Another mini forest takes root over weekend

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

About 60 people, from youngsters to pensioners, descended on the overflow parking area at Elgin Park last Saturday to begin a new mini forest.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Uxbridge and headed by Michael Banh, the mini forest covers about 300 square metres along the edge of the Elgin Park forest.

Joined as well by several members of council, the volunteers prepared the ground for the actual planting, which will take place in October. Layers of cardboard were laid down and mounds of wood chips and organic soil were heaped over the top.

Ingrid Janssen, a member of Durham Master Gardeners and Little Forests Durham, said the fall planting will see plants densely situated on the patch, explaining that dense planting makes the plants grow faster. The mini forest will also be planted in layers to increase biodiversity.

The Elgin Park mini forest is the latest started by the Rotarians.Two mini forests have already been established at the Fields of Uxbridge and another (consisting of three separate plots) at the King Street parkette.

Janssen said the success of the mini forest is determined by the survival rate of the plants.