One of the Wildlife Trusts aims is to educate lots of people about the importance of wildflower meadows.

With this in mind, Emma Pereira, Development Officer for the Hampshire Wildlife Trust, approached us with regard to hosting an open day for some of their Wildlife Investors, here at Ashe Warren Farm. It seemed quite appropriate for us to host the event for them, due to the fact that we were the first to produce a soil-less Wildflower Turf and as a result, we have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and expertise over the years. But aside from that, we were proud to help promote the importance of wildflower meadows.

First stop - James explaining the production of Wildflower Turf

Thankfully the rain held off, allowing everyone to enjoy the fresh air and lovely sounds of Lapwings, Skylarks and Kestrels which decided to all make themselves known during the tour!

A gentle stroll to the next site

A captured audience!

We installed the turf around the lake 4 years ago...

...it looks amazing when in full bloom

James explains how the irrigation systems works...

We also operate as an arable farm. Here we are growing organic grass and red clover for seed

Our roof turf on the stable roof

A walk through the on site wildflower meadow!

And finally the meadow that has fruit trees happily growing within it

We had a very positive feedback and Emma commented. ‘Just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for hosting yesterday’s event. It was a real hit, and it was definitely worthwhile for all involved!’

Thanks Emma we were glad we could help!

Scott Tranmer a teacher at the school who has been organising the show garden, has been in contact with us today, to tell us that they have received good news from the RHS judges. The school show garden achieved a highly commended and narrowly missed out on best in school show by 1 point!  However that is still a fantastic result especially considering that it was their first show.

Additionally the show garden was also judged by the CPRE (campaign to protect rural England) with Chris Beardshaw presenting the awards.  For this Castlemorton Primary School came a very commendable 3rd out of 14.
The show garden was judged on not only on its quality, but how they linked all of the work within their school curriculum.

Scott commented that, ‘Chris Beardshaw thought our garden was great, and that he also used Wildflower Turf Limited as the suppliers for his turf’!

There may also be the chance that the garden will get some film time on Gardeners World this Friday. There is no guarantee that it will, but according to Scott, although they filmed a lot of gardens, they did spend a long time filming the school show garden….so you never know our turf could be on Gardeners World!

We have supplied many clients with our Wildflower Turf for Chelsea, and other prestigious flower shows over the years, so we were happy to help Scott where we could.
We have always advised previous clients to take the turf early, so that they can bring it on in a poly tunnel. This allows careful management of the turf ensuring that the client has complete control over the turf.  This also ensures that the anticipated results are achieved, in order to meet the desired brief.  Some clients also add plug plants to the turf, for that extra show of colour and diversity.

Additionally it is also a good idea to create some form of tray or carrier for the turf to grow in.  This allows the turf to be transported flat to the show grounds when the time comes, with minimal disturbance. This is also logistically the easiest and cheapest option available.

With this in mind Scott along with the children and some willing parents from Castlemorton Primary School, went about creating their own wooden trays for each roll to sit in.  They also built a makeshift poly tunnel on the school playground.

Completed poly tunnel

The turf arrived on the 7th March 2012, where it was emerging from its winter dormancy

Over the Easer holidays the covering on the poly tunnel was removed, as the weather was mild enough. This allowed the turf some fresh air! We advised putting the covers back on after the Easter break as it was still cold, and growth would be slow with anything outside.

Showing the turf during Easter - you can see how the turf has grown

The turf looks very comfortable!

We all thought that the poly tunnel looked really good, and clearly worked very well.

The finished show garden…
The show garden is being judged by the RHS and the Campaign to Protect Rural England on Thursday 10th May.  Fingers crossed Scott and his team get a great result!

Magical Garden 2012

Scott Tranmer  said that ‘the whole garden looks fabulous and the Wildflower Turf has attracted so much attention from everyone that has been on site’.

It is magnificent that so many people are interested in the Wildflower Turf…. and that’s even before the show has even started!! What a compliment, which is great!

Scott also commented that the professional gardeners are really admiring it with envy! The Ragged Robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi) is looking wonderful and there is also a significant show of Red Campion (Silene dioica) too.  One or two other plants are slowly starting to emerge, which is impressive considering how cool the temperature is at the moment.

Ragged Robbin adds a splash of colour

Scott is planning for the turf to go back to the school to finish off their wildflower meadow which was started last year with his year 2 group. This is great news because it means that at least the Wildflower Turf gets the chance to bloom for the rest of the season, and for continuous seasons to come.

Scott very kindly said ‘Thank you for this wonderful turf.’

From all of us at Wildflower Turf Limited, you are welcome and best of luck for the judging tomorrow.

Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)

Understandably farmers reject the accusations that they seem to attract, that  modern agricultural methods are the cause of the decline in biodiversity. The main question that seems to get thrown at them is, are they doing enough to encourage biodiversity or should they being doing more? Most farmers believe that they are doing what they can and take their environmental responsibilities quite seriously.

Most people are aware of the schemes for set-aside. The industry led Campaign for the Farmed Environment has a clear objective. To retain and exceed the environmental benefits provided by set-aside. The Campaign is supported by organisations from across the industry, a wide partnership that recognises the importance of managing the farmed environment voluntarily.

They are emphasising that by 2012 this voluntary approach needs to work, otherwise regulation will be put in place. This is of course will effectively result in more red tape, therefore expense for everyone. The Farmed Environment campaign is adamant in showing that farmers are willing and able to retain and exceed environmental benefits provided by these set-aside schemes.

So what are the benefits of set-aside?
In general it is accepted that margins of three to six metres uncropped will encourage rare arable plants to reappear.
Arable fields potentially provide the perfect habitat for some of the rarest species of plants throughout the UK. More specifically it is commonplace to find these plants near field edges, corners and gateways that have managed to evade herbicide application.  This has provided the correct opportunities for the plants to be able to survive. The seeds of arable plants can lie dormant for years, so even if there are none present on your farm, this doesn’t mean they are not there.

Research has revealed that uncropped cultivated margins are one of the most beneficial methods for supporting rare plants. Finding uncommon plants in arable fields can be a good indication that rarer plants may be present. These could include dwarf spurge (Euphorbia exigua) and small toadflax (Chaenorhinum minus).

Wildlife requires a balanced approach in order to safeguard a variety of habitats. If these habitats can be connected through wildlife corridors then they become even more beneficial, by simply helping to counteract the fragmentation effect. Pollinators can be encouraged by establishing a network of flower rich habitats and amphibians and small mammals benefit from buffering and protecting water on your land.

Here at Ashe Warren farm we have wildlife margins, hedgerows, a man-made lake, and ample nest boxes. We have Barn Owls, Kites, as well as Kestrels here on the farm. These species are top of the predator chain, and from an ecological view-point, if the predators are thriving the rest of the chain must be doing well. We have ample Lapwings and Skylarks too. We work closely with the Hawk Conservancy Trust and the RSPB who visit us to carry out important surveys and to check the nest boxes. Last year we had success with Barn Owl chicks and Kestrel chicks, lets hope we have a repeat performance this year too!

Kestrel chick 2011

Just a thought… Wildlife not just within farmlands, but within urban environments, needs a helping hand if it is to survive and hopefully thrive. The first stage is awareness, followed by a willingness to take action. How about ‘set-aside’ areas within domestic gardens?  This could be achieved though ‘setting-aside’ an area to create a wildflower meadow. An even simpler method would be to allow a small area within the garden to become over grown and wild, which is left undisturbed. An area like this will attract wildlife by providing both food and shelter.

We were approached by Emily Boswell from Wild Flower Garden Design, who has been working with Friends of the Earth on the campaign, with regard to donating some of our Wildflower Turf, which we were more than happy to do as supporters of the cause.

Emily sent us this lovely email. ‘Just wanted to say a massive thank you for the extra flowering turf you sent along, it all got used on the garden and looked fantastic. There was a huge amount of people enquiring about it. It’s now been adopted by the wildlife Trust so is continuing its tour of London’!

The campaign so far…
Friends of the Earth campaigners deliver to No. 10 their petition for an inquiry into the Big Six.

Bee Cause petition

Friends of the Earth created a wildflower meadow adjacent to the National Theatre in London, to highlight the need for more bee-friendly habitats.

The display at the Royal Theatre

They gave the flowers away to passers-by which was used to create the display, in the hope that it would encourage the use of wildflowers in people’s gardens, which will help bees to thrive.

Our Wildflower Turf!

Even busy bees need a rest!

Education, education, education, is vital for now and our future generations

There was a lot of TV coverage with the campaign being reported by Daybreak TV, BBC & London Tonight.

Friends of the Earth highlighted the economic benefits of British bees at Canary Wharf, where Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg was delivering a speech on a green economy.

The Bee Cause at Canary Wharf

Did you know: It would cost the UK £1.8 billion every year to hand-pollinate crops without bees – according to new research launched today.

Paul de Zylva, Nature Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said: “Unless we halt the decline in British bees our farmers will have to rely on hand-pollination, sending food prices rocketing. (sourced from FarmingUK.com)

Quite simply we need bees!

To show your support please visit www.foe.co.uk/bees it only takes a few seconds!

All photos used with kind permission from Friends of the Earth.

A natural island which was in keeping with the proportion of the pond was also recommended. This proved to be quite a challenge, as the area of the island covered many different levels of ground. Keeping the soil in place on the islands proved to be an additional challenge, but Dean Rural Services devised a method illustrated in the pictures below to counteract this issue.

Construction of the islands

Almost completed

rendering of the planters

filling the island with soil to provide a substrate for the roots

The hessian has now been covered in soil to create a substrate for the plants

The original soil from the pond was ideal to create a sticky surface for the turf to be laid onto

There was already an existing wildflower meadow at the far end of the pond where an abundance of snake’s head fritillary and other species were already established.  David Plunton from Dean Rural Services decided to extend the meadow right down to the water’s edge, using our Wildflower Turf. Additionally he wanted to carry the wildflower meadow theme along both banks, also using it to top off an island, which was to be created within the pond. Having gone with our system previously David was keen to use our Wildflower Turf so that he could be confident that the meadow would be in flower for the coming Spring and Summer.

Preparation for the turf

Wildflower Turf is now being laid to surround the pond edge

Completed pond with meadow

The pond and meadow provide a perfect wildlife habitat and has major aesthetic qualities

Even before the pond had been filled with water, a moorhen had started taking nesting material into the clump of rushes that had been planted on the island! This highlights the need for naturalised or wild areas to be constructed within a garden scheme and how beneficial to wildlife it will be.

The small colony of common British  ‘Buff-tailed Bumblebee’ (Bombus terrestris ssp. audax) that were at Ecobuild with us at our stand last week, have set up residence here outside of our office, where they have access to a substantial patch of our Wildflower Turf.

They were the main attraction on our stand along with our Wildflower Turf. After they did such a good job of attracting people to the stand for us we have decided to let them stay here on the farm, and leave them in peace so that they can go about their daily routine collecting nectar.

The bee hive is just visible in the bottom left corner

They are also free to leave if they so desire, but obviously are happy here, as they have stayed where they are!

The bees are free to come and go as they please!

James has been making sure that they are supplied with plenty of pollen just to get them going while they wait for the flowers to emerge in our Wildflower Turf.

Once the lid was carefully lifted you could hear all of the colony buzzing really loudly! Handle with care is definitely a must for this bit!

Getting ready to feed the bees!

The pollen goes in a dedicated feeding tray

This shows the feeding tray quite clearly

James presented his seminar over two separate days and they were both very well received. The seminar concentrated on how wildflower meadows can provide practical solutions to increasing the overall biodiversity of a given area, in both a rural and urban environment.

As you can see from the images below there was a great turn out, with a lot of interest and positive leads generated.

Ecobuild 2012

James in full flow!

Spot the busy bee!

The bees may finally be getting past their aversion to the camera!

Here are a few photos from the show…

Our stand, with the bee box on the left

Our Stand at Ecobuild!

Spot the bees!

As you can see the bee box is centre stage although the bees are still being camera-shy! Our Wildflower Turf looks fantastic and is certainly getting a lot of attention!