Cockle Park Farm Site plan
March 2024 – Cockle Park Farm Demonstrator Hub Update
All is looking good at Cockle Park Farm. There’s been lots of activity throughout March and we are looking forward to seeing the results of our labour now that Spring is here.
Crop Diaries
Click on the titles below to find out how each of the crops are progressing.
Alder
- Most of the SRF alder plants have buds.
- Some of the plants have green leaves.
- There have been no disease or pest issues.
- All plants have been ringed with the Herbidome 350.
- Gapping has been carried out where necessary.
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- SRF alder at Cockle Park Farm, March 2024
Black Locust
- The SRF black locust ‘Turbo’ plants are now starting to grow. Some deer/hare damage has been found. All plants have been ringed using the Herbidome 350.
- The SRF black locust ‘Turbo Obelisk’ plants have been removed. Glyphosate has been applied to the plot and it has been marked out ready for re-planting.
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- Black Locust ‘Turbo Obelisk’
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- Black Locust ‘Turbo’
Eucalyptus
- The SRF Eucalyptus plants are still green.
- There have been no pest or disease issues.
- The plants have been ringed using the Herbidome 350.
- Some leaves have been damaged by winds.
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- Eucalyptus at Cockle Park Farm, March 2024
Poplar
- Buds have started to appear on the SRF poplar. No disease has been found, but deer/hare damage has been seen. The plants have been ringed using the Herbidome 350.
- Buds have also started to appear on the SRC poplar. No disease issues have been found, but again there has been some deer/hare damage noticed. Glyphosate has been applied in line.
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- SRC Poplar
Miscanthus
- After the winter senescence, green shoots are now appearing in the 0.5 ha Miscanthus giganteus plot. There has been no herbicide application as we don’t want to risk it now that the plants are no longer dormant.
- We are still waiting to re-plant the 0.5 ha Miscanthus Athena plot as the ground is still too wet for any glyphosate application or cultivation.
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- Miscanthus giganteus
Willow
- The 0.5 ha SRC willow is starting to produce buds and catkins.
- Hare and deer damage have been seen.
- There has been no herbicide application yet.
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- SRC Willow
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- SRC Willow
Plans and Actions
- The Miscanthus Athena will be re-planted once the ground dries.
- Black locus ‘Turbo Obelisk’ is to be re-planted.
