Hampshire Hedge

Today, we have mostly been planting whips (very small trees)of Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Field Maple, Dog Rose, Spindle, Privet and a few Crab Apples, as part of the  Hampshire Hedge Project. The aim is to plant a continuous line of hedging  between the New Forest and South Downs National Parks over the course of three winters. This is the second winter of the project. Today, 25 of us planted 260 metres of new hedge  (double row with approx 5 plants per  metre) which works out at 1300 plants, and about 52 per person. We were at Home Farm, Hursley, near the cricket club. The ground was extremely wet and muddy! We have planted close to an old wooden fence, which will be removed  once the  hedge has grown up. It was a good group, including a few young people, which is always encouraging, and the organisers, Ellie and  Yolanda, from CPRE are very enthusiastic and appreciative of our efforts.