News
DIG THIS SEPTEMBER 2023
Friday 1st September 2023
Reports about Box Moth Caterpillar.
Some residents are reporting damage to their box trees from the box moth caterpillar, the larvae of the Box Tree Moth 'Cydalima perspectalis'. The moth lays its eggs on the underside of the box leaves where they hatch and feed on the leaves. This can devastate box plants in a matter of days, and although it does not usually kill the plant outright it will weaken it through repeated attacks. There is plenty of good advice out there as to how to deal with it but being aware and removing caterpillars will help. We have a lot of box hedging around the estate so the gardeners have been informed.
Bamboo spraying - Phase 2.
The next phase of spraying will start on other specified areas of the north garden later this month. Any re-growth of bamboo left from the last treatment will be dealt with by a method called 'wet wiping', to ensure that all the remaining bamboo growth from the last area treated is eliminated. We have been reliably informed that we will be able to start replanting later this year in the late autumn, and early winter period. We will have to be patient while waiting for any new plants to grow and fill the void in the gardens left by the bamboo.
The weather is still keeping us guessing - not easy these days for gardeners.
A hot and sunny June, a wet July, a very mixed August - what is going on? It certainly is keeping the gardeners busy dealing with the elements, and the growth at the moment of plants and unfortunately.....weeds! You will notice as you walk around the estate that the gardeners are gradually getting on top of all the greenery that has grown up around us during the last few months.
Friends of The Old Meadow (FoTOM)
There has been some activity around the estate with residents helping by clearing debris, tidying up borders and doing their best to keep the weeds down. We are ever thankful to residents volunteering and giving up their time.
Gerry Smith (RMC), and David Brown (co-opted as a gardening advisor to the RMC board).