The Lemon Grove was purchased in 2000 and was a productive grove, though some trees were large
and overgrown. The grove was devastated by Ice in 2003-4 and has never recovered; partly due to
lack of funds and partly to recurring winter frosts.
Phase 1
- Find Team leader with tools and time for the land clearance work - March to April 2009
- Agree Cost - April 2009
- Agree Timescale for work and payment plan - April 2009
- Ensure adequate funds, indentify stages of work if necessary - April to August 2009
- Monitor work, amending deadlines if necessary due to weather etc. Final burning may not be until Winter 2009-10
- Completion of land clearance- By Spring 2010
- Phase 2 - House renovation. Plan 2010-2011
phase 1 update April 2009
The first stage work completed in April 2009 has dealt with issues 1 - 6 of the "present
state of the land" and
Requirements list
made in 2008. Although the idea of using such a heavy-handed method of reclaiming the land seemed alien,
opening up vistas within the grove will enhance, rather than detract from it's beauty, once
smaller plants re-colonise the cleared areas.
The First to be cleared was the 2 strema of flat land above the lemon grove. This has been levelled
and shrubby growth removed, so that the three remaining trees become features and the southerly
view from the summer house is clear.
In front of "Ithakh" (the summer house) trees have been removed from the original tractor
access area on the North side of the building, while excess soil from the formation of a new,
gently sloping, road to the south has been piled against the bank on the east side of the house.
A future stage of the project may be to put a retaining wall here.
Although the use of large, earth-moving machinery is expensive, the difference it makes in
a short time is well worth it! The machinery was brought by lorry to a place close to the site; then unloaded,
making the remaining journey under its own power. Work was completed in two days.
A number of olive trees and some deciduous trees, will benefit from the more open aspect
of the grove. The large olive tree on the bank has not been harvested for four years. About 100 citrus trees remain, some of which bear lemons, while others bear bitter orange
fruit but have been retained because of the exceptional fragrance of their flowers, and the attraction to,
bees and other wildlife.
Although the grove overall has been devastated, some trees are likely to benefit from increased light and air.
These include a Kumquat tree by the stream and mandarin trees closer to the summer house.
It may be necessary to plant some other native trees to enhance the new grove, and if so they will be chosen
carefully to withstand the micro-climate.
At the end of the main flowering season in May, the grove will be tilled, though burning of the
uprooted trees will have to wait until Winter. Future years should see a greater abundance and variety of
plants as the natural species of the area re-colonise the ground. It is intended that some land will be left
untilled, possibly on a rotating basis, so that bienniel and perennial plants will
flourish along with bulbs and annuals.