We have a polytunnel
Category: Gardening
The Gardening Project is an activity group based at Rosendale Allotments, SE21. Open to existing Rathbone service users for £5 per day (10am-3pm), or other people with learning disabilities at £35 per day, subject to assessment.
The group has a fantastic team spirit. Come along to learn about planting and nurturing vegetable crops, other plants and the soil, and enjoying the bountiful harvest each year.
One year later!
In August 2017 the gardening group lost its funding and we had to abandon our plot. We recently got some more money and were able to spend 4 weeks working together.
The plots were looking very neglected and there was plenty to do. The good news is that Rosendale Allotments donated a polytunnel so our group can grow plants from seed and have a place to shelter and work when it rains.
We tidied the shed, cleaned it out and put everything back. Then the grass was strimmed and the weeds dug up. We drowned the weeds in the water butt.
Manure was collected from the top of the allotment, where it’s delivered free, and we used it, together with our homemade compost, to top up the beds.
More stones were collected and the new strawberry bed was weeded and enlarged. There are more strawberry runners to plant up this year.
Free fruit – blackberry time
Keep an eye out for blackberries ripening, they are delicious and make great pies and jams. There are wild plants growing all over the place, watch out for thorns if you pick, and give them a wash. They freeze well.
Some produce from the plot and getting the garden ready for the BBQ
CHERRIES
Rain at last!
After weeks of hacking away at the rock hard soil on the new plot we had lots of the rain and were able to dig properly.
We also sowed sunflowers and nasturtiums to add some colour and please the bees and birds.
May on the plots
We’ve been very busy tidying up the plots ready for May inspections, getting beds ready for planting, making compost to improve the soil and watering everything as it’s been so dry.
Plot inspections!!!
Plot inspections start on May 6th so we all worked very hard.
Spring fever
Planting potatoes
November – check for hedgehogs before lighting bonfires!
This little hedgehog turned up on our plot today. We gave it some food and milk and it was very hungry. A neighbour made a nest for it in her shed and will check it every day. Hedgehogs hibernate under piles of wood and leaves, so it was probably getting ready for bed in the bonfire pile on our new plot. Luckily we used our incinerator and sorted the wood out before we burnt it!
