Diary of a DOAM - April, May + June - Newhall Residents Association

CTW on Repeat Season (Cut, Tidy, Weed)

Spring has officially sprung, and the garden gang has been firing on all cylinders—hoes swinging, bowsers sloshing, and secateurs snapping. Over the past three months, we’ve battled the great green surge, wrestled wayward weeds, welcomed a new team member, and even paused to admire a gosling or two. Here’s your quarterly dose of behind-the-scenes brilliance from Team Majestic.

CTW on Repeat

April kicked off what we affectionately call CTW Season—Cut, Tidy, Weed—and honestly, it’s been a bit of a blur. With lawns growing like they’re powered by rocket fuel and hedges getting ideas well above their station, we’ve been working flat out to maintain the four-week rotation (give or take a rebellious shower or two).

By May, it felt like the hedges were hedging their bets and growing faster just to mess with us. And as for the grass? Let’s just say it was giving ‘jungle safari’ in places. Mowers at the ready, we did our best to restore order, one blade at a time.

Water, Water (Not) Everywhere

With the weather playing games, our trusty water bowser has been racking up more miles than a postie. In both April and June, we found ourselves praying for rain while working overtime to keep plants hydrated. When skies stayed dry, we stepped in with weekly watering rounds—and then upped it to twice a week by June.

Resident Tip: Please feel free to share your grey water! Leftover washing-up water (cooled, of course) or pasta water is great for your garden and the planet. Just make sure it’s not boiling—our plants like a hot bath as much as the next shrub, but not that hot.

Resident Note: You can find more information on how to harvest and reuse waste water to help water Newhall’s trees here: https://bit.ly/NewhallGardenandTreeCare

Deadheads & Bloom Patrol

The roses were on a mission this season—blooming wildly and demanding round-the-clock attention. Deadheading became something of a sport in May and June as we tried to stay one step ahead and keep those petals coming. The reward? A glorious floral display that would make the Chelsea Flower Show blush.

Tidy Fronts & Nest Watch

June saw a particular focus on keeping the frontages of homes neat and welcoming. Over near Teletubby Hill, the hedges had their first trim of the season—with extra care taken to avoid disturbing any nesting birds. We like our hedges neat, but not at the expense of our feathered friends.

Mystery of the Missing Rubbish

After months of bin-based battles, we’re pleased to report that fly-tipping and litter levels have finally started to behave. While not perfect, the reduction has made a noticeable difference—less rubbish means more time for actual gardening.

Resident Reminder: Please keep your household waste in the correct bins and avoid communal ones for large items. Foxes aren’t known for their bin etiquette, and they love a midnight rummage.

Resident Note: If you are a resident and need a bulky waste collection you can organise this through Harlow Council. TAP: https://bit.ly/HarlowBulkyWasteDisposal for more information and to book.
Alternatively you can book and take larger items to the Harlow Recycling Centre: TAP: https://bit.ly/HarlowRecyclingCentre for more information.

Pest Patrol: Leatherjackets

In April, we tackled a pesky leatherjacket infestation on The Lindens. It’s a finicky process (patience and persistence required), but we’re pleased to say we made excellent progress. Here’s hoping those lawns stay grub-free and green!

Welcome to Jeff!

June brought us a new set of hands (and a fresh pair of muddy boots). We’re thrilled to welcome Jeff to the team! He’s already made a fantastic start and jumped straight into the summer madness with enthusiasm and expertise.

Seasonal Highlights

Spring’s soundtrack? Birdsong! If you haven’t wandered through the reed beds behind Teletubby Hill lately, we strongly recommend it—it’s like walking through your very own nature documentary. And don’t forget the pond, where goslings and their fluffier friends have been making their seasonal debut.

Conclusion

So there you have it—three months of mud, mower lines, and magnificent blooms. As we roll into summer, the tools stay sharp, the bowsers stay busy, and the team stays sun-hatted and determined. Whether it’s battling weeds, rescuing roses, or politely negotiating with a hedgehog in the hedge, we’ll keep doing what we do best: keeping Newhall looking lovely.

Until next time, keep your watering cans handy and your compost heaps happy!

All the best – as always,

Louis, Majestic Head Gardener