As the leaves begin to turn and the berries to ripen; as the fungi fruits begin to grow and the Earth dampens down into decay and silence, we're upping our energy to create.
As this year's growth returns to the land, becoming invisible over the winter, we're thinking of all that can be done. Over the past few days, I've been removing the grass around the newly planted trees, getting the ground ready to plant yellow rattle kindly provided by The Woodland Trust and Forest of Flowers in York.
Because this land has been 'improved' to be a sheep pasture, the sward, the skin of the land is a dense covering, and the nitrogen levels high. There will be little chance of other species establishing currently, and yellow rattle 'thins' the grass to create more 'space' for greater biodiversity as it feeds off the vigorous grasses. We're planting it now as it needs freezing temperatures to germinate. We'll be planting more here on 12-13th October if you'd like to join us.
As I've been scraping away the grass and moss, it's been fascinating to uncover fungi with names like black earth tongue, scarlett wax cap, turf bell, and apricot club, bright oranges and reds against the dark soil.
The deep holes dug in the springtime by the youngsters divining for water have been lept upon by a crew with spades and vigor to dig and create a wildlife pond. Pass on the gym subscription, here's heavy lifting in crisp, healthy, fresh air, followed by a cuppa, conversation and shared food over a fire well into the evening, witnessing a stunning moonrise.
Digging also continues on 12-13th October and you're very welcome to join with your spade.
The mice and hedgehogs are looking to hibinate but we are not yet ready too with so much to do, and tend and shape, creating different habitats and restoring biodiversity. And the more hands to help, the merrier. If you'd like to join, contact me through fb or Sandilandscollective on instagram.com, or via my website www.closetotheearth.co.uk.
