Planting in the community
One of ERA’s first projects was the Chairman’s Meadow in Trotton, an area of forgotten ground in the centre of the hamlet. This community scheme is also described here. With permission of West Sussex County Council, local residents stripped off the topsoil, sowed wild flower seeds and planted a tree as the successful first stage of the project. Continuing this work to green our environment, last autumn ERA, the Management Committee for Rogate Village Hall and Recreation Ground and Rogate Parish Council embarked on a plan to carry out natural planting on the boundaries of Rogate Recreation Ground. I ordered a sack of seed from Emorsgate Seeds, the specialist growers of British wild flower and wild grass seed, for a section of the northern boundary; and native, naturalising Narcissus obvallaris (the little ‘Tenby’ daffodil) from J. Parkers, for the bank on the eastern boundary. Stripping the topsoil from the section for the seed was the most arduous task (wild flowers prefer impoverished soil) but small pits had also to be dug for the bulbs. Half a dozen loyal people turned out, with spades and forks, long handled bulb planters, trowels and rakes; and after three sessions the seed was raked in and the bulbs tucked snuggly underground. We are waiting to see what emerges after their winter sleep but have great hopes that this could be the beginning of glorious natural planting on the Rec.
ERA also helped to plant hundreds of snowdrops and crocuses in Rogate churchyard above the A272. The snowdrops will make a white carpet under the trees and the crocuses are in three sweeps (one lilac, one white and one mixed lilac, white and gold) nearer to the entrance gate. These are to replace earlier planting in memory of John and Margaret Berendt.
The bulbs and the seeds were all from established suppliers of sustainable plantlife. This is important because plants and seed are still sometimes obtained illegally and this is still causing environmental damage.
Natural planting is vital for our insect and bird life and is all too often being literally cut back. We hope to be able to carry out similar planting projects on verges and open spaces in and around our villages. Community orchards are another idea under discussion. We also plan to create a map of important trees and hedgerows in our area in an attempt to protect them from neglect or damage. If you can think of anywhere suitable for natural planting we would love to get you involved so please contact ERA. Two key phrases for this might be ‘Bee Positive’ and ‘No Mow May’.
