Rain…..

      …..Or the lack of it. I have to stretch my limited brain cells to remember when was the last time that I experienced the constant high temperatures and lack of rainfall that has dominated this year’s weather. The only comparison I can remember that comes close is the summer of 1976, which was also notable for a massive increase in the numbers of Ladybirds that season. I admit that ‘76 was some time ago and I was a mere scamp of a lad not yet a teenager and somewhat of a recluse, but my overall recollection of that particular summer was that it was indeed bloody hot.

      The last week or so has seen some relief in the form of some light showers though not enough to make a difference to the rock hard soil and struggling flora and fauna. What is not needed at the this time are massive downpours, but rather a couple or more weeks of steady rainfall that will soak into the soil without washing it away as heavier rainfall would do. For myself there is one particular site that I am concerned about, and that is the small section of Offa’s dyke that I have begun working upon…..

       The pictures above show the area before clearing whilst the pictures below show the West face of the dyke after clearing of mainly bramble and gorse with several saplings that had taken hold….

      The ‘after’ pictures do not show the surface very well but there are three main areas of previous damage, two of which are man made whilst the third is an area of water run off that has resulted in the loss of a large amount of soil over time.

     I had left the clearing for as long as possible and when the promise of light rain was forecast the decision was made to go ahead. Fingers crossed now that for once the forecasts are right and heavy rain will hold off at least until the flora has regenerated a tad helping to hold the surface soil in place. 

    There are quite a few constraints when working on the dyke, all put in place to protect what is these days a welsh national monument. I have to admit I do find this slightly odd os the dyke was apparently built by those folk upon the east side, who are later destined to become English, as a show of strength and power to the pesky tribes upon the west side who would later become the wonderful folk known as the welsh. I digress, as part of the constraints one is not allowed to dig up any roots but this causes an issue of the regeneration of unwanted flora in the long run (I will not use herbicides). On most areas of the dyke that are being cared for, or where restoration in being carried out this is not really an issue as the cleared areas can be managed using livestock but in the small garden setting that this project is within, it will have to be regular mechanical grazing* that will be the control. Care and thought will have to flow in abundance to produce a natural looking meadow using this technique m'thinks.

      Besides the real possibility of more soil erosion on this area there was another, perhaps more worrying, aspect that came to light. Normally when clearing an area in a unkept garden with a similar overgrown outlook, the amount of wildlife found within can be quite staggering. From invertebrates to small mammals and birds there is usually a large amount of displaced fauna and the signs of activity it leaves. Here though, there was bugger all apart from some old and disused vole/mouse holes. Whether or not the prolonged hot weather is in some way responsible I don't know, but I do know that I have not come across an area so devoid of fauna in an outdoor setting before. Hopefully the introduction of a 'low meadow' ** environment will encourage fauna levels to increase and diversify, time will tell.

     As I return to complete this post I have to report that I have just emerged from a hot shower after getting  soaked through to me underpants during this mornings work. The work was putting up the rear of a retaining garden wall with breeze blocks. The rain was not heavy enough to stop me putting up the wall but after I had finished it had soaked through all layers of clothing (Note to self, really need to improve my inclement weather clothing this season). The outer skin of the wall will consist of brick and will have to wait for better weather to produce the finish I want, well I try still to maintain my high standards of workmanship you know. Hopefully the rain will persist with the same intensity for some time as the soil will be able to draw the moisture in at these levels instead of heavier rainfall causing the water to run off leaving the under soil untouched and removing to surface layers. 

   This afternoon’s work is going to be a non starter due to the inclement weather though there are plenty of machines awaiting my delicate touch in the workshop. So I think another brew is required and off to the workshop I will be going. Till the next time take care and enjoy life.

Notes :-

*  Mechanical grazing, A term that I use for the use of lawnmowers and strimming instead of animal grazing. In this instance all cut materials have to be removed so as not to enrich the soil to prevent wild flora from bolting.

** Low meadow, A term that I use to describe a particular type of managed meadow that I implement in certain circumstances when the tall unkempt type of meadow is not wanted within a garden setting, but rather a less overpowering visage is required . Plants used include clovers, Selfheal, fox n cubs, birds foot trefoil, yellow rattle etc..