It’s an orchard work session Sunday again this weekend and we do hope the weather will be kind to us this time!

The forecast: a bit damp, a bit cool, maybe a bit sunny later. The sunny bits are really magical when they arrive at the orchard. So getting active on site could be good for keeping warm whilst waiting for the sunny moments!

Sylvia’s wonderful nettle soup will be on offer too, from 3-ish

The red campion we sowed last year in the lower orchard is just starting to come into bloom, casting a pink veil across the lower site. There’s a new path of woodchip through it, so do feel free to come and have a look. You may spot hoverflies – they are particularly attracted to the blossoms.

Nettle is also flourishing and when you’ve tasted Sylvia’s soup, feel free to take some trimmings home and cook your own! You might still find a few wild garlic leaves as well.

*Tasks on site*

Laying more cardboard and compost in the upper orchard area. We are still looking for cardboard, mainly the very large cartons. We have covered less than half what we eventually aim to do.

There’s also some digging in of green manure on the raised beds

Cutting back some of vibrant nettles at the top of the main path. These are good green manure, so we want to be harvesting some – but not most. Wear stout gloves, even kitchen gloves, to protect hands from nettle spines.

One for the youngsters among us: Himalayan Balsam is sprouting from the compost pile. We’d like small, agile people to clamber across the pile and pull out as many stems as they can. We’d be happy to have them pitched into our new compost frame, or a nearby bag for collection.

We’ve decided that the bee baffle needs another 2 feet in height. So we will be setting new posts and weaving new mesh.

*What to bring*

Strong gloves, and boots, wheelbarrow, shovel, shears, spade and fork. Secaturs, lopper, big sheets of cardboard if you’ve got any.

*Tasks off site*

We are looking for help in other ways this summer too. If you don’t get involved on site, some of this might be for you.

*Help Four Seasons*

Four Seasons will have a Kings Heath Farmers’ Market stall on June 2nd. Can you help with transport, or on the stall?

*Help Outdoor Summer School*

Local primary schools – we are coordinating and promoting Summertastic 2012 in the park.

Can you tell us of contacts in schools that would be supportive? Can you contribute in another way? Local Business Sponsorship – which one(s) might sponsor this summer play scheme?

For more details, and if you have questions, please get in touch with Liz via phone, our address or hoccic@gmail.com.

Hoping to see you soon! Liz, David, Margaret, Alf &co

Here we are, on a sometimes sunny afternoon, laying out more compost, seeding it, and doing a bit of decorative work with bricks.

The crabapples at the former Henburys depot are out – so the bees will be foraging and pollinating here.

We’ve covered another 100 square metres with compost, raked it out and seeded it with buckwheat, clover and phacelia.

Today’s result looks like this.

Three weeks ago it looked like this.

And we had a nice bit of birthday cake and a chat with various people.