Volunteers are due to plant a hedgerow at a nature reserve close to the A27 Brighton bypass tomorrow (Saturday 10 January).
The volunteer day event runs for two and a half hours at the Benfield Hill local nature reserve, just north of the bypass, by West Hove Golf Club.
It is the first of two hedgerow planting sessions, with dry but cold conditions forecast. The other – organised by the Benfield Wildlife and Conservation Group – is planned for Sunday 18 January.
On both days, the event is due to start at 10.30am, with volunteers asked to arrive by 10.15am to ensure a prompt start.
The organisers said: “We are aiming to plant about 175 to 200 small trees each morning of the two sessions. A demonstration of the planting technique will be given at the start, plus a health and safety briefing.
“People will work in small teams of two to three or family groups. Teams will be given the tools and equipment they need. Each team will be allocated a section of ground to plant up.
“Each team will select or be given a range of different species, aiming to plant 10 per section allocated. Advice will be given on the day of what to choose from the range of species provided.
“Each team will have one of our regular volunteers to help them. This person will show you how to space the saplings apart before planting and help you choose your planting mix.
“They will be on hand to answer any questions you have or help in any way.
“One person will dig a hole big and deep enough to cover the root ball and place the sapling in the hole with a cane to support it.
“The second person will close the hole, making sure the roots are completely covered, and then wrap a tree guard round the plant and cane to protect the growing tree from grazing animals.
“Each sapling is roughly 18in to 24in apart – or 40cm to 60cm. Help with spacing will be given.
“We will stop for a break roughly half-way through. Tea, coffee and treats will be provided by Benfield Wildlife and Conservation Group. Please bring your own mug.”
The saplings include field maple, oak, holly, crab apple, yew, blackthorn and hazel.
West Hove Golf Club has set aside some parking on a grass verge for those driving at What3Words location counts.shield.worked.
The organisers added: “Please wear layers of clothing that you don’t mind getting a bit muddy. Be prepared for cold, breezy weather and a rain shower although the forecast looks dry.
“Stout boots are recommended as the ground can be rough. If you have strong gardening gloves, please bring them, but we will have spare ones.”
For more information, email Sally Wadsworth at benfieldhillnr@gmail.com.
Lovely idea and 400 trees will absorb the carbon dioxide generated by about 1 person when they are fully grown in about 20 years time.
According to the weather forecast Saturday will be dry and cold, but Sunday will be warm and wet so not so comfortable.
I would question, though, with this being mid Winter whether this is the correct time for planting.
Why did you care? You’re not doing it.
Because it says we are allowed to make comments 🙄
Have you considered maybe not? If you have to attempt to find fault with people giving up their free time to plant trees (in the rain) for the betterment of area, should you really be commenting on anything, at all, ever?
Well it turns out it is going to be wet today and according to various experts it is better to plant in spring when the soil is warmer https://www.thespruce.com/when-is-the-best-time-to-plant-a-tree-8677800
And the article might have been better if they’d explained why these 2 groups are planting trees. I guess Brighton and Hove News just published their press release without question.
The best time to plant hedge whips is during the dormant season, which typically runs from November to March. Planting during this window allows the young plants to establish their root systems while they are not actively growing leaves or buds. The BWCG works closely with several organisations to make sure that planting is done at the optimal time, and there is a watering schedule in place to make sure the hedgerow has the best chance of success. As for rain, our volunteers are amazing and come all weather, unless the weather is so bad that this is not viable, in which case we reschedule. Thank you for your interest, please do support our efforts in making the city’s first and oldest Local Nature Reserve an exceptional example of a chalk grassland habitat.
Thanks for your reply – the advice you have been given seems to counter the various horticulturalists I’ve been in contact with. I’m having a hedge replaced around my property and they are waiting until April so that the soil is warmer and the plants can start growing straight away.
Hope you had a couple of successful planting sessions. Unfortunately I’m getting on in years and need to limit my physical activities.
Thanks for the reply (unlike “Charisma Challenged Frank”).
You seem to be getting different advice to that I got from several horticulturalists. I having a hedge replaced and was recommended to wait until April for the soil to be warmer and growing to start straight away.
Why are you planting the hedges?
Hope the planting sessions were successful. Unfortunately I’m “getting on a bit” and need to limit physical activity.