Farm Life - hedges help in March weather by Roger Hill
Thank you for the very positive response to my last month’s article about hedges. It is good to know that you love the 33,000 miles of hedges in Devon as much as I do! The only grumble usually comes from visitors whilst driving along our country lanes, who find it frustrating that their views are obscured. Hedges are like natural motorways, allowing wildlife to travel along them without traversing open fields where they would be susceptible to predators. They also provide shelter for newborn lambs against any inclement weather that comes in March (pictured right). The month also signals the first signs of life for both animals and plants with buds emerging along with spring colours. There is a guide as to how to determine the age of a hedge. Measure 30 metres and for every species of shrub along it multiply by 100 and that is when it was approximately planted. After the Second World War, farmers were encouraged to grub out some hedges especially in the arable east of the country to increase food production. Thankfully here in the South West we retained the majority of our hedges and with the new Sustainable Farming Incentive grant scheme long may that continue. ‘Til next time, Roger #TuppertheTractor (website: tupperthetractor.com)
38
Contact Molton Monthly: 07484 290500 email: info@moltonmonthly.co.uk
