The green and rolling countryside of Worcestershire, England, is home to the cider apple orchards which surround the gardens of Pear Tree Cottage. They enjoy a sunny south westerly aspect with sweeping views across to Martley Hillside, Woodbury and Abberley clock tower. The Teme Valley lies just over the hill and, not far away, is the Herefordshire border. Although our climate is temperate, our seasons are often uncertain and always a challenge to a gardener! This began in 2010 & follows the weekly ups and downs of garden work chronicling both successes and failures but, above all, demonstrates the fun enjoyed by three people who regularly garden in all weathers

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18 May 2020

Toro Grazing!

Toro munching!
Nearly finished

These Saturday's seem to be coming round faster and faster in lockdown!  Maybe because I spend even more time gardening! 


With no garden visitors allowed and all open days and visiting groups cancelled, we are going a tad radical this year!  Our little orchard has been 'Toro Grazed' - a FIRST in PTC history!  Normally we leave the grass to grow long and then cut it for hay.  This year and, having let the cowslips set seed, Chris mowed it at a height of 4".  We plan to do this every 5 - 6 weeks. 

Advantages? No yellow areas, no flattened long grass by thundery/heavy rain, prevention of Aspen suckers from establishing (even though the trees were all removed last autumn there are dozens popping up), retaining  an interesting effect as it will still be much longer than the shorter mowed paths bisecting it.




Mowing in May
Mowing in August

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