is easy but I know nothing about that sort of construction, so maybe some of our other volunteers will help with that.

 

We also have a good idea for when the garden is established - to consider leaving a full watering can out so that kindly passers-by could give the plants a drop of water over hot weekends, if they looked a little dry.  We could even be cheeky, and leave a trowel out too! You never know, someone might see a couple of weeds and feel the urge to pull them out.

So that's the plan.  We will need some help come March/April (depending on the weather!).  We will also need some plants too - strong ones, not seedlings, so that they have a chance to bloom this next season. Thank you practical volunteers, if you can help!

We ended our visit, eating our sandwiches and having a good old chat, in the warmth of the Widdybank Farm kitchen with Emma and Martin (the Senior Reserve Manager), who made us a lovely cup of coffee and shared their biscuits with us.

Watch this space for updates on the progress of the garden.

Jo Hayes - Volunteer

Anne, myself and Lynn