THE MODERN MINT BLOG
The Big Tree Plant
Funding has been secured from DEFRA through the Big Tree Plant programme to plant 17,000 trees in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk over a period of two years.
Over 8000 trees were pplanted last season and there are another 9000 to go from this October 2014 to February 2015.
What do you need to do?
Provide a site which will take a minimum of 200 whips at 1m spacing.
Provide a site that is publicly accessible.
Encourage the local community to get involved in the planting and (ideally) the upkeep too.
What will Groundworks Essex (who secured the funding) do?
Help organise the communities involvement.
Provide protection for the trees from rabbits, strimmers etc…
Help design the scheme with their Landscape architect.
Provide additional trees and shrubs that are larger than whips if this is deemed necessary.
Tailor the design to suit your needs and site.
And most importantly…?
Fund up to 75% of the whole cost of the project, or even more than that if there is match funding or donations of time from another source.
How do you find out more?
To find out more about the Big Tree Plant scheme please get in touch with Kim Howell on 01268 752368; kim.howell@groundwork.org.uk
Modern Topiary, the Book, at Garden Media Guild
My book about topiary, Modern Topiary, has been mentioned on the Garden Media Guild newsletter…. As the screenshot says, the book can be read for free online here. At the bottom of the screenshot, it looks like another Garden Media Guild member has a book out called ‘A Year In A Cottage Garden’…. so if that is where your garden heart lies, check that out too! And at the top of the screenshot, it looks like I was listening to Pelleas et Melisande, by Debussy. What a classy chap I am, listening to classical music as I reply to emails. …
Start of the Whitby Topiary Library
I have been offered a space here in the centre of Whitby, south-facing aspect, with some raised beds in, so that I can make a Topiary Library. In my head, a topiary library is a place to showcase the common (and then not so common) shapes you can make out of topiary. With classical topiary plants, as well as some more unusual pieces. This Topiary Library can act as a reference for people to learn more about pruning and clipping. The space is small but the aspect is great and the beds are deep enough to put some plants in. …
Delivery After Dark – From the Makers of The Amelia Project
Last week I spent most nights stood in cold water streams on the moors of North Yorkshire, helping to film a new project called Delivery After Dark from the makers of the Amelia Project. I worked on the Amelia Project back at the end of 2024, lending my terrible vocal talents to a small part in the episode Didius Julianus. But this project is something new – and exciting! – and thankfully only needed me to be filmed, rather than to actually say anything. But not only did I have to stand in cold moving water at midnight, I also …