Planting plots

During April 2022 we planted identical plot trials at Bishop Burton College in East Yorkshire and Myerscough College in Lancashire. This involved a fair bit of mud, digging holes, scrabbling around on hands and knees, measuring out and eating flapjack. And a huge amount of team work.

Fragments of biochar in the soil
One of our agronmic treatments involves incorporating biochar into soil.
First we dig a lot of holes in the ground. This involves glamorous wellies and often a lot of mud…
Miscanthus plug before planting
Miscanthus plug before planting
Treading in the Miscanthus plugs
Treading in the Miscanthus plugs.
Miscanthus plug plant in the ground.
Miscanthus plug plant in the ground.
Laying mulch film over newly planted Miscanthus plugs. This increases the temperature around the plug and helps retain moisture.
Miscanthus plug immediately after film laying.
Miscanthus plug immediately after film laying. After a month or two, the Miscanthus breaks through the (biodegradable) film.
Miscanthus rhizome with a shoot emerging
Miscanthus rhizome with a new shoot emerging. We planted two types of Miscanthus as plugs, and one as rhizome.
planting willow by hand
Planting willow plots by hand. The coloured ribbons on the chains mark both the position the rod is to be planted in, and which willow variety
Miscanthus at the end of a rainbow
Miscanthus at the end of the rainbow…
Installing gas collars. Gas sampling equipment will be sealed on to this to take regular measurements of nitrous oxide emissions from soil.
Installing gas collars. Gas sampling equipment will be sealed on to this to take regular measurements of nitrous oxide emissions from soil.
Plots at Bishop Burton after planting
Plots at Bishop Burton after planting. It will look completely different after a couple of months.
Aerial view of plot trials at Myersough College
Plot trials at Myerscough College as seen from the air just after planting..