Integral work has been happening at our gardens to make sure our plants & produce stay healthy and alive!
We have ensured that all of our staff and key volunteers are sticking to the Government guidelines by staying 2m apart, having staggered breaks, doing deep cleans daily, and making sure to only do integral work (i.e. potting up, watering, etc).
People’s Community Garden – by Bev
We have been preparing beds to seed directly, lots of seed sowing going on in the polytunnels. The soil in all beds has been manured and mulched to improve the structure. Our new compost bins are warming up with the grass cuttings. The potatoes are in, with 2 rows of cabbages, the broad beans have flowers already. The Summer House has turned into a bee information centre and the pond has lots of frogspawn in it; we have added materials to encourage the frogs to stay nearby. The sensory gardens and herb spiral are springing into life. The plan is to produce enough vegetables and fruit to support the local community in difficult times. We have preserved beetroot, shallots and have made rhubarb Jam in preparation for future markets. We have sown 200 hundred sunflower seeds to give to each local household to encourage them to our markets when the world recovers from the COVID-19 virus. We have a blue tit nesting in a bird box near the entrance.
Chantry Walled Garden – by Susannah
Meanwhile over at CWG we potted up 3,000 Geranium last week, to be planted out in Ipswich parks and green spaces. We are awaiting the arrival of the perennials order next week – around 1,000 plants, with 1,000 bedding plants due the following week.
We are also making a start on renovating the long flower border so – when all this is over – people will be able to come and enjoy something really special.
Well done and huge thanks to all team who are keeping the sites going – observing strict precautions on social distancing and hygiene.
Bees – by Adee
The bees are slowly coming round from their winter slumber. The queen starts to lay eggs so the bees have to work hard to make ready for all the new worker bees that are about to be born. This can be a very difficult time for the hive, a cold wet spring can mean that the hive doesn’t survive, but a good sign to look for are bees coming back to the hive with lots of pollen on their legs. Flowers in bloom now and trees provide vital food for what’s to come. Other things to see as the days are getting warmer and longer all bees will be coming out of hibernation. You will see queen bumblebees out foraging before she goes to build her nest. Mason bees are emerging from their cocoons and butterflies will be waking up too. Slow worms, lizards and snakes will be basking in the sun before going off to hunt.
