Landscape charity Friends of the Lake District has put out a call for volunteers for a mass plug planting day on Monday, March 14.

The planting will take place in High Borrowdale which is situated in a place once described by Wainwright as "the most beautiful valley outside the Lake District." It has since been incorporated into the Lake District as part of an extension in 2016. 

The charity is calling on volunteers to plant 6000 plants in the upland hay meadows to create more diversity in the summer months. 

Jan Darrall, Friends of the Lake District land manager said: "Thousands of people have had the pleasure of seeing our hay meadows, totalling 6ha and 20 years on, we think it’s well past time to add a bit more diversity and colour to the mix.

"We need lots of hands on deck to help plant wood cranesbill, melancholy thistle, greater burnet, meadow vetchling, common knapweed and pignut. There are no skills needed to help us plant, just enthusiasm and a trowel.

"It should be great fun and we can guarantee every volunteer a warm welcome, fresh air and the opportunity to help us add an extra splash of colour to our uplands this summer. We will have having another big planting session in May if you can’t make this one, why not join us for both."

It’s been 20 years since the charity created the meadows at High Borrowdale. 97% of these upland hay meadows had been lost due to changing farming practices, so the charity bucked the trend in re-creating them on its land and taking a long term view about the diversity of our upland landscapes.

They provide a fantastic habitats for wildlife, especially pollinators, invertebrates and birds. The plant roots are good for moisture retention and soil health, and their rougher texture means they can also play a part in slowing the flow of overland water.

For more information please visit: www.friendsofthelakedistrict.org.uk.