February 2023

FEBRUARY 2023

             We are busy preparing for the growing season at Windmill Gardens.  Over the winter, James and his volunteers have been repairing the raised beds and we have started creating more lower beds in the middle allotment.  Unfortunately, James has had to leave us for other work, but Anna, Connor and Bryn are carrying on with the repairs under Tracey’s watchful eye.

 

  The wildlife pond has filled with water and is looking good, but still needs more planting, which we will do as soon as the ice melts and plants are available.  Unusually for this time of year, the water table is low, so we can carry on making a willow fence and other obstacles to prevent children falling in.  There is also a small bog garden next to the pond, below some large willows, with more wetland plants. This area is now connected to the original allotments with a bridge style ramp to allow wheelchair access.

Wildlife Pond

Wheelchair Ramp

  Growing Forward have added a small polytunnel in the area to the left of this photo and are planning new activities for the coming year.  Vic has left for a new job and has been replaced by Rachel, an experienced community gardener.  Some of their ex clients have become involved with the main gardens and one of them – Becky, is helping to organise another art event in July.  Assia too has been really involved, particularly helping James with woodwork and volunteering at events.

  We had a major loss in a storm last autumn.  A freak gust of wind blew through the allotments, knocking down a wall and our mighty Eucalyptus tree. It also damaged a Contorted Willow nearby and part of our fence.  Fortunately the allotment committee were on the job straight away and cleared most of the timber, leaving us with this stump and a large log to make into a bench.  To be honest. it was a blessing in disguise as the tree was blocking light from the south.

Eucalyptus stump

  One big change at Windmill is that we can now be warm in winter, thanks to our super shed and this great woodburning stove:

It is super-efficient and doesn’t waste any heat, so has made break times and indoor jobs like sorting our seed collection, much more enjoyable.  We also have a dry, rodent-proof, space for storage.  Thanks Tim!

  Our fruit trees and bushes have been receiving some attention, having been tickled and sung to during the Wassailing event, and are now being pruned.  The joint Wassailing and Lohri event was well attended and enjoyable, apart from an un forecasted rain storm in the middle.  Many marshmallows were toasted and bikes serviced.  We also had an informative talk from Her Lohri, explaining how they help girl orphans in India. 

Wassailing the apple tree

Sustrans and Dr. Bike 

 

Volunteers from Her Lohri providing food.

  We will be holding two more events this spring – A celebration of all things Japanese, instigated by one of our volunteers, John, on March 4^th.   Also a Nowruz celebration around March 21^st, the Spring Equinox, date to be confirmed.  This is a Persian and Kurdish New Year celebration.  Of course you are always welcome at our regular sessions on Mondays 10 to 12pm and Thursdays 10 to 4pm.  You can just pop in for a warm up and look around if you don’t want to garden.

Rosie Jarrett 8.2.2023