Gardens
Enjoy looking at the pictures and learning about the many activities and tasks that we carry out at Earthworks.
Site building and workshop
Erected in 2001 to replace the original wooden one which was destroyed by fire. It contains a tool store, kitchen area, wood stove and workshop benches at the rear. The battery store provides 24V lighting and is charged by a wind turbine and by the solar PV panel on the roof.
Market garden polytunnel
Our polytunnel was renovated and re-covered in 2002 to provide an intensive growing system for a wider range of organic horticultural produce which is sold on-site and at the monthly Farmers' Market in St. Albans (the second Sunday in the month). You can walk through our sheltered work area on very wet or cold days.
Large water butts
We 'harvest' rainwater for watering plants and store it in these large water butts, thus reducing our mains water consumption.
Green shade tunnels
If you walk through these you will see plants for sale, grown on site from seed and from cuttings. In the hot summer months the tunnels provide about 40% shade and reduces water lost through evaporation, again saving water.
The orchard
Planted at an Earthworks community event in 1996, the orchard contains 30 old varieties of fruit trees. Named varieties include Brownlees Russet, Bushey Grove and St. Albans! The trees are pruned and mulched every year, using our own compost.
Straw bale building
Started in 2004, the straw bale building has a reclaimed timber frame and part thatched roof. One wall is cob (clay/straw/sand) and the others will be plastered straw bales, which are highly insulating.
Log store
Here you'll find piles of logs for use in our own wood stove or for sale. All wood is tree surgery waste. Biomass (wood) is a sustainable fuel, provided we maintain the supply by re-planting trees, and is carbon-neutral.
Compost area
Here we compost all vegetation from the Earthworks site and some from the Contracts Team, apart from small branches which are burnt on the bonfire. Compost bins are numbered in the order they are filled and the ingredients mixed and turned 2 - 3 times a year. Horse manure is used as an activator and the compost is usually ready after six months.
Mixed native woodland
In 1996 400 native trees were planted. If you come to the site you can try to identify some common species. You should be able to find oak, ash, beech, hornbeam and horse chestnut. Log piles have been created to provide habitats for grass snakes, small mammals and over-wintering insects.
Charcoal burning
We have several charcoal 'burns' a month in converted steel oil drums. Small logs are added to a small fire of kindling and the full drum left to burn for 3 - 4 hours, gradually cutting off the air supply at top and bottom. A successful burn should yield three large bags of good quality lump wood charcol.
Wildlife pond
The pond was constructed in 1996 by Earthworks and Oaklands College students, this has a butyl rubber liner covered with gravel at the edges to protect it from ultra-violet light. It was stocked with native aquatic plants and has become a valuable habitat for many small animals. If you visit the site, try to spot newts, snails, pond skaters and water boatmen.
Bonfire
Here we burn anything - branches from our off-site work and other waste wood that we cannot use. The bonfire provides a highlight at our Halloween party.
Wildflower meadow
The meadow was sown in 1996 with various species of wildflowers, including ox eye daisy, clover, veronica sp. and vetch sp. It is cut mid to late summer and the cuttings raked over to spread the seeds before being removed for composting. It is a mainly summer meadow and attracts butterflies when the flowers are in full bloom.
Pole lathe
This has a springy pole and treadle mechanism and is used for green wood turning. We plan to produce simple spindle-turned products that can be used on site or sold at the St. Albans Farmers' Market e.g. dibbers and replacement handles for tools.
Reed beds
The reed beds were constructed in 1996 with help from Marlborough School students. The liquid from compost toilets and grey water from washing flows here through a series of three butyl rubber and gravel-lined tanks with reeds growing in them. The organic waste is broken down in the water, with the reeds taking out other impurities and toxins such as heavy metal.
Willow arch
The willow arch was planted in 2003 by pushing cuttings into the ground and then weaving them together. Spring shoots were then woven into the structure. Enjoy the shade given on a hot summer's day by this living, growing sculpture.
Burnt sculpture
Earthworks' very own modern art! Here are some burnt remains we kept from our first wooden site building, which was destroyed by fire in 2000.
Beach garden and underground vegetable store
Excavation for the underground vegetable store was started in 1998, with help from Marlborough School students. The concrete base and walls are topped by a strong wooden framed roof with plywood, roofing felt, plastic layers and then 6 inches of soil. Being underground, it keeps a fairly constant temperature: cool in summer and frost-free in winter, so it is good for storing vegetables all year. The beach garden makes an attractive entrance to the store.
Wind turbine
The 24 volt LVM Aero-6-gen wind turbine was erected in a disused street light pole in 1999. The wind turbine is linked to the 24V solar PV panel in a hybrid renewable energy system which charges batteries in the site builidng. If you come to Hixberry Lane, look at the control panel and display in the site building to see how it all works.
Allotments and tree nursery
The allotments enable us to grow more vegetables. The tree nursery grows native trees, such as oak, alder, beech, hazel, holly and willow which we use in local conservation projects and sell too other environmental organisations.
Ornamental pond and gardens
The gardens were planted in 1997 with mainly drought-resistant plants. Local functions are held on the lawn. You can walk up and inspect the dry river bed garden, which has made a real feature of the soil mound over the store.
Compost toilets
Trainees and volunteers constructed this in 1997/8. Solids collect in the lined pit of this long drop toilet and wood chippings are added. The mixture is broken down by micro bacteria, while liquids drain down to the reed bed system, together with 'grey' water from hand washing. When the solids are fully decomposed, they are used to mulch the fruit trees and vegetable beds.