Written October 30th 2022: Our permaculture project is located in Southern Snowdonia, North Wales,st the foothills of Cadar Idris. Instagram @permaculture_orchard We are slowly renovating a 2.2 acre orchard & terrace garden which had been left unmanaged for more than 50 years. The Orchard part of the area includes 17 very old apple trees & 3 pear trees which we think were planted aroound 1870 when Penmaenuchaf Hall was built as a large private house (now an upmarket hotel) by a wealthy chap called Charles Reynolds Williams on a site previously known by the English name Cliff House. I have been slowly (& gently) pruning the old fruit trees over a period of 4 years. They were in a very sorry state when we first bought the site, with ivy completely covering the canopies, lots of dead branches, fallen limbs & lots of mistletoe (which I quite like!) I have also removed lots of brambles from the ground around the old fruit trees & sown a wildflower mix of shade loving wildflowers. An area next to the old orchard now includes the beginnings of a Forest Garden. I have planted the top canopy & shrub layers & these are starting to become more substantial now they're in their second & third year of growing. More layers still to be planted. I have been sheet mulching with cardboard & straw & woodchippings. Now I have been establishing a wild lawn area between the new forest garden & the old orchard, I have been strimming the lawn & also using the clippings as a mulch on the forest garden beds. The area also includes a 5 terraces which were very uneven & overgrown with ground elder, self sown trees such as Ash & : 1- Raised beds for annual vegetables, pond & willow fedge 2- Polytunnel 3- Outdoor kitchen 4- One day we will have raised beds for annual & perennials 5- Orchard cabin (accomodation) fire area & one day we will have more forest garden planting We have a lower terrace which is still very overgrown with self sown Ash, Willow & Sycamore which will eventually have more forest garden planting & a classroom.
Member projectWhen the project started: 2018Summary: Renovating a 160 year old, formerly abandoned Orchard & creating a Forest GardenContact Name: Vikki HannamTelephone number: 07976746146Email: Contact person by emailIf you would like visits, how should people arrange their visit?: Via emailSustainable transport options: Bus stops in Penmaenpool Train station is Morfa Mawddach Fantastic bike trails nearbyCategory: Forest gardensEmotional Well-beingReading the landscapeGeofield: POINT (-3.9290307 52.7477153)Postal address: The Coach House Penmaenpool Dolgellau LL401YB United KingdomMap icon: Type of project: Private (visits by arrangement only)Physical Elements/Features: BeesCompost toiletsForest gardenWildlife meadowsWoodlandServices/Activities: CampingVisits (by arrangement)VolunteeringWoodland managementWorkshopsImage: Instagram: https://www.permaculture.org.uk/permaculture_orchard- Log in to post comments