Small focal point for Armistice Day 2 minute silence at the community gardening plot

We decided to have a small focus for the Armistice Day 2 minute silence at our community gardening plot. It was too late to get an official wreath from the British Legion, so Graham did a makeshift job with British Legion poppies.

Anyone who wants to may gather on the terrace outside the Taverner Peckett TMO so we can observe the 2 minute silence together.

Fallen leaves: rake and bag, or mulch - that is the question

We're at that time of year when there are lots of fallen leaves around. What to do about them? Some people want them cleared as quickly as possible, since the fallen leaves look very "untidy". Others says you should leave them as they have their own beauty, they protect plants from frost, and they break down thus fertilising the soil. There are strong arguments though that if you leave fallen leaves on lawns, they block out light, prevent good air circulation and this cause diseases and grass death.

What is the answer? Well, in terms of lawns (and using leaves for flower and other plants beds), mulching could be the answer. Here's an article which explains why:

http://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/stories/why-you-should-mulch-leaves-not-rake-them

Serious Hallowe'en Incident at the community gardening spot

There has been a serious incident at the community gardening plot this Hallowe'en, which has resulted in some timely advice...

After the Pink Panther's activities in Highbury, from a base in Highbury Grange, and including some gardening activities, this short film seems quite appropriate: http://youtu.be/lHSl-yz5FqA

Cake Sunday! Ambler Road, N5

The original community gardening scheme, with which Graham was involved and out of which "grew" the Highbury Grange project, is holding one of its "Cale Sundays". They are great events where you can meet new people and make new friends, learn about gardening, and eat fabulous cakes! What more could you ask for?

Another neighbours’ gardening get together for residents

on Ambler, Romilly, Plimsoll, St Thomas‘s and surrounding roads.

Please do join us for tea, coffee and delicious home made cakes.

Cake Sunday

Place: Front garden of no.39 Ambler Road

Date: Sunday 19th October

Time: 2 - 4 pm

FREE BULBS

We'll be giving away free Daffodils bulbs for planting in front gardens, window boxes and tree pits.

More about our community veg growing project can be seen at www.outofmyshed.co.uk/btg

Does anyone know where we can get logs in London (not expensive)?

Our next project is another flower bed, and we want to repeat the "re-use" and natural themes there too too in the form of using logs to make raised beds. Terry asked Islington Council if they could spare us some logs fropm their tree-trimming activities but they didn't have any to spare. Do you know where we can find some logs (nothing expensive and local, as we are a voluntary group)?

Here is an idea of what we are trying to achieve:

http://reclaimedgarden.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/borders-logs-2.jpg

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=using+logs+for+raised+flower+beds&client=firefox-a&hs=DV9&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=nts&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=-o4yVJnfLZfwaKWNgPAK&ved=0CB4QsAQ&biw=1024&bih=690#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=VNzXh3KJAnHyoM%253A%3BPfOcuzK8IG-ymM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fhomepages.which.net%252F~geraldine.nicholas4%252Fboot_bed.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fhomepages.which.net%252F~geraldine.nicholas4%252FGardening.htm%3B559%3B382

http://www.webdesignfromllyn.info/cc/additional-products/peeled-chestnut-garden-logs2-big.jpg

http://images.rodale.com/acc/og/raisedbed/raised-bed-logs.jpg

I rather like this too (but it would be a lot of work hollowing out a log!):

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/c9/e8/a7/c9e8a731fc67b03b760c6e24934d6319.jpg

The Pink Panther has been helping with the Community Gardening project...

April to early September 2014 - how the community garden plot has evolved

The stumpery - making good use of the things that we find

A stumpery is a Victorian idea - an area of tree stumps and logs which enrich the environment by putting nutrients back into the soil, and providing good living conditions for critters.

You can see examples, and find out more about them, here:
http://rhodygarden.org/cms/garden/the-stumpery/

Here:
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wra-1356316744891/870873/

Here:
http://www.janeprophet.com/gunnison/?p=136

And here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00bldrv

We only have a limited amount of space in our community garden by the entrance to Taverner Square. So, I created a much more modest stumpery. In keeping with our spirit of re-using things which are otherwise throwing away (which we learned from out very good friends the Wombles of Wimbledon Common: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztv-pXldJ5Q), I asked my neighbour if I could have the branches when he was trimming some trees at the bottom of his garden. He said yes, and so we had a goodly supply.

There was a space between the raised beds which needed filling, and so I decided to make a stumery raised bed - a cross between a stumpery, a rockery and a raised bed if you like.

Rather than sawing straight branches and stacking them in straight lines, the branches have been interlaced to make quite a firm wall. Soil has been added, and we now have a rather different raised bed. I've added some plants which spread and overhang - for example daisies which are one of my favourite plants. I'm going to drill the logs, which I hope bees will use to make homes (bees like holes in logs for their personal quarters), and I also intend to plant mushrooms. Although it is a little late in the season, I'm mixing wild flower seeds with clay in the hope we'll get at least some wild flowers among the branches.

One of the local residents, Sarah, kindly rooted out some wicker baskets for us, which enhance the rustic feel we've tried to achieve in this originally medieval village encroached on by a major city in which we live.

As the wood rots, it will enrich the soil, and bugs etc will thrive. Obviously we will have to keep an eye on things over time to ensure that it all remains stable, but the effort is worthwhile I believe. Have a look at the pictures - what do you think?

I wonder if we will be able to have some of Madame Cholet's buttercup crumpets next summer?