Although there were a couple of problems at the start with vandalism, the flowerbed has thrived.:
November 2009
The mulberry kept its leaves right until December and the herbs are well established and settled - thyme, lavender, bay. Basil has hopefully seeded itself for next year and there are several strawberry plants. Here we are planting some garlic bulbs around the edge. We're very proud of this project and it has proved to be a real conversation starter with local people using the bench or enjoying seeing direct community action.
BACK IN JULY
before TFP make overSince most of our projects are rather long-term, we thought we'd get busy and do some gardening in the raised bed at the junction of Gloucester Drive and Green lanes. Just over a year ago, an enormous ash tree was removed, and the flowerbed has become overgrown with thistles and brambles. It's now home to a lovely young mulberry tree and several hardy herbs.
happy to helpWhile gardening, we were heartened by the stream of supportive comments from our neighbours, one of whom stepped in (literally) to help out. The ex-Egyptian farmer had been complaining about the overgrown patch for a while and was very keen to get his hands dirty.
We also fixed the broken bench and hope our fellow residents will pause to enjoy the fruits of our labour and maybe slip in a couple of their favourite herbs.
testing the new bench
during
Tanya
One of the gardeners, Laura, writes a blog and has written about our planting day here.
