Blooming Hard Work in the Royal Pavilion Garden

It’s been a very busy start to the year for the Garden team.

Preparation began this week for laying the new turf on the East Lawn after the removal of the Ice Rink in January. The ground is allowed a period of rest before the compacted earth is readied for the planting of the new lawn.

A rotavator has been used to break up and turn the soil, which will create a looser bed and better drainage for the newly laid lawn and its roots.

The rotavator in use on the East Lawn of the Royal Pavilion Garden to loosen the compacted soil

A rotavator used to turn the soil on the East Lawn of the Royal Pavilion Garden

The holes left by the path of the rotavator as it breaks up the soil

East Lawn of the Royal Pavilion prepared for new turf

This year the turf is a 25-metre roll in hope that it’s longer length will deter the persistent seagulls from picking at the corners and pulling up the turf for worms. They have perfected the art of breaking the strong biodegradable plastic pegs holding down the ends, ripping a corner section of the turf and dunking it into the pond to release the worms. The current brown state of the (recently cleaned) pond water and numerous bird feathers are testament to their greedy activities.

Pegs secure the corners of the freshly lain turf

A grass peg alongside two peg tops broken by seagulls

A grass peg alongside peg tops broken by seagulls

The pond with seagull feathers in the brown soiled water

Once lain, the new turf will need to rest to allow for the rooting process. If the weather is favourable, the lawn will be ready by the end of March, but cold roots don’t take to the ground as well, so it could be longer.

Whilst this area of the Garden is fenced off, Head Gardener Rob and his team are busy renovating. You may have noticed the Balustrade wall, built in 1921, is completely visible for the first time in 15 years. They have removed an incredible four tonnes of biomass along the wall to open up the front of the Garden for a picture-perfect look at the Pavilion.

The Balustrade wall of the Royal Pavilion Garden revealed

The team are also tackling a corner of the lawn notorious for anti-social behaviour. 15 years’ worth of rubbish has been removed and overgrown landscape cut, accumulating in three of the 1100 litre bins full of rubbish and another 4-5 tonnes of biomass. This allows access to the large menacing dead tree covered in ivy, which is planned for removal before the weight of the ivy brings it down on the lawn below.

A tree chipper will be brought in for this space, it will be loud, but it will be worth it for nutrient recycling of the older greenery. Already evidence of life has been unearthed that was unknown to us, fox holes, new plants and small palm trees are dotted around the dead tree. In time everything will grow and will offer protection to the fox hole once more.

The corner of the lawn which has been renovated, the dead tree stands centre covered in ivy

The corner of the lawn which has been renovated, the dead tree stands to the left covered in ivy

The dead tree covered in ivy

A fox hole uncovered during the renovation

A small palm tree uncovered during the renovation

As well as the environmental and social benefit of the renovation of this troublesome area, it has allowed the extension of the original Nash view of the Royal Pavilion.

It is an angle to admire which hasn’t been seen in 15 years.

Thank you to the Garden team for all their hard work in revealing this stunning view once more.