Members of the environmental group, Transition Marlborough, braved the aftermath of Storm Arwen to plant a 1000 spring crocus bulbs in the Diamond Jubilee plantation of orchard trees on Frees Avenue today, Sunday November 28. As well as providing a carpet of spring colour, the flowers will be essential food for queen bumble bees as they emerge from hibernation in the spring. The group was also celebrating their Marlborough in Bloom ‘Thriving’ award for the Bee Roadzz campaign.
Milly Carmichael told Marlborough.news, “Transition Marlborough have taken on the management of the community orchard site and it’s essential that we improve the bio-diversity by ensuring that there is enough food for our pollinators when they come out of hibernation in early spring. The crocus bulbs will provide early spring flowers and offer breakfast for the queen bees. They are carefully chosen bulbs which have been grown with no pesticides.
Today is also a rather poignant day for us. We are remembering our dear friend and Transition treasurer, Alexandra Wax, who died last month. The last time we saw her was here in late September when we planted wildflower plug plants and yellow rattle seed together.”
Milly Carmichael says that the group is very appreciative of donations which have helped fund the purchase of the bulbs and earlier in the year, seed and plants. One of the donors, Garden Designer, Capability Charlotte joined the group for the crocus planting today.
Transition Marlborough welcomes anyone who wants to be involved with anything apple-related – or other TM projects. For more information, visit the website here.
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