Today our team of volunteers ushered in the first breath of spring with a day of maintenance and improvements at the Japanese Garden of Peace in Hammersmith Park. Amid the budding sakura trees - the cherry blossoms adding a sense of renewal and vibrancy - we focused on several key areas that needed our attention. Here’s a closer look at the work we accomplished, marking a promising start to the year. Reviving the Pond
Our first major task was tackling the pond’s blanket algae problem. The effort was substantial, but through teamwork, we cleared away a good chunk of the algae, setting the stage for the pond’s next phase of care. In collaboration with the Council, we plan to introduce a bacterial treatment soon, aiming to maintain the pond’s clarity and health, reducing future maintenance needs. This move is expected to allow us to dedicate more time to other garden areas. Before and after pictures are above - it might not look like there's a lot of difference, but here's a video of all the piles of algae we had pulled out by the end of the session...
Quite some, isn't it? We hope that these (safe for wildlife and plants) bacteria will now help clear up the rest. It will take some time for the effect to be seen, but we're really hopeful this will be a game-changer for us and the Garden!
Making our bamboo look even better
We also gave considerable attention to the garden's bamboo. By trimming back and removing unhealthy growth, we enhanced the appearance of the bamboo areas. We've also cut all the lower leaves to make the stems stand out even more, something that aligns us with traditional Japanese garden standards. This not only tidied up the garden but also opened up new sightlines, making the area feel more inviting and secure. Plenty more bamboo to thin out in the Garden, it's something that hasn't been done in quite some time, but seeing the difference it's made in this area gives us all the determination we need to do the same everywhere else!
Fighting the bamboo invasion
As you might know already, bamboo loves to grow a lot and it takes some serious work to keep it under control. When things do get a bit out of hand, then stems pop up everywhere and can get quite invasive. This was the case for a specific area by the waterfall where it had encroached upon the spaces meant for other plants. Our brave volunteers made their way through and, although we had to say goodbye to some smaller plants that had sadly died off, there's now ample room for the remaining ones to prosper. Our job here is not done yet and we'll continue the clean-up next month. We'll also consult with the Council regarding the care of some trees that got very leggy while struggling for light - probably too late to prune them back this year, but something to keep in mind for the future.
A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Volunteers
The progress made during this first session of the year wouldn’t have been possible without our dedicated volunteers. Their hard work has significantly improved the Japanese Garden of Peace, ensuring it remains a tranquil and beautiful space for all. The presence of Sakura trees, in full bloom, added an extra layer of beauty to our efforts, reminding us of the cycle of renewal and the promise of new beginnings.
Want to join us next month? We run gardening sessions every month from March to October. There's plenty to do and more hands are always welcome! You can have a look and sign up for our future session here!
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