Finally completed the rebuild of the tractor front end, with completely refurbished power steering that actually works! We have completed mowing our meadows, and have prepared the ground for sowing another wildflower meadow in our large clearing - because of lack of mowing and maintenance it has become overgrown with a single species of tussock grass, and we are trying to add diversity to the flora there. Also preparing firewood for our own consumption this winter.
Coppicing will probably start a bit later this year. We don't have a large area to cut. Our next task is to check all the new trees and mark those that didn't make it this year so we can replace them. We probably have about 1000 trees to plant this winter - some as replacements, some in areas we didn't get done last year, and some to replace bramble and elder scrub with useful coppice in areas we cleared last year but didn't get around to thanks to planting Betty's Wood with 4500 trees!
I've also been harvesting a lot of wild fruits and making various jams, jellies and preserves. Tomorrow it will be elderberry and blackberry for making licquers and sloes for sloe gin. We are lucky to have so much crabapple available.
