OiB have been maintaining an insect-friendly bed in Wharfemeadows for more than 10 years. The idea is to provide food for insects from February to November. This time we needed to clear up from winter damage, though this year we will probably need to replant some of this bed in the autumn. If you want to add an insect-friendly bed to your own garden look at this pdf which was originally posted by the RHS. Our bed holds hellebore, primrose, snowdrops, rudbeckia, lavender, fox gloves, viburnum and more.
The 2000 daffodils we planted on the grass south of the river from Wharfemeadows continue to appear each spring.
10 people 2 tonnes of compost, many hands make light work
2022 saw OiB and other organisations take over four beds in the park. The first year was tough. We discovered that the soil was completely without organic material having been used to hold short term plantings for many years. The summer started with a drought, followed by a hose pipe ban and by autumn we knew what we had to do, which was to spread two tonnes of compost over the whole area.
Despite the cold it was a very sunny day which made the process a lot of fun.
Then began the weeding as time and time again small seeds erupted into life, this is going to be a long process so if anyone feels they can help please let us know.
It was great to get back to making Christmas OiB decorations in a member’s house in preparation for the festival. This year we wanted to give the kids of Otley small collections of sun flower seeds that they could plant for next summer. We try to package sunflower seeds in something (preferably compostable) to make it interesting and, as in other years, we ask the kids to take these seeds from the tree and then we replace them each day. Income from this work went to Horticap (who provide adults with learning and other disabilities training in horticulture, allied crafts and rural skills) and was worth £123.61 . All thanks to the generosity of the people of Otley.
The last 3 months has been a steep learning curve. The soil in the beds has proven to have poor water retaining properties. We have tried to develop beds that show that any gardener can maintain a garden with very insect-friendly plantings without having to move completely over to a wildflower planting.
Watering and weeding has proven to be a major part of looking after these beds, which we expect to reduce in coming years as we build up the organic material in the beds and remove weed seed.
These beds are buzzing, full of colour and being enjoyed by local families.
Many thanks to those who stopped to talk and discuss the plants, also lots of thanks to those who have helped water and weed.
Inner Wheel Club of Otley Chevin supports Otley in Bloom
Way back in January, the members of Otley Chevin Inner Wheel Club voted to support a Community effort as their contribution to Inner Wheel Day. They approached the Otley in Bloom Committee, who were taking over some of the beds in Wharfemeadows Park because Leeds Parks. did not have the funds to continue to plant these up. Four beds have been taken over by Otley in Bloom and filled with perennial plants, almost 20 different varieties, including Cornflowers, Scabious, Lavender, Geraniums, Echinacea, Crocosmia, Hellebores, Salvias and Sedums, in addition to spring flowering bulbs.
Members gathered in the park to learn about the choice of plants, which were attracting many bees, to hear about the plan for the beds and to present a cheque to Penny Rhodes from the Otley in Bloom in support of the project. The photo shows President Pam Beck presenting the cheque, accompanied by members of the Otley Chevin Club, in front of one of the beds in the park.
Otley in Bloom 