We were looking forward to the beginning of 2021 to see which of our mini-meadow wildflower seeds felt like growing in this particular soil. In early spring, the snowdrops and crocuses blooming were a beautiful sight with the different coloured crocuses amongst the grass. Late spring the daffodils along the wall showed their yellow flowers. After that, the grass started to grow and in amongst it, the yellow rattle started appearing with its blooms. In the summer, lady bedstraws, with its yellow flowers in dense clusters, dominated the meadow.  Beautiful cornflowers and red poppies popped up persistently in between, especially around the cherry orchard. The grass grew over a meter long but the cornflowers competed successfully and hopefully in future the grass will be suppressed. At the end of August or in September we will cut the meadow with an old fashioned scythe.

The wildflower borders along Graspin Lane were widened and more wildflower seeds will be scattered in the autumn, so hopefully next year we will have many different kinds of wildflowers blooming. Many people expressed their love for the borders with encouraging words. We have also heard of several residents’ gardens boasting positive attempts to encourage wildlife by leaving spaces unmown and unkempt. Every little helps.

We built a bug hotel with additional room for solitary bees placed in the right hand far corner and we are planning maybe a tiny pond placed close by. We manufactured a couple of seats placed on the long wide path for people to have a little rest contemplating the meaning of life.

Hope you all have a lovely summer.

The cemetery lady (Marna)