On another frosty-blue-sky morning lacking cloud cover to lift the temperature, Jackie and I made a trip to Otter Nurseries to buy her
customary annual pot of primroses to grace the kitchen table until it is warm enough to let them loose in the garden; then continued into the forest for a short drive.
Just outside Sway we noticed what seemed like a frisky altercation between two of a
group of ponies on a stretch of moorland cleared of gorse.
On second thoughts they might have been spooked by flying debris
churned out by the tractor engaged in clearing an abundant growth.
We are accustomed to seeing the effects of controlled burning on the gorse, but this is the first time we have seen a tractor used in the process.
By the time Martin’s half-day’s work was done he had most of the sleepers in place and left the area as tidy as always.
This afternoon, following the advice of SueW, I recovered pictures for the following posts:
This evening we dined at The Sir John Barleycorn pub in Cadnam. The venue warrants much more than my customary coda, and it is now too late for concentration, so I will feature the event tomorrow.
I really like Martin’s work, it looks great! I assumed that fire was the best way to clear the gorse.
Have a look at shoreacre’s comments John. Thanks very much
Martin’s paver pattern looks fantastic! The gorse is being cleared to prevent fires or to develop the land?
I’m not really sure, Liz, but I imagine the latter – for nature, not buildings. Thanks very much
You’re welcome, Derrick. Around here, swaths of trees are being cut down for houses and strip malls. It’s painful to see.
In the New Forest National Park no new building is permitted unless it follows a previous footprint.
That’s good to hear!
An interesting process of the tractor’s attachment seemingly being ‘backed’ into the gorse to munch it up …
Yes. Thanks very much, Ivor
Beautiful annual primrose, as well as the other photos.
It’s too bad we can’t all come sit out on your patio once it’s finished.
My husband and I will be waiting to hear about the pub. The name made me think of the song, so we just listened to two versions, Steeleye Span and Steve Winwood/Traffic. 🙂
Thanks very much, Merril. That would be a wonderful gathering
I agree!
The mechanical gorse clearance was interesting. Perhaps burning is deprecated these days because of damage to the soil.
Or perhaps air pollution.
Could be
Apparently burning returns nutrients to the soil, so who knows? Thanks a lot Tootlepedal
The patio is coming a long great. As for the violet, I had a ‘violet burial’ today. One of my plants committed suicide, it’s a cold winter. Interesting enough the plant right beside it, is thriving.
I hope the plant survives, Bridget. Thank you very much
I have a stirring in my head that there might be a new law against the burning of moor tops but not sure of the reasons given.
The patio is looking good.
That may be so, Sue. Thanks very much
The law is in place in Northern England but not sure of the south. Lots of good reasons given.
I love that pot of primrose. Tiled garden…wow!
Thanks very much, Arlene
Martin has been very busy 🙂
Thanks very much, Rosaliene
The pavers look terrific…. Everything falling into place eh?
Indeed, Val. Thanks very much
Fire does a good job, but throws a lot of smoke into the air, not good for lungs.
The primroses on the table look beautiful! I am glad to hear they are set free in the garden afterwards.
Thank you very much, Lavinia
Love the primroses and Martin’s exquisite work. A forest drive and a pub dinner would make for a very fine day.
It was such a day, Pat. Thanks very much
The primroses are gorgeous!
Thanks very much, Jill
I’m wondering why the gorse is being cleared and if it will grow back. It would seem a tractor would be safer and healthier than burning, but that’s just a guess. The customary annual pot of primroses is a sweet tradition.
Have a look at shoreacre’s comments, JoAnna. Thanks very much
The pot of primroses is gorgeous with such detailed petals. My primroses grow back every year, but their petals do not have such fine features.
Thank you so much, Zakiah
I don’t know what gorse requires, but around here land managers often alternate burning and mowing. Each has its benefits, and especially when land restoration or preservation is the goal, decisions are made based on specific needs. Prescribed burns can restore nutrients to the soil, but mowing also allows additional sunlight to reach the soil and encourage the growth of diverse plants.
Thank you for this clarification, Linda
Life goes on, yet there are surprises everywhere. The tractor has elicited much interest – here too several landowners appear to have resorted to mechanical means of clearing rather than customary burning. Is there something in the air?
Could be, Anne. Thanks very much
I do hope that not too much gorse is destroyed, because it plays host to quite a few specialist species, not least Dartford Warbler and a good number of snakes and lizards. If the tractor replaces the fire, though, that’s a better way of doing it in my opinion.
I thought that better, too, John. The gorse is a great survivor. Thanks a lot
Such busy good workers today! Especially Martin!
The primroses are simply gorgeous! So delicate looking, but so bright and so bold!
Love the owl in your last photo!
(((HUGS))) ❤️
PS…
“Through primrose tufts, in that sweet bower,
The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;
And ’tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.” – William Wordsworth
Thank you very much, Carolyn. I like the quotation X
The pot of primroses are so beautiful!
Thank you very much, Aletta
I see I’ve commented on these posts. It is great you were able to save the pictures!!
Yes, GP. These are really for newer followers who won’t have seen the pictures first time
It doesn’t hurt for me to reboot my memory. I’ve always enjoyed your pictures and your poetic descriptions.
Between your post and the comments, especially Shoreacre’s, I learned a lot about gorse and clearing land. Always good to start the day learning something new.
Thank you so much, Laurie
The primroses are beautiful, and your photos show us so much about your place. Thank you.
Much appreciated, Lakshmi
The primroses are exquisite and the patio is shaping up nicely. Seems clearing land using a tractor would be safer than burning.
I’d say so, Eugi. Thanks very much
You’re welcome, Derrick.
Another productive day, I see. Saved recovered pictures, beautiful primroses, and a cleared field … always fun to travel vicariously with you. Hugs to you & Jackie 🫶🏼🤗🤗❤️
Thanks very much from us both, Jan XX
I remember the local farmer saying something about not being allowed to burn anymore.
Thanks very much, Gary
Your flower looks a lot like what we call African Violets.?
Martin’s work looks really great!
He is a real asset, Ribana. Thank you very much
HI Derrick, I was hoping you’d have a picture of the gorse. I always remember it from Enid Blyton’s many books but I’ve rarely seen pictures of it. The primrose is beautiful.
Try this post, Robbie: https://derrickjknight.com/2021/03/21/gorse-golf-course-heath-and-woodland-maintenance/ Thank you very much
Thanks for the link, Derrick. Appreciated.