Summer flower area
Some (many) of you will have cut your churchyard summer flower area by now. If not, where flowers are still in bloom (despite the heat) they will continue to feed pollinators so do cut round them for the moment. Also, think about leaving some margins uncut to provide shelter for small escaping creatures, although you should already have a permanently uncut area too.
Flower identification
I hope you have been involved in identifying the flowers and plants you have seen this year and are building up a list. The charity Caring for God's Acre provide a downloadable spotters guide - The Burial Ground Botanical Companion (cost £2.50) - if you need help.
Scything
A few churches have scythed their summer flower area again this year. If you want to have a go, the Cambridgeshire Scything Workgroup can offer help and demonstrations. It's great fun. Email Mike at Cambs.scything@gmail.com
Disposal of grass cuttings
Adding cuttings to the nettle patch, as well as the compost, will help enrich it and nettles love nutrient rich soil, which in turn will feed the caterpillars of several species of butterflies and moths e.g. red admiral, peacock and small tortoiseshell.
Award winners!
Congratulations to St Mary's in Little Abington who achieved the Bronze Churchyard Conservation Award last month. A particular attractive feature in their churchyard is the way old grave sets are used for pollinator friendly herbs and other plants.
Finally, please let me know if you would like an advisory or judging visit. Updates on progress are always welcome and thank you to those who do regularly contact me - it would be good to hear from others too.
Diana Cook
Diana.Cook@wildlifebcn.org
Co-ordinator, Cambridgeshire Churchyard Conservation Award