Our dedicated volunteers gathered once again at the serene Japanese Garden of Peace in Hammersmith Park last Sunday, continuing our mission to maintain and enhance this beautiful space. This time, we focused on a variety of tasks, making significant strides in several key areas of the garden and sending another 6 ton bags full of cuttings and weeds back to the yard to turn into compost.
Here are a few before/after pictures, and you can find more details about all the tasks our Volunteers dedicated themselves to below. There's a little surprise with wings towards the end, so it's worth scrolling!
Battling Bamboo Regrowth
Loppers in hand, we revisited the areas where we pruned bamboo last month. The regrowth was quite strong, and our volunteers worked hard to remove the new shoots. Despite our efforts, it’s clear that this will be an ongoing task. The bamboo’s resilience means we’ll need to continue this battle in the next month to try and keep the growth in check. It's going to be hard work, but we're ready for it!
Pushing the Iris back
Our volunteers also tackled the iris plants that had begun to spread from the pond into the nearby grass area. By removing these plants, we’ve helped to maintain the clear lines and open spaces that are characteristic of the garden’s design. This ensures that the grassy areas remain accessible and visually appealing.
Rescuing the Red Acer
One of our key tasks was to free our prized red acer from the grasp of the overgrown Carex. This beautiful tree is one of the jewels of the garden, and it was being engulfed by the aggressive Carex growth. Our volunteers carefully removed the plants, allowing the acer to once again take centre stage in its dominant position by the bridge.
Tackling Pond Weeds
In and around the ponds, volunteers removed a significant amount of weeds, including some Great Water Dock. This effort not only improves the appearance of the ponds but also helps to maintain the health of the aquatic ecosystem. The clear, weed-free water now provides a better environment for wildlife and a more pleasant view for visitors. But it's not just about human visitors: many birds immediately took advantage of the cleaned stones on the lateral waterfall to take a quick, refreshing, bath! Have a look for yourself!
Looking Ahead
Our work in the Japanese Garden is ongoing, and each session helps us to achieve our goal of preserving this beautiful space for all to enjoy. We’re already planning our next volunteer day, where we will continue to focus on maintaining the health and beauty of the garden.
A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to this session. Your contributions are vital to our mission, and we look forward to seeing you next month as we continue our work in the Japanese Garden of Peace.
Stay tuned for more updates and opportunities to get involved in preserving this tranquil oasis in Hammersmith Park!
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