Spring Gardening Plan 2024
Throughout Spring we work with a light touch to ensure we do not disturb nesting birds and animal/ insect habitats and are not damaging emerging shoots of bulbs and perennials. Winter work on digging and pruning larger shrubs, under trees and alongside hedges STOPS.
Location
- Bird Cage Walk: Cut back lime tree suckers with care as emerging plants grow up along the lime trees. Bristol Council Parks Dept prune the arches in spring. Keep swept and trim back weedy growth along the edge of the railings to facilitate sweeping and clear trip hazards.
- Blackberry Beds: (sunny walls East and West graves) By end of February cut out fruited canes to base and start to train canes to fan out from a central point to stop overcrowding.Raise canes to stop ‘tip rooting’ into ground.
- Flower beds for Wildlife: Buddleia bank; Rose bed; Semi Shade Bed; Dogwood Dell; Violet patch. Remove invasive smothering plants - three cornered leek, bramble shoots; ivy; bindweed. Sow seeds and put in plants to attract pollinators.
- Graves: Cut bramble shoots and self-seeded shrubs as low as possible where they are growing between graves, avoiding damage to emerging plants. Trim ivy lightly but do not strip off grave stones to avoid damage. If large amounts need removing, cut off above root and leave to die.
- Lawns: Bristol City Council will give the first cut around April, avoiding bulbs and flower beds. Discuss mowing plans with Bristol Council Parks dept to leave longer grass and ‘tussocky’ areas.
- Leaves: Check there are no smothering piles left on the grass. Pull back gently off clumps of bulbs and Primroses. Remove to leaf bin.
- Structures: wood piles, leaf bin. Avoid disturbance of possible animal/ insect habitats
- Trees: Lightly prune back overhanging branches of trees if a hazard. Warn Bristol City Council if there are concerns.
- Walls and Paths: Bulbs are coming up by the end of January, so avoid working near walls. Do not cut back IVY on walls especially down the EAST side by Post Office yard/ around brick shed as we know birds nest here. Dig out roots in paths to clear trip hazards.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Separate waste as we work according to where we put it for disposal.
Leave time at the end of a session to deal with waste.
L. A.W. February 3rd 2024
Summer Gardening Plan 2024
Most graves and paths vanish under lush growth which can reach shoulder height in sunnier spots. Perennials such as solidago, hemp agrimony, rosebay willowherb, ground elder and burdock take over. We work with a light touch to avoid damage to flowering plants and because we cannot get near most graves. Beware tripping on hidden gravestones, stems of bramble, ivy and bindweed.
Location
- Bird Cage Walk: Bristol Parks prune the arches in spring. Keep swept and trim back weedy growth along the edge of the railings to facilitate sweeping and clear trip hazards.
- Blackberry Beds: (sunny walls East and West graves) Check, train to separate canes. Raise canes to stop ‘tip rooting’ into ground
- Flower beds for Wildlife: Buddleia bank; Rose bed; Semi Shade Bed; Dogwood Dell; Violet patch. Check all is well, weed to remove invasive plants.
- Graves: We cannot work close to graves as perennials take over. Cut trip hazards back if easy to reach.
- Lawns: Check mowing plans with Bristol Council to leave longer grass and ‘tussocky’ areas.
- Structures: wood piles, leaf bin can be worked on, repaired.
- Trees: YEW remove ivy, elder growth at base and up trunk. All other trees: Lightly prune back overhanging branches of trees if a hazard. Warn Bristol City Council if there are concerns.
- Walls and Paths: Snip back growth in and on walls. Trim IVY in early summer to restrict height and spread once all chance of bird nesting is over. Dig out roots in paths to clear trip hazards.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Separate waste as we work according to where we put it for disposal.
Leave time at the end of a session to deal with waste.
L. A.W. February 3rd 2024
Autumn / Winter Gardening Plan 2024
The BUSY PERIOD! Flowering time is over, plants are dying down, birds are not nesting. We concentrate on digging out the roots of invasive brambles, snowberry, hollies and other self-sown shrubs. Trees and shrubs are pruned to remove dead, diseased wood, overgrown branches and grave damage. Fallen leaves need raking from Bird cage Walk and grassy areas. This is the time for planting trees, shrubs and bulbs. Leave seed heads of perennials for birds and insects. Leave ivy to flower.
Location
- Bird Cage Walk: Cut lime tree suckers close to their base. Keep the long twigs as they are useful for ‘weaving’. Keep swept and trim back weedy growth along the edge of the railings to facilitate sweeping and clear trip hazards. Sweep up leaves and put into leaf bin
- Blackberry Beds: (sunny walls East and West graves) Check, train to separate canes. Raise canes to stop ‘tip rooting’ into ground
- Flower beds for Wildlife: Buddleia bank; Rose bed; Semi Shade Bed; Dogwood Dell; Violet patch. Remove invasive smothering plants - three cornered leek, bramble shoots; ivy; bindweed etc
- Graves: Check over condition of graves and remove roots of larger woody plants; bramble; ivy; Old Man’s Beard etc that could damage the stone work.
- Lawns: Dormant. No mowing after October
- Leaves: Check there are no smothering piles left on the grass. Put into leaf bin
- Planting: Experience has shown that it is very difficult to find suitable depth of decent soil in which to plant. In October 2022 we planted nearly 3000 bulbs in the lawns and along walls. Few came up. If we try again, avoid well-trodden areas, ensure adequate depth of soil. In 2023 we planted a witch hazel which a fox dug up and 3 dogwoods which we successfully protected with a bramble hedge.
- Structures: Check leaf bin and wood piles but avoid disturbing areas wildlife may shelter and overwinter. Check Hibernaculum. Construct dead hedges to protect special beds.
- Trees and Shrubs: YEW remove ivy, elder growth at base and up trunk. All other trees: Lightly prune back overhanging branches of trees if a hazard. Cut out dead wood. Warn Bristol City Council if there are concerns.Invasive self-seeded shrubs such as Snowberry, Holly and Laurel can now be pruned back or removed. Save long branches for constructions. Get out roots if possible to do so without damaging graves. Cut back hard if roots are impossible to reach.
- Walls and Paths: Snip back growth in and on walls. Do not trim IVY as the flowers and berries benefit wildlife.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Separate waste as we work according to where we put it for disposal.
Leave time at the end of a session to deal with waste.
L. A.W. February 3rd 2024
Autumn/Winter Gardening Plan 2023
AIMS: conserve graves and monuments; continue to improve biodiversity; continue to improve area as an attractive communal space.
- Remove invasive smothering snowberry and brambles . Dig out roots if possible without damaging graves. Cut down shrubs/ saplings growing up and through graves. Cut seed heads off invasive perennials to control spread.
- Remove ivy and self seeded shrub growth at base and up trunk for Yews. All other trees: Lightly prune back overhanging branches of trees if a hazard. Cut out dead wood. Warn Bristol City Council if there are concerns.
- Prune designated bramble patches (e.g. on East Graves wall shared with Bishops Garden) to encourage blossom and berries in 2024.
- Plant up and encourage small areas of nettles , an excellent food plant for insects.
- Sweep up leaves on Bird Cage Walk and on grassy areas. Put into leaf storage areas NOT along the inside of railings where they smother spring bulb and primrose growth.
- Birdcage walk / central path: Remove weedy growth along the edges. Keep Bird Cage Walk well swept as we know this discourages litter dropping, cut lime tree suckers as they re-grow.
- Stone Walls : Cut back plant growth on walls and at base to help avoid damage to structure.
- Rose Bed : Weed, feed and prune. Maintain mix of nectar rich plants in bed.
- Create a Butterfly Bank along the North West wall. Clear bramble, bindweed and ivy. Dig over. Plant buddleia and other insect attracting shrubs and plants. Plant small beds of nettles. Move plants from ‘semi shade pollinator bed’ to this sunnier spot. Make a Hibernaculum along this bank to encourage over wintering amphibians and reptiles. See Avon Wildlife Trust report.
- Bulb planting: In October 2022 we planted nearly 3000 bulbs in the lawns and along the walls. Sadly fewer than 30% of lawn planted bulbs survived. If we do this again we know not to plant in lawns or well trodden areas. Keep to walls where there is adequate depth of soil.
- Maintenance: Build/ maintain structures for leaf and log piles.
- Waste : Separate waste as we work according to where we put it for disposal.
Key documents : Management and Maintenance Plan 2023; Avon Wildlife Trust TWEAS summary Report March 2023; ‘Caring for God’s Acre’ handbook on graveyard management.
Lesley Woodward, Caroline Melvin 1st September 2023
Summer Gardening Plan 2023
Most graves and paths will vanish under lush growth now. In 2021 and 2022 we were still dealing with extensive, smothering brambles. 2023 will be, we hope, easier! Lush plant growth can reach shoulder height where sunshine reaches but tree canopies leave most of the lawned areas in shade.
Brambles
Clip back as we spot new growth. Check for bramble shoots emerging in the Shady Pollinators bed in Area 6.
Lime Tree Suckers
Snip back if we can get near them.
Self Seeded shrubs and saplings
Cut down if these risk damaging graves.
Coppiced Trees
Leave now.
Trees
YEW: remove ivy, elder growth at base and up trunk.
All other trees: Lightly prune back overhanging branches of trees if a hazard. Cut out dead wood. Warn Bristol City Council if there are concerns.
Leaves
None to rake up.
Lawns
Bristol City Council deal with these. Discuss mowing plans with them to leave longer grass and ‘tussocky’ areas.
Weeds
Remove weedy growth along the edge of Birdcage Walk if it is a trip hazard to passers by. Weed the two small beds and along the walls in Area 6. Towards the end of summer cut seeding heads off invasive plants.
Walls and Paths
Keep Birdcage Walk well swept as we know this discourages litter. Work on removing bramble roots in paths in graveyard areas 2b and 3b if we can actually see the paths!
Planting / Sowing
Working with Avon Wildlife Trust advice we will be looking at sowing wildflower/ tussocky grass seed patches and planting plugs of night scented plants .
Maintenance
Make sure waste bins are in good order.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Separate waste as we work according to where we put it for disposal.
Leave time at the end of a session to deal with waste.
Autumn / Winter Gardening Plan 2023
Flowering time is over, plants have died down, birds are not nesting. Concentrate on clearing fallen leaves and cutting back self sown shrubs such as snowberry and brambles. Soil is moist so it is easier to dig out roots of invasive vegetation. Planting time for trees / shrubs. Time for building / maintenance.
Brambles
As other vegetation dies down, it is easier to see brambles. Dig out roots if possible without damaging graves. Cut down into top of root crown if you can’t dig out.
Lime Tree Suckers
A good time now to cut off the suckers from the base, before we have bulbs emerging. Keep the long ones as they are useful for ‘weaving’. The rest to the log pile.
Self Seeded shrubs and saplings
Dig out roots if possible, without damaging graves. Cut back hard if roots are impossible to reach.
Coppiced Trees
Single trunk has been cut in the past and is now branching out in multiple branches. Particular problem near graves. Hard to dig out. Cut back hard.
Trees
YEW: remove ivy, elder growth at base and up trunk.
All other trees: Lightly prune back overhanging branches of trees if a hazard. Cut out dead wood. Warn Bristol City Council if there are concerns.
Leaves
Sweep up leaves on Birdcage Walk and on grassy areas. Put into leaf bins.
Lawns
Dormant. Sadly, probably muddied by pedestrians / dogs.
Weeds
Remove weedy growth along the edge of Birdcage Walk / the central path. Weed the two small beds and along the walls in Area 6 , concentrating on removal of wild garlic / thinning bluebells. This is a very good time to check over graves as we can see woody / bramble growth that could damage the stone work. Cut seed heads off invasive plants to control spread.
Planting
In October 2022 we planted nearly 3000 bulbs in the lawns and along the walls. If we do this again avoid well trodden areas and make sure there is adequate depth of soil.
Walls and Paths
Cut back plant growth on walls and at base to help avoid damage to structure. Keep Birdcage Walk well swept as we know this discourages litter dropping. Work on removing bramble roots in paths in graveyard areas 2b and 3b.
Maintenance
Build / maintain structures for compost heaps and log piles. Build a wire cage for leaves or they will blow around. Cut foliage off the brick shed.
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Separate waste as we work according to where we put it for disposal.
Leave time at the end of a session to deal with waste.
Spring Gardening Plan 2023
The flowering season starts with snowdrops, daffodils, primroses followed by bluebells and cow parsley which emerge in patches of sunlight and along the railings in Birdcage Walk. Take great care as we work to avoid crushing emerging shoots.
Brambles
Last chance early in Spring to dig out out roots if possible. From April cut all new growth off as low as possible. This gets hard as luxuriant weeds emerge. Check for bramble shoots emerging in the Shady Pollinators bed in Area 6
Lime Tree Suckers
Cutting ends as emerging plants grow up along the lime trees. Bristol Parks Dept. prune these iconic trees.
Self Seeded shrubs and saplings
Cut down if these risk damaging graves.
Coppiced Trees
Leave now.
Trees
YEW: remove ivy, elder growth at base and up trunk.
All other trees: Lightly prune back overhanging branches of trees if a hazard. Cut out dead wood. Warn Bristol City Council if there are concerns.
Leaves
Check there are no smothering piles left. Remove to leaf bin.
Lawns
Bristol City Council will give first cut around April, avoiding bulbs and wild flower areas. Working with Avon Wildlife Trust advice we will be looking at developing ‘scruffier’ tussocky grass areas.
Weeds
Remove weedy growth along the edge of Birdcage Walk if it is a trip hazard to passers by. Weed the two small beds and along the walls in Area 6
Walls and Paths
Bulbs are coming up strongly so avoid working on walls. Keep Birdcage Walk well swept as we know this discourages litter dropping. Work on removing bramble roots in paths in graveyard areas 2b and 3b.
Planting / Sowing
Working with Avon Wildlife Trust advice we will be looking at sowing wildflower / tussocky grass seed patches and planting plugs to attract
Maintenance
Make sure waste bins are in good order
WASTE MANAGEMENT
Separate waste as we work according to where we put it for disposal.
Leave time at the end of a session to deal with waste.
[Author: Lesley Woodward 21/4/23
Edited 23/4/23 Master Saved as Gardening Plans by Season Apr 2023]