This blog is about what I make but I think you may have come to realise we are a pretty resourceful family all round. Today I want to share with you my bloke's project over the winter which has started to come alive now that it is Spring.
This is actually the end product. A tidy stack of wood to burn on the log burner at the cabin.
There was a little investment present wise for this project when I bought him this helmet for his birthday last August and he purchased some new tools.
He went on a hedge laying course to learn how to cut the base of the wood but leave enough for the sap to rise in the Spring to form new growth. Three places were booked: one for him, his brother and his dad. He was very excited about it in the run up to the weekend course - he even washed his boiler suit!
This is the hedge before laying. It had grown into a full row of Hazel, Holly and Field Maple trees over the years but really needed to be a hedge to stop it restricting traffic on the road.
Plenty to practise his new skill on.
You can only lay a hedge between October and February because of nesting birds and of course encouraging the wood to regrow. Here it is after many weekends of work, taking a photo in the same spot as the one above.
Plenty to practise his new skill on.
You can only lay a hedge between October and February because of nesting birds and of course encouraging the wood to regrow. Here it is after many weekends of work, taking a photo in the same spot as the one above.
So I am no longer a weekend hedge widow. Work has stopped and he is pleased to see the Hazel is throwing out new shoots. Hooray!
We can all talk knitting here but my bloke has talked hedge for a long time now. I don't mind, I like someone with a passion for 'their' thing, what ever it might be.
The light can now get through to the base so look at these lovely cowslips - a childhood favourite of mine.
and whats more but a few more of these little lambs, this one is still damp.
The light can now get through to the base so look at these lovely cowslips - a childhood favourite of mine.
and whats more but a few more of these little lambs, this one is still damp.
Thanks for looking...at a hedge! Jo xxx
That's really interesting and I am impressed at the end product!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like it would have taken ages to clear the wood first and then to set in all the stakes and weave the live Hazel around the stakes! It's great to see the new shoots coming through. I'd love to see an update later in the Spring.
Amazing! The Countryfile geek in me actually finds hedge laying quite interesting - shh, don't tell anyone. ;-) What strikes me is the sheer amount of work that went into this, hard, physical, grafting type work. Our log pile needs some attention now - we have a huge stack of fence posts but John says he needs a chainsaw to tackle it. I'll tell him to get a helmet, shall I? xx
ReplyDeleteI never knew hedges needed more than trimming now and then, I have learned something new that I hope to weave into a conversation soon (I like to sound more clever than I am). I am really impressed with your blokes dedication! My bloke has a passion for bikes, not the motorised kind. It is not quite as useful but a passion nonetheless. I used to collect armfuls for cowslips when I was little. Wouldn't dare now. I have three cowslips in my front garden, we have a 'wildflower meadow' with its own agenda, you never know what you get from year to year. Have a lovely week Jo xx
ReplyDeleteWow, that is impressive.Its good that these skills are still being taught, and that people still want to learn how to do them. Looks hard work !
ReplyDeleteAndy said, "If you want people to stop and talk to you, lay a hedge!" Many people stopped their cars on this quiet road to say it looked good which was a real motivator. Jo x
DeleteWell done on the hedge. Who knew it was so complicated? Love the little lamb, so sweet.
ReplyDeleteTalk about labor of love. That is a LOT of work.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Brilliant work by your hubby.
ReplyDeleteI love to see these traditional skills thriving and the results are so impressive. My dad was a pretty good dry-stone wall repairer...another great rural craft.
Hope you do us an update in a couple of years.
Jacquie x
Give hubby a pat on the back - job well done! And I'd much rather be a hedge laying widow than a down the pub widow :-) xx
ReplyDeleteMy late Dad was an agricultural worker and also knew how to lay hedges. They look wonderful once they are done. There are all kinds of county variations of different types of hedges too.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Ellie
There are Ellie, this one is the Midland style. x
DeleteWhat a great job your husband did! I find this and other woody things very fascinating indeed so I can see why your husband has been enjoying it. Oh and I agree, good for men to have their own interests! p.s. can you drop me an e-mail so that I can get in touch with you about something, not sure of your e-mail!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful and interesting hedgerow work, and I love seeing the sweet new lamb as well. Thanks for posting, Jo! xx
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good job done there. Well done.
ReplyDelete