Nick and Elisabeth Sturt advised us to get in touch with an expert on graveyard rewilding. Helen Proctor lives in East Sussex, she has a wealth of knowledge as to how to go about these projects. In response to my email she has responded thus:
From: Helen Proctor <hm.proctor@btinternet.com>
Date: 19 August 2020 at 16:35:20 BST
To: “hil\\@theforageyard” <hil@theforageyard.co.uk>
Cc: Jennifer Goldsmith <jf1jgold@gmail.com>, Jenny Quest <quest.jenny@yahoo.co.uk>, Richard Whincop <richardwhincop@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: St Nics Graveyard, Lavant
Hi Hilly,
I am so pleased that you and your colleagues are enthusiastic about improving the churchyard for nature conservation. It seems that Chichester District Council need to understand the management process. If you have found 100 species, please could you ask Nick and Elisabeth to update their list for me, including more grass species if possible.
What is the geology of the churchyard. Is it alluvial, calcareous or neutral? It will be interesting to see what other native plants have appeared, unaided in the churchyard, with the reduction in mowing.
The more mowing and raking outside the flowering season the better, but obviously this is weather dependent. Fertile soil may have allowed coarse grasses such as False Oat-grass and Cock’s-foot grass to dominate. The latter can form large tussocks but cutting every 3-4 weeks outside the flowering season reduces its vigour as its nutrients are stored in the base of the leaves. At Arlington, we are having to control Hogweed, Docks and Nettles. An early cut in March can reduce grass height.
It is useful that you are writing articles for the village newsletter. Publicity about the objectives of the management plan and the subsequent rewards, ie news of butterflies etc seen will encourage more parishioners to be sympathetic to the aims. A photo. gallery on a notice board also helps.
Do keep in touch next year. I will be very interested to learn of the progress made with the flora and wildlife.
Good luck and best wishes,
Helen
Recent Comments