Readers of this column will be familiar with EcoVannin/Braddan Commissioners’ project, the Coronation Community Garden.
It’s a lovely little plot of land that we’re developing into a communal growing plot, so that residents and friends can socialise, grow produce together, and share the fruits (and vegetables) of their labour.
People are welcome to drop into the garden as often as they like and are able – do come and take a look if you haven’t done so already.
From being, at the start of this year, a slightly unloved disused former playground, the space has come on in leaps and bounds – with help from kindly donors, volunteers and local residents.
And we’ve just taken another big step forward, in that the very fab Men in Sheds have delivered the brilliant raised beds they’ve made for us.
These’ll make planting and tending much easier, and they’re absolute beauties – many thanks, Men in Sheds!
To get the new beds filled and planted, we’re holding another of our periodic work parties – this time on Saturday, from 10am until no later than 2pm, though people are very welcome to join in just for an hour or so if that’s all they can spare.
We aim to get started on filling the new planters with a mix of mushroom compost and top soil, as a growing medium, and we’d be glad of as many helping hands as possible – even if you’re not a Braddanite, we’ll be glad to see you.
And once that’s done, we can start thinking about putting in some winter veg.
In addition we’re experimenting with straw bale planting – we’ve been feeding the bales with liquid nutrients and they’re now about ready to take some plants. We can’t wait to see how it works.
We also need to paint a picnic bench, so if anyone’s able to donate some suitable paint/wood preserver and brushes, we can tackle that task on Saturday too – weather permitting.
But even if it’s not painting weather, we’ll be there whatever, getting muddy and having fun.
And digging up some of the spuds – they’re already looking very ready, and need eating!
Huge thanks are due to the kindly people who’ve given us garden furniture, plants, compost, tools and time – it wouldn’t have been possible without you.