Well done once again to our excellent Sunday volunteers, who arrived yesterday morning for a spot of reed development work on the newly landscaped Phase 1. We are using a range of techniques to help reed establish on Phase 1 and the old silt lagoon 7, which compliments the rhizome spreading that our contractors did for us back in December last year.
Our young reed seedlings, grown in the polytunnel are being planted out and fenced off in order to protect them from goose and coot grazing. 15 wire ‘cages’ were installed yesterday, filled with a tray of seedlings per cage – a total of 1000.
Wire cage fencing is also installed around any natural reed growth that is coming up in the area. The rhizomes present in the soil have sprung into life in the last few weeks, with large areas producing some good reed growth. Again, these tender young shoots need protection from grazing birds.
The final method and the result of a great idea by volunteer Stuart Carlton, is using agricultural fleece (permeable plastic sheeting) to cover reed seeds sown on the ground near the water’s edge. The covering of fleece not only protects the germinating reeds from grazing, but recreates conditions similar to that in the polytunnel – increasing temperature and retaining damp atmosphere and soil. Just perfect for reed growth.
Once again, a big thank you to all who attended the day!