New Path

More good news... The path into the Wesc gardening area has been successfully completed! 

This has been a big project starting with our sponsor Open Work Foundation who put forward our gardening project for funding for the first phase of development.

We started off by clearing the area. 

Lifted the slabs from the old path.

Marked out and dug the path lines, added layers of hardcore, compacted and leveled it.

Then a landscape fabric is laid and finally the rubberised material is poured. 

We have run the path from the vegetable raised beds through the wild flower meadow in to the centre of the polytunnel area, accessing the greenhouse both polytunnels, raised bed and sheds.

Finally, John finished it off by opening up the railings.

The material we have chosen is made out of recycled tyres which is shredded to look like bark chippings, coloured then mixed a with a bonding agent.

The benefits are, you do not have to do extensive groundwork so there is minimal root disturbance, the material is flexible and will move if necessary, it is easy to maintain, minimal weeding is required and it is a smooth surface for people who use wheelchairs. They also provide a 15 year guarantee, value for money!

I would like to say a big thank you to Darren and his team from Rhino Play Limited they went beyond the call of duty and did an amazing job!

Wesc Bees

Good news... we are all set and ready for our first hive of honey bees. 

This summer I have been with Exeter Beekeeping Association completing a basic beekeeping course. 

As part of the course I have been working with my Mentor Geoff, what he doesn't know about bees is not worth knowing. 

We have learnt how to build frames, and use a smoker as well as how to handle the bees.

For the last so many months Geoff has been looking after our Queen at the Exeter Apiary on Honey lane and making sure we will have a happy and healthy hive.

At Wesc we have cleared an area in the woodland garden away from the school site and polytunnels.

 Put up a stand, bark chipped, crown lifted some of the lower branches to increase the sunlight and fenced of with rope.

I visited again last week and the Hive was well stocked, the brood was evenly formed from the centre out, and a healthy colour right across the foundation.

 Geoff has assured me that they are well fed and stocked. Activity wise they are starting to slow down  for winter, which is perfect when relocating. So fingers crossed we should be harvesting our first batch of Wesc honey in the new year.

I would just like to say a big thank you to everybody at Exeter Beekeeping Association in making this possible. 

NB: I would like to organise a presentation and Q&A for all staff/ interested parties. I have spoken to Basil from the EBKA and he would happily do this. Fingers crossed this will be next month.

Bearing Fruit

This time of year we are really benefiting from the fruits of our labour, everything in the raised beds and polytunnels are growing great guns!

The kitchen have been making good use of the vegetables, fruit and herbs. 

 Chillies are looking good and surprisingly hot!

Tomatoes are cropping really well if a little slow to ripen. The Basil is really tasty.

The Cucumbers, Squash and Courgettes are going strong.

The Salads and Onions are good, definitely benefiting from better spacing.

In the greenhouse the Aubergines and Watermelons are flowering a little later.

The Sweetcorn, Potatoes, Brassicas, Squashes and Runner Beans are producing loads for shelley's group to cook with.

The raised bed we repurposed is really taking off especially the Nasturtiums and Cosmos.

And the sunflowers loving the weather!!

Summer Holiday part two

Devon County Council managers lent a hand on site with a couple of projects in the Horticulture area.

The main project was to help transform our wildlife pond into a bog garden. 

This involved piercing the liner and slowly draining it. This was done over a week to allow the wildlife to relocate. First we added gravel for drainage.Then alternate layers of organic mulch, compost and topsoil.

Next we planted it out. The main focal point was the Gunnera Manicata and Acanthus Mollis. Then we interplanted with Iris sibirica and Ligularia.

 Also we planted out a border on the edge of the old pond area and planted with Epimedium, Acorus and Hostas which are typically more suited to dry shade. All using plants either grown by students (from seed, division or cuttings) or donated by friends of the project!

And bark chipped the whole area.

Finally, in the woodland area we put in a traditional rope fence for the bee hives.

It was a great day and everybody really got involved thank you DCC!

Summer Holidays

We have had a great couple of weeks with Devon County Council  and Exeter University both volunteering.

Exeter University spent the day at our new site at West Hill lending a hand with various projects starting with the woodland walk where they got stuck in clearing the space.

And then mulching the borders in preparation for planting.

Then we moved on tho the wildflower meadow where we have both top fruit and soft fruit growing. First we removed the old fencing around the top fruit.

Weeded the area and put in tree guards to protect from rabbits.

Then we moved the fruit cage from the soft fruit area as we will be re locating the growing area so we can expand the orchard in the meadow.

Thank you again to Exeter University there energy and enthusiasm is always really appreciated!