February 2011
My name is Maria Precedo and I am the new Charge Gardener for Green Street.
I also look after South Street Garden and Halkin Street Garden.
During the summer, I realised one of the tasks that had to be a weekly priority was to ‘weed’ the pond! In warmer weather, the Blanketweed is very rapid in its proliferation and turns the water to candyfloss in a short time span – as little as two or three weeks. Now, in the depths of winter, long term plans can begin to take place…
The focus this winter is planting up gaps in various borders and regaining symmetry in the corner beds of the lawns. Those in the heaviest shade under the London Plane trees appear most problematic and may be trickiest to re-establish. The central beds will also be partially replanted; the Rudbeckia which does not cope well with dry weather is to be replaced with Achillea and Perovskia will take the place of the patchy Miscanthus grass.
The lawns are also due for repair in the coming months. The muddy bold spots that can be seen on two of the lawns are a symptom of compaction and need aeration and re-greening.