Seed bed up and running

Another leap forward in the Rare Seed Orchard at the Forktree Project.

A big team effort today saw the first of our irrigated seed production beds planted with native saplings provided by ecological retoration charity Seeding Natives. In time, all these beds will be filled with a range of native grass species with a view to producing grass seed in volume, so that The Forktree Project can assist in the restoration of native grass cover in this region.

How exciting to see the plants in position after the long process of preparing the seed production beds. See previous blog posts “Preparing the Canvas”, “Pipe Dream” and “Weather Wall” for earlier stages of the prep work.

And today, the final steps in the process -

Step 1: burn holes in the weed mat ready for planting;

Step 2: plant the saplings;

Step 3: water them in;

Step 4: stand back and admire!

Many thanks as ever to Seeding Native for their expertise, and to volunteers Ralph, Pete, Joe and Taher for their sterling efforts. You are all legends.