Dear Gardeners (present & future!)
A BIG THANK YOU to all of you who braved the rain on the 19th January and took part in our Community Garden Centre Open day. What a great day it was! For those of you who couldnt make it, we had some great music, tasty food & a lively discussion. This email is to;
WISH FISH
There were some great suggestions made both on the day and at previous events. Some of the wishes will certainly be possible from our current funding pot but we will be applying for further funding in the spring and will include as many of your ideas as we can.
We will certainly have lots of plants, flowers, herbs, veg and seeds, a nursery, events for children & families, talks, training, permaculture sessions, summer bbqs/picnics, open evenings, weekend events, benches, shade and somewhere to lock up your bikes. In addition to the containers (arriving next Tuesday) I am hoping we can build a structure of some kind and certainly signage will be important - especially a BIG WELCOME sign. We will be making links with local businesses for compost & sponsorship and with local schools & community groups.
Lots of people requested a cafe so that will be something we can explore once the garden centre is established (one suggestion was for a train carriage as a greenhouse - but I think this would make a great cafe?). Lots of forest garden requests which is great but maybe better suited for our Trinity Garden site (see below). There was a suggestion for sunflower/pumpkin growing competitions which I love - how about chilli's too (watch this space)?
Finally a bright spark put forward the idea of having a crafts / green / sustainable market at the station. I think this is a great way to reach new people. How about 26th April or as part of Easton Arts Trail 7/8 June? If you are an artist, craftsperson, or seller of sustainable/gardening products please contact me for details. If it was a success this could become a regular thing.
FUTURE EVENTS
We are having a planting day at Stapelton Road Train Station on Saturday 23rd February from 11am until 4.30pm. There will be a huge heap of compost, seeds, pots and hot drinks.....with plenty of gardening advice on companion planting, permaculture, veg growing, herbs etc. I will make a big soup but please bring food to share (if you are staying for the day). If you have any spare seeds please bring them along. Details about the next volunteering opportunity will also be available.
This Sunday, 10th February, is the 3rd annual 'Seedy Sunday' seed swap from 11 til 4. The event is at The Trinity Arts Centre in Old market, and is not to be missed, with lovely food, stalls, plants, books, organic seed potatoes (at wholesale prices), seeds, talks & workshops. Please bring saved/unwanted seeds. There is no parking so please walk, cycle or jump on a bus. There will also be tours around our garden:-
Every Tuesday from 11 til 4 Eastside Roots has a volunteer day at Trinity Arts Centre Gardens. Volunteers have already grown a wide variety of plants, veg, fruit, flowers & herbs, as well as creating raised beds, paths, a rainwater collection system, a polytunnel, a compost loo, and a wormery. They plan to build a low impact structure and a peace garden this summer. All welcome!
Wednesday, 13th February, there is a screening of the inspiring film; 'The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil' at 7pm in Lawrence Hill's Methodist Church on Lincoln Street. If you have not seen this film I highly recommend it. See www.transitionbristol.org.
Finally - last chance to buy a cherry, plum, apple or pear tree (or one of each) from Transition Bristol. They are buying in bulk so we all save money and collection will be at various city locations on 16th February. They start at £7 and the last day you can order online is this Sat but they will be at Seedy Sunday.
My Wish List
Finally.....there are just a couple of things we need to get the Community garden started! : )
Nick Ward
Eastside Roots Community Garden Centre Project Coordinator
PS This months top tip - try oak chippings to protect your delicate plants from slugs - they dont like the tannins.
A BIG THANK YOU to all of you who braved the rain on the 19th January and took part in our Community Garden Centre Open day. What a great day it was! For those of you who couldnt make it, we had some great music, tasty food & a lively discussion. This email is to;
- feedback some of the 'wish fish' ideas captured by our 'wish net',
- let you know about forthcoming events (both at Stapelton Road Train Station and further afield)
- present you with a wish list of my own.
WISH FISH
There were some great suggestions made both on the day and at previous events. Some of the wishes will certainly be possible from our current funding pot but we will be applying for further funding in the spring and will include as many of your ideas as we can.
We will certainly have lots of plants, flowers, herbs, veg and seeds, a nursery, events for children & families, talks, training, permaculture sessions, summer bbqs/picnics, open evenings, weekend events, benches, shade and somewhere to lock up your bikes. In addition to the containers (arriving next Tuesday) I am hoping we can build a structure of some kind and certainly signage will be important - especially a BIG WELCOME sign. We will be making links with local businesses for compost & sponsorship and with local schools & community groups.
Lots of people requested a cafe so that will be something we can explore once the garden centre is established (one suggestion was for a train carriage as a greenhouse - but I think this would make a great cafe?). Lots of forest garden requests which is great but maybe better suited for our Trinity Garden site (see below). There was a suggestion for sunflower/pumpkin growing competitions which I love - how about chilli's too (watch this space)?
Finally a bright spark put forward the idea of having a crafts / green / sustainable market at the station. I think this is a great way to reach new people. How about 26th April or as part of Easton Arts Trail 7/8 June? If you are an artist, craftsperson, or seller of sustainable/gardening products please contact me for details. If it was a success this could become a regular thing.
FUTURE EVENTS
We are having a planting day at Stapelton Road Train Station on Saturday 23rd February from 11am until 4.30pm. There will be a huge heap of compost, seeds, pots and hot drinks.....with plenty of gardening advice on companion planting, permaculture, veg growing, herbs etc. I will make a big soup but please bring food to share (if you are staying for the day). If you have any spare seeds please bring them along. Details about the next volunteering opportunity will also be available.
This Sunday, 10th February, is the 3rd annual 'Seedy Sunday' seed swap from 11 til 4. The event is at The Trinity Arts Centre in Old market, and is not to be missed, with lovely food, stalls, plants, books, organic seed potatoes (at wholesale prices), seeds, talks & workshops. Please bring saved/unwanted seeds. There is no parking so please walk, cycle or jump on a bus. There will also be tours around our garden:-
Every Tuesday from 11 til 4 Eastside Roots has a volunteer day at Trinity Arts Centre Gardens. Volunteers have already grown a wide variety of plants, veg, fruit, flowers & herbs, as well as creating raised beds, paths, a rainwater collection system, a polytunnel, a compost loo, and a wormery. They plan to build a low impact structure and a peace garden this summer. All welcome!
Wednesday, 13th February, there is a screening of the inspiring film; 'The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil' at 7pm in Lawrence Hill's Methodist Church on Lincoln Street. If you have not seen this film I highly recommend it. See www.transitionbristol.org.
Finally - last chance to buy a cherry, plum, apple or pear tree (or one of each) from Transition Bristol. They are buying in bulk so we all save money and collection will be at various city locations on 16th February. They start at £7 and the last day you can order online is this Sat but they will be at Seedy Sunday.
My Wish List
Finally.....there are just a couple of things we need to get the Community garden started! : )
- Appropriate stalls for our Craft/Green Fair
- Speakers & workshop leaders for events at the Community Garden
- top soil / manure / compost
- artwork
- paint & art supplies
- office chairs
- office tables
- tressel tables
- office supplies - pens, paper, stapler, etc
- kettle, cutlery, crockery
- water butt - large
- gardening tools
- gardening gloves
- watering cans
- plants, seeds, large plant pots
- wood
- untreated woodchip ((for compost toilet & mulching)
- a cheap supplier of solar panels
- a volunteer carpenter
- .....and finally; your friends, families & loved ones - spread the word - together we can make this a huge success & a great place to learn, share & have fun.
Nick Ward
Eastside Roots Community Garden Centre Project Coordinator
PS This months top tip - try oak chippings to protect your delicate plants from slugs - they dont like the tannins.
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