Are you keen to get outside now the days are lengthening? Intrigued by the sound of a Perma Blitz? Join a friendly group at Westbury Farm this Sunday.
As the first meeting of 2018, this is an opportunity to get the project kicked off with a group agreed plan. It’s a “Bring and Share” event in both name and nature, so please bring your positive ideas and a food snack to share with the group.
This meet-up is all about connecting with like-minded people over a few hours of interesting discussion, activity in the garden and some lunch nibbles:
- Sharing ideas, (food) and experiences
- Shaping the future of the project and the plot
- Tidying up and starting work in the garden
Your donations to the project and plot are gratefully received whether you’re volunteering your time or material contributions.
There is a current need for these items so please feel free to donate as much as you can:
- brown cardboard (for compost and mulch)
- compost material (green or brown organic material)
- carpet (made from natural material/wool) – to cover the soil
- tarpaulin/ plastic sheeting – to cover the soil
- Cloche and cold-frame material (to help us make some cloches/ cold frames!)
- Wood – for bedding material, raised beds, and ultimately a garden shed!
- Compost bin signs – for inside and outside reminders
The practical activity in the garden
The garden activities are focused on developing a vegetable plot using permaculture principles; bringing people together to help each other grow, learn and feel closer to the natural world. However, it’s early days for the project, so volunteer activities will revolve around developing the soil, planting beds, composting and capturing rainwater initially.
We envisage the activity list evolving like this:
- Sheet/lasagna mulching to extend the flower beds
- Cutting back grass, nettles, brambles etc
- Covering the beds with tarpaulin, carpet etc
- Maintaining the compost heaps – especially adding all our new coffee grounds
- Making signs for the composting areas – inside & out
- Creating rainwater capture & dispersal points – water butts, irrigation hoses etc.
- Building cold-frames and cloches
- Building raised beds (to go beside the barn)
- Planting fruit trees and small shrubs
- Developing seedlings for planting out
- Planting perennials – like comfrey beside the compost bins
- Planting in guilds
- Creating plant (public info) signs
- Pruning
- Mulching – cut and drop, sheet etc
- Picking, Eating, Sharing – food, knowledge and recipes
Everyone is welcome to join in.
To find out more or confirm your attendance please contact Planting Up or email: info@plantingup.co.uk
Tools, guidance, drinks and a friendly atmosphere provided.
What you need to bring:
- Snacks and nibbles for everyone to share
- Please wear old clothes and suitable footwear appropriate for the season
- Please bring your own gardening gloves, especially with children
- Please bring some basic gardening tools to use and anything you can contribute to mulch and compost