July Edition 2018
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Big Dig
Big Dig
Seen by thousands each day in passing as they enter and leave Johnstown this unloved strip of barren ground has been devoid of life for a decade. Armed with shovels and forks a team arrived to tackle the verge of the former Petrol Station on Metges Road.
The aim of the day was to plant nearly a hundred climbing plants and close to 200 mixed shrubs supplied by Navan Garden Centre.
The aim of the day was to plant nearly a hundred climbing plants and close to 200 mixed shrubs supplied by Navan Garden Centre.
No one was quite prepared for such hot weather conditions and the forecast suggested we were going to need a second or third visit.
No one was quite prepared for such hot weather conditions and the forecast suggested we were going to need a second or third visit.
With the sunny weather providing so many other opportunities for families to make the most of this dry spell we didn't anticipate many coming out to help but around 25 did come.
With the sunny weather providing so many other opportunities for families to make the most of this dry spell we didn't anticipate many coming out to help but around 25 did come.
After removing surface rubble the baked soil conditions became obvious and would severely hamper the schedule to plant everything in one visit.
After removing surface rubble the baked soil conditions became obvious and would severely hamper the schedule to plant everything in one visit.
Pick axes were sent for to try and break the surface crust.
Pick axes were sent for to try and break the surface crust.
70 or more holes later and planting began in earnest.
70 or more holes later and planting began in earnest.
Everyone took turns with the Pick Axe which is not a normal gardening tool.
Everyone took turns with the Pick Axe which is not a normal gardening tool.
Dig out the rubble to expose clay soil.
Dig out the rubble to expose clay soil.
Compost mix to mix in
Compost mix to mix in
Plant and tie
Plant and tie
After a few back breaking hours the entire fence line gained it's first signs of new life in a decade.
After a few back breaking hours the entire fence line gained it's first signs of new life in a decade.
70 mixed climbers given time should screen off the yard and enhance the view from the road.
70 mixed climbers given time should screen off the yard and enhance the view from the road.
Back Breaking
Back Breaking
It soon became clear that mechanical help was needed to break up the soil and mix in the compost. A hydraulic rotavator has been sourced and will be put to use by John Rochfort our volunteer operator from Rochfort Property Maintenance.
It soon became clear that mechanical help was needed to break up the soil and mix in the compost. A hydraulic rotavator has been sourced and will be put to use by John Rochfort our volunteer operator from Rochfort Property Maintenance.
Delayed
Delayed
It's not often you hear of Irish weather preventing gardening in June! However the lack of rain means the project has a huge water requirement and with Ireland heading towards a water crisis we decided to pause for a month.
It's not often you hear of Irish weather preventing gardening in June! However the lack of rain means the project has a huge water requirement and with Ireland heading towards a water crisis we decided to pause for a month.
The shrubs are being held by the Garden Centre whilst the soil is rotavated and compost added in the next few weeks.
The shrubs are being held by the Garden Centre whilst the soil is rotavated and compost added in the next few weeks.
Finally signs of life
Finally signs of life
When the cooler weather conditions return we will call for volunteers to attend a second, less exhausting planting session.
When the cooler weather conditions return we will call for volunteers to attend a second, less exhausting planting session.
Contact
Contact
Helpers
Helpers
Read Next in July Edition 2018
Read Next in July Edition 2018
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