Demolition in the Garden

Well the last of the three original conifer trees was demolished this week. When we started to take them down eight years ago, we decided to keep the one, to use as a bird feeder. 

The birds have enjoyed it so much, especially being so close to their holly hedge. They flit between the feeders and the hedge, where they sit on the branches wiping their beaks .

If you look closely you can see a goldfinch looking back at you!

Totem Pole

It’s become known as the totem pole and we grew some winter jasmine up it, to make it look a bit more attractive. It’s done a good job, but we always knew that sooner or later it would have to come down.

This particular conifer was so close to the hedge, that when we cut the branches off it, there was a hole in the hedge where it had grown into it.

That hole still hasn’t fully greened up, which has meant a great entry point for the birds.

The down side of the feeders in the border, is that the birds drop so much seed, and there’s only so much Mr Pigeon can eat off the floor. The seed then germinates, and we end up with a carpet of grass all around the totem pole.

The last three weekends jobs have been, tidying the borders, cutting the holly hedge (rather late), and spreading bark clippings over the borders. It’s hard to believe how few weeds you get, if you mulch the soil.

Anyway as we started pulling the carpet of grass from around the totem pole we realised how it was starting to rot. The garden apprentice (My personal Mr Muscle) gave it a bit of a push and it moved rather more than we were happy with!

A quick chat decided that it was best to take it down now, than wait for it to blow over and potentially do damage later in the year. 

This was a shame as the jasmine was just coming out, but with everything around it starting to shoot, there would have been many more casualties later in the year.

Out came the power tools, and off we went. It came down very easily – well especially for me, as I was chief supervisor!

Space For New Plants

You’ll be glad to know that the jasmine survived and is now safely potted up, awaiting a new home.

The Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’ which was a bit too close to the path was moved further back, which means there’s now space for a few more plants… to be continued!

What About The Birds?

As for the birds, well at the moment we don’t have any bird feeders, but we may find a spot. But as we set out to make this a wildlife garden with no pesticides, there is plenty of natural food for them to eat. No sooner had we spread the bark, than the blackbirds were searching through it.

The fruit trees regularly have blue and great tits on them eating bugs. Jenny wren as regularly seen around the garden eating even smaller bugs.

And as the raised beds have no mulch on them, all sorts of birds are seen in them rooting around picking insects and worms out. So I’m not feeling too guilty!

Stay safe & happy gardening.