North Herefordshire holiday business increases commitment to environmental activities producing 30 tonnes of leaf mould for its parks.
Discover Parks benefits from the unspoilt countryside of North Herefordshire & Mid Wales borders and in recognition of this the company strive to look after their environment. A succession of David Bellamy Awards across their 5* parks at Shobdon, Eardisland & Presteigne are clearly testament to that; caring for the flora & fauna and creating natural habitats for wildlife and birds that frequent the parks.
Their mulching project has been growing larger each year and provides a highly sustainable eco friendly product that is implemented across the parks. ‘If you’re lucky enough to have rambled through our 15 acres of woodlands at Pearl Lake Country Holiday Park then you’ll probably have wondered what on earth we’re creating amongst the ancient hardwoods.” says maintenance team manager Mark Whittal.
“An ever-growing mountain of leaves is mulching away quietly with the occasional intervention of our team. We’re creating leaf mould or mulch as we like to call it, how amazing is that!”
Mulch is created from leaves that break down by the slow action of fungi rather than bacteria that decomposes other compost bin ingredients. Autumn leaves are collected from across the Discover Parks sites and brought into the woods at Pearl Lake Shobdon, where they’re tipped onto the ever-growing mound. It’s takes around 3 years to create decent mulch during which time it’s turned and mixed to help the process along.
Leaf mulch has a myriad of uses and is a superb natural option compared to many other types of mulch. It not only protects the earth from the cold and enriches the soil with growth promoting nutrients but keeps it hydrated, attracting earthworms & many other useful organisms. Baring in mind there are vast areas of parkland to look after (Pearl Lake, Arrow Bank & Rockbridge) and keep smart for all the holiday home owners and touring visitors, this valuable product is perfect for use in the gardens, on the wonderful flower beds & tubs and as weed control under the new hedge rows that are being planted.
It’s environmentally friendly and involves no buying in, digging up rich pasture to gain soil from elsewhere and has zero air miles. “We’re very proud of our leaf mulch mountain at Discover Parks’’ Mark Whittal.
(Image – Joe from maintenance team who looks after gardens/flowers plus mulch mountain at various stages in Pearl Lake woods.)