Green Roof Recipe.
Ingredients:
Coarse Sand
Vermiculite
Peat Free Compost
Former roof turf soil
White Clover Seed
Water
Grit
Netting
Several Southern Group Volunteers
Ample supplies of cake
Method:
Volunteers mix together sand, vermiculite, compost and add to roof. Add further layer of sand. Sow with Clover seed. Cover with soil. Scatter with grit. Water well. Staple netting to entire roof. Sustain Volunteers with cake.
Result:
Seed should germinate and Hide will have a new Green Roof. ( serves: countless pollinators)
Such was our recipe on Saturday for the latest Hide Roof Work Party. Ian Costain had been working tirelessly recently to bring all the necessary elements of this task together, aided now and again by members of the Committee and fellow volunteer, Peter. Out of a seemingly bottomless trailer came scaffolding, ladders, buckets, tote bags, dustbins and tools. Soon, under Ian's direction, we were shoveling and barrowing sand to the hide and mixing it in tote bags and barrows ready to pass up in buckets via a "chain gang" to the roof. By 11.30 we were at the seed sowing stage but broke for refreshments to enjoy someone else's recipes and a hot drink.
Ian was shooting to his feet to get started once more when he was persuaded to sit again for an important announcement. We suspected a milestone birthday had been celebrated recently and in recognition of this and all his work "beyond the call of duty" work party friends were very pleased to present a small gift and card. We refrained from the usual refrain ( much to Ian's relief) but did give him a big round of applause. Then it was back to work to get the job finished by lunch time.
While 8 volunteers concentrated on helping Ian, 2 more were busy independently doing other necessary jobs. Carrie has become adept at weeding the boardwalk and Wendy cut back brambles near the ash trees ( a job normally done by 3 or 4 people), later kindly transporting the debris to the tip for us. Less sociable jobs than the team work by the hide perhaps, but I hope they enjoyed the peace, the bird song and the sunshine.
Better than a work-out - all that bending and lifting - I suspect there were a few aching muscles later but also a lot of satisfaction at jobs well done. Hopefully the roof will not leak again in the foreseeable future and we can turn our thoughts to the next job for October. Here are a few photos of our efforts.
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loading barrow with sand
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transporting sand to hide
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mixing done in hide at first as quite windy
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later we found mixing in the barrow easier
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adding all the "ingredients"
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loading a bucket
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waiting for the mix
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as one comes down another goes up
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bending and stretching - all good exercise!
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the -nth bucketful goes aloft
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starting to look quite full
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spreading
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tamping down
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and smoothing
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we added some Self heal and Lesser Trefoil
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once seed and grit added on went the netting
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all stapled in place
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meanwhile the boardwalk was being weeded
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and the brambles cut back
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ah! a nice cuppa at last!
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relaxing in the sunshine
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time for a chat
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Ian opens his card
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Ink caps spotted along the barrow path
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A huge thank you to everyone who has helped over the weeks on this
major roofing task. You were all vital cogs in a wheel. Especial thanks
to Ian and to Peter, his right hand man through this, without you both
this task would have ended in roofing felt! We look forward to watching
the bees and other pollinators enjoying your handiwork next spring. One was already waiting on the tool shed door while we were working!
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Ancistrocerus species Mason Wasp SC209694
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With thanks to Steve Crellin for the Wasp identification.
