The sudden burst of wet weather following the very warm, dry spring has resulted in an explosion of nettles across the project plot, so today’s working party set out to pull those up and give the fruit trees and bushes of the mini-food-forest a bit more breathing space.

In the wetland area, it’s going to be a case of incremental management – thinning growth where one species is in danger of taking over. We took out a few of the willowherb plants as they are really soaring at the moment, helping give a bit more space to the Ragged Robin, one of the wetland plants that we put in earlier this year – and which is now flowering and looking beautiful amongst the buttercups and flowering grasses.

There were a good few nature spots too – a few frogs, bees, beetles, spiders and a Banded Demoiselle!

To find out more about any of these species, search the Wildlife Trusts’ excellent Wildlife Explorer website.

In the mini food forest, fruits are beginning to swell…

Thanks to Karen, Abdo, Derek and Janet for today’s working party.