Windmill Community Gardens
Welcome to the Secret Garden South of Bobber's Mill Bridge in Nottingham
We are a group of local people, who are nuturing a wonderful community garden in the heart of the city. You'll find us just South of Bobbersmill Bridge, on the allotment site at the South end of Ascot Road. The Gardens are a great place where anyone can come to find out more about growing their own food in a changing climate. We cater for all abilities and welcome any nationality or age group.
Why not come and join us?
Thursday, 20 April 2023
Wednesday, 8 February 2023
February 2023
FEBRUARY 2023
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 Vic has left for a new job and has been replaced by Rachel, an experienced community gardener.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.
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.
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 4th.
Also a Nowruz celebration around March 21st, 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.
Wednesday, 5 October 2022
WHATS ON AT WCG IN OCTOBER?
Welcome to the official blog for Windmill Community Gardens, Bobbersmill, Nottingham.
If you haven't visited us before, we are the first allotment on the left, on the track at the end of Ascot Road, which is off Aspley Lane, next to Bobbersmill Bridge. Nearest postcode NG8 5HD
If you come by bus, then you need to catch the 77, 78 or 79 or Trent Barton 1, from Upper Parliament Street. For the 77 get off at the Ascot Road stop, for the others the Aspley Lane stop. (Same stop if you are coming in the other direction).
If you come by car, then please park at the end of Ascot Road and walk the last 100 metres, unless you have a disability, in which case please phone 07816899978 and we can open the bollard for you.
Our regular opening times are:
Monday - 10am to 1pm.
Thursday - 10am to 4pm
Feel free to drop in at any time. Children are welcome if supervised.
Call 079816899978 or email wcgnottingham@gmail.com for more information.
Under 4's activities
Small Steps Big Changes are running a session on Friday 28th October from 10 am to 1pm. For pumpkin fun and more.
Their normal activities include -
Food growing activities, Stories songs and rhyme and healthy food preparation.
Places are first offered to residents of Aspley, Hyson Green and Arboretum, so please check you have a place before coming by texting 07816899978 or emailing wcgnottingham@gmail.com
Older siblings welcome to attend.
Pumpkin Day Celebrations
Our annual Pumpkin Celebration will be on Sunday 30th October from 3 to 6pm
Pumpkin carving for children, pumpkin competitions for the best carvings and heaviest pumpkin.
Food
Games
Spooky happenings
There will be pumpkin carving for adults beforehand, please contact the us, using the phone number/email address already given to book.
Growing Forward
Growing Forward, a social proscribing project, combining gardening and therapy, is based at Windmill Community Gardens. For more information, please got to:
Monday, 2 May 2022
The Supershed is Officially Open!
Monday, 7 February 2022
February at Windmill Gardens
February at Windmill Gardens
Fortunately the man who rents the allotment on the other side of the hedge is a professional hedge cutter, so we hope that he will fell and cut back some of the trees on the other side, which are blocking the sunlight. The pond and bog garden have been full of water for about two months, so should make a good home for wildlife. We are still in the planning stages for planting, but we are collecting bricks for raised beds. We are also preparing the top corner for a grass area and performance space. The corner where the shed is, is going to be used by Growing Forward, Clare and Vic's mental health support project. It will provide a safe space for their clients.
Monday, 6 December 2021
MASHUA
Mashua, along with Yacon and Oca are all edible tubers, once grown by the Inca's. We planted all three at Windmill this year, but only the Mashua survived. We fear that the other two might have been weeded out by over zealous gardeners. The Yacon has a plant that looks a similar to a Dahlia and the tubers are long and brown. The Oca plant has a lot of trefoil leaves that spread across the ground and smaller white and red tubers. The Mashua grows upwards and has leaves, a bit like a Nasturtium, but smaller and more "frilly". The flowers are small and yellowy orange, and the tubers are mainly white and quite small. The taste is like a strong radish. They can be eaten raw, but I prefer them in a stir fry as the taste mellows.
OCA
MASHUA
Rosie Jarrett 6.12.2021
Thursday, 25 November 2021
Wreath Making by Candlelight
Thursday 9th December at 7pm
Pay by donation
To book, please go to our Facebook page, or email wcgnottingham@gmail.com
(18) Wreath making by candle light | Facebook