The Joys of Spring

Today felt like an apology for Monday and Tuesday. The clouds and the chill disappeared, to be replaced by sunshine and the first fingers of warmth. Tracey got the best treat, as she opened up and found the allotment full of blue tits and a vole, sitting grooming by the fruit cage, did a brilliant double take and jumped into the hedge. Chris - your hard work, adding cover to the base of the dead-hedge, is already appreciated by at least one resident!

We were also delighted to see that the rhubarb is showing. The Timperley early is doing just what it said on the tin, and already showing leaves, whilst the other 2 are also conforming - mid season now showing buds about to burst, whilst the late season variety is just showing a few points of pink in the ground.

Carrie set to on the herb bed, and quickly made a massive difference. She pointed out that the mint stalks would be great for fire-lighting if we let them dry a bit more, so we baled them and put them in the polytunnel, which now smells amazing. We are looking forward to some fragrant fires!

Pete went on to process more of the branches from the willow we pollarded. The space he's now cleared is destined to be used for an exciting new area which will house a key-hole bed. These are popular in Africa, as they compost in situ and help keep moisture in the soil. If you fancy making one, have a look at this great "how to" resource. We are also going to add some "tip taps" to the site to help with hand-washing. All these ideas come from a great charity called Send A Cow which helps farmers in many African countries.

Whilst all this was going on, we had visitors. A group of folk from Gedling came along to see how we run Windmill. They will be taking their ideas back to use on their own community gardens in that area, and Tracey will be helping them to get the work planned and carried out. This is all due to the Notts Nosh project working with Gedling Homes to get the ball rolling. It should be fun, and we hope we can update you on how it's going soon.

Outreach at the Acorn Day Centre

Today, Tracey went to the Acorn Day Centre, which is in the Mary Potter Centre in Hyson Green. We enjoy going to Acorn, or inviting the centre users to Windmill, as they are a great crowd and very good at providing refreshments if we visit them!  Tracey's job was to help some pupils from Berridge Junior School to plant up the main growing bed there to provide some crops and some herbs, as well as interest for butterflies and bees. It may sound like a bit of a tall order, but the growing bed is huge, so there was plenty of room. 

The Weeding Team get on with the job

The Berridge group did a fantastic job. As the group weeded really carefully, pairs of pupils took it in turn to plant up the bed. The first worked to plant strawberries, the second group worked on herbs and butterfly plants and the last group put in a variety of vegetables.

Pupils helped to put in lots of strawberry plants,
within easy reach of the edge of the bed.

Bee friendly plants going in at one end of
the big bed

Putting herbs around the edge of the bed so
they are easy to reach and smell.

After all their efforts, the Acorn folk provided some well-earned drinks and biscuits, which were much appreciated. 

Well done to the whole Berridge Team

Once the group said their goodbyes, a few of the centre users had a bit of time to come and help (they'd all been busy with actvities when we first arrived - it's a busy place!). They helped Tracey to plant beans and tomatoes and to make sure that all the plants were properly watered.

Some volunteers from Acorn helped to finish the job.

We are hoping to go back in a week or so, to help finish off the work, putting in some ornamental planting and wiring up the pergola to provide support for the new grape vines and other climbers. 

The place should soon be looking spectacular!