The first time that the IOE Gardening Team ever picked up their trowels was not in either of the terrace gardens but in the area of grass and trees to the west of the Newsam library. In October 2012 we planted daffodills around some of the trees, then in October 2013 we added some more. As a result, we've had a lovely show of spring colour for the past two years.
We have now submitted a proposal to the University of London for the IOE gardeners to carry out further work here in order to improve the biodiversity index and enhance the space for users. At the moment, the space has several mature trees and some hedging, but the range of species is limited. Greater variety will increase the number and type of insects and birds using the area and will also encourage bats.
A recent biodiversity survey carried out by IOE trainee science teachers identified a number of wild flowers growing amongst the grass, but these are small and hard to find because the ground is badly compacted and the layer of soil is very thin - in places as little as two or three inches of soil on top of bricks, stones and rubble left from demolished buildings and construction work. One of the first challenges will therefore be to define areas where we will open up the ground and bring in additional soil so that we can plant native shrubs, hedges and flowering plants.
Although we aim to try and create the layers of planting that create the canopy found in native English woodland we won't overlook the fact that this area is used by many staff and students who simply want an outdoor place to read, eat, practice Tai Chi, and a range of other activities, so we will retain some spaces that are mown grass, linking them with grass paths so that people can walk through the area and find a place to sit with a book or lunch.
One recent addition that is not a native tree is a Magnolia (var. David Clulow). When we created Sarah's Garden we asked her family if they could identify any particular garden favourites of hers and their first suggestion was a white magnolia. The terrace location of Sarah's Garden would not have been a suitable environment for the tree, so we made an exception and planted it here, where it should be happy and can give pleasure to passers-by every spring. The flowers will be very large and pure white, and should be in flower at the same time as the spring bulbs.
We have now submitted a proposal to the University of London for the IOE gardeners to carry out further work here in order to improve the biodiversity index and enhance the space for users. At the moment, the space has several mature trees and some hedging, but the range of species is limited. Greater variety will increase the number and type of insects and birds using the area and will also encourage bats.
A recent biodiversity survey carried out by IOE trainee science teachers identified a number of wild flowers growing amongst the grass, but these are small and hard to find because the ground is badly compacted and the layer of soil is very thin - in places as little as two or three inches of soil on top of bricks, stones and rubble left from demolished buildings and construction work. One of the first challenges will therefore be to define areas where we will open up the ground and bring in additional soil so that we can plant native shrubs, hedges and flowering plants.
Although we aim to try and create the layers of planting that create the canopy found in native English woodland we won't overlook the fact that this area is used by many staff and students who simply want an outdoor place to read, eat, practice Tai Chi, and a range of other activities, so we will retain some spaces that are mown grass, linking them with grass paths so that people can walk through the area and find a place to sit with a book or lunch.
One recent addition that is not a native tree is a Magnolia (var. David Clulow). When we created Sarah's Garden we asked her family if they could identify any particular garden favourites of hers and their first suggestion was a white magnolia. The terrace location of Sarah's Garden would not have been a suitable environment for the tree, so we made an exception and planted it here, where it should be happy and can give pleasure to passers-by every spring. The flowers will be very large and pure white, and should be in flower at the same time as the spring bulbs.