Every drop counts - helping our young orchard beat the heat!
Our new rainwater harvesting structure!
Back in March, we planted our very first community orchard at Lords Mead in Chippenham where more than 30 fruit trees found a new home.
After a cool spring, the weather swung dramatically, bringing record-breaking temperatures and week after week with very little or no rainfall. For newly planted trees, the first few years are critical. Regular watering doesn't just keep them alive – it helps establish strong root systems so they can grow into healthy, resilient trees that provide fruit, shade and habitat for decades to come. The recent heatwaves really put our new orchard at risk.
Fortunately, our volunteers and local residents have risen to the challenge!
Throughout the hot weather, they have made regular trips to the orchard with containers filled with water at home and the nearby Lords Mead allotment. With more than 30 thirsty young trees to care for, this is no small undertaking, and we're incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped keep the orchard thriving! Thank you!!
We’ve also topped up a thick mulch of woodchip around the base of each tree that will help retain vital moisture in the soil, being careful not to pile it up against the trunks as this can cause problems as it decays.
Capturing rainwater on-site
This week, we took an important step towards making the orchard more resilient by installing a fantastic on-site rainwater harvesting system.
Thanks to funding from Chippenham Town Council, we've created a simple but effective system capable of capturing and storing up to 2,000 litres of rainwater to help keep the orchard watered during future dry spells.
The structure consists of a timber frame supporting a corrugated roof, which channels rainwater through guttering into two black IBC storage tanks. The tanks are black to prevent algae growth, keeping the stored water in good condition until it's needed.
The biggest challenge during the installation? The weather!
We had to wait until the worst of the heatwave had passed before getting started, but even then it was hard work under the hot summer sun. Sun hats, plenty of sun cream and lots of drinking water kept our volunteers going as they worked together to complete the entire installation in just a day and a half. A huge thank you to everyone who lent a hand!
Why harvest rainwater?
Rainwater is ideal for watering plants. It's naturally soft, completely free and reduces the demand for treated drinking water, making it a win for both the orchard and the environment.
The only catch is that we have to wait for it to rain!
Fortunately, the weather seemed to approve of our efforts. Just two hours after tightening the final screw, the heavens opened and the new structure was christened by a torrential downpour. Seeing the tanks begin to fill almost immediately felt like perfect timing. We're taking it as a very good omen.
Building resilience for a changing climate
As our climate changes, we're seeing hotter summers, longer dry spells and more frequent extreme weather. Adapting to these changes doesn't always require complex solutions. Sometimes it's about practical, local projects that make communities more resilient.
We hope our orchard can become a demonstration site for sustainable gardening and inspire others to install their own rainwater harvesting systems, whether that's a large storage tank or simply a water butt connected to a garden shed.
As the orchard grows, the trees themselves will also become part of the solution. They'll provide cooling shade, improve biodiversity, absorb carbon and create a welcoming green space for people and wildlife alike.
What's next?
Our work at Lords Mead community orchard is far from finished. Over the coming months we'll be repairing the main access gate and installing new signage and interpretation boards, to make it even easier for local residents to discover the orchard and get involved.
Watch this space, and if you'd like to lend a hand looking after the trees, we'd really love to hear from you! Please send us a message via our contact form to find out more.
You can also find out more about the community orchard.
