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LIFE BEYOND THE MILITARY – OUTDOORS
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This month we’ve been focusing on hardwood cuttings and how the activity has many skills for our patients to practise.

November 30, 2023

This month as November draws to a close the temperature has finally dropped, and the frost has arrived. Surprisingly we have continued to use a lot of compost due to the amount of hardwood cuttings we have been doing prompting an earlier delivery from Southern Trident.  We have also met with Severn Trent and are hoping to organise 2 community volunteering days next year to support with painting our sheds and summerhouses.  The first Christmas wreath has been made as we move towards more seasonal crafts in the run up to Christmas.

Hardwood cuttings

We have been potting on a range of hardwood cuttings taken last year from Rose, Dogwood and Willow. Pruning plants has provided us with the opportunity to create more materials for hardwood cuttings and develop the understanding of the process of reusing waste plant materials. This is a good activity for upper limb function. Making accurate cuts is important and requires dexterity. These tend to be larger cuttings and plants so greater grip strength is required to handle them and to pot on. Following a process, correct sequencing, and recall of information to repeat the process is important to work on cognitive function.

Overwintering Dahlias

There are a number of stages involved in overwintering Dahlias. Lifting the Dahlias, cutting back and cleaning the tubers by rinsing off the soil before drying and potting in dry compost.

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Jane

HG adheres to the latest government and unit policy in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Hardwood cuttings.

1st patient Christmas Wreath.

Overwintering Dahlias.