IN WOODLAND
I planted my first woodland at home back in 1984, all from 40-60cm transplants at around 2m
centres. Part of it now accommodates the pigs; the rest is more open and
is grazed by my Soay sheep. This is rather like a dense version of the wood pastures you often see around large country estates. It had a double use: grazing and timber, which was often coppiced at a high level (getting large poles or limbs) or felled. It is a beautiful type
of landscape.
But for us, the primary function of our woodland is as a hugely effective shelterbelt, creating a warmer microclimate for
my plants and me. I control the sheep’s access
so they don’t get too hungry and start nibbling the bark. A good mineral block helps this, too. The
sheep also hoover up fallen leaves with relish – they must be mineral rich. Soay sheep are the easiest to keep (and very tasty). They self shed – so no shearing – and nor do they
get foot rots, stuck on their backs, or caught in
brambles like many commercial sheep breeds.
About 15 years ago, my neighbour kindly sold me a small parcel of land to increase my shelterbelt. This I planted with ash, wild cherry, field maple and other natives and it has now started to shade out the nettles in places. I could just leave it be and slowly let other woodland plants colonise it of their own accord, but for a gardener, it has huge potential. A section of it flanks the drive, so I have decided to add a
helping hand.
Last year, I added a few tiny yew plants; these have grown rapidly skyward, forced up by their tall neighbours. The
box plants (from old hedges I removed) have been planted as random clumps. They will form small trees eventually if left alone or I could keep them as big bushes. Having an evergreen understorey provides shelter for wildlife and I
like the contrasting greens in winter. To add
more interest, I will shortly plant a mass of native bluebells, Anemone nemorosa, Galium odoratum (sweet woodruff), primroses, violas and some foxgloves. The native geum has come on its own already.
Woodland gardening is best done in the autumn so that young plants can put down roots before it’s too cold (they can have a lot of competition in a dry
spring). It’s a very calm sort of gardening, you can add bits and pieces and
watch them slowly colonise the leafy floor
and admire your woodland as it grows in character, maturity and beauty month by month.