Help us raise funds for a fabulous Community Yurt in Glengall Wharf Garden. It will be a meeting, learning and healing space for the whole community.

What we’ll deliver:

• The cost of a yurt, plinth foundations and a lockable door.
• The cost of fencing for the neighbouring site.
• The installation of the yurt and fencing in the garden.
• Permaculture planting and design for the surrounding area.

Any donation, big or small, would be greatly appreciated. You can find out more – and contribute – here: https://www.spacehive.com/glengallwharfgardencommunityyurt#/.XHwb14HodQs.twitter

The open workday on Sunday 17th March will be dedicated to preparing the site for the yurt. We will be holding a bake sale to raise more funds for the project. Please bring a cake along, there will be lots to share!

MARCH EVENTS

SUNDAY 10TH MARCH – STEERING GROUP

Time: 10.30am-12pm

We’ll be meeting to talk through plans for the year ahead. Do come along to discuss ideas for potential events and find out how you can get involved with Chelsea Fringe, Open Garden Squares Weekend and our summer fundraiser.

SATURDAY 30TH MARCH – COMPOST COURSE 

Time: 10.30am-2pm
Cost: £5 

We’ll cover the basics including:

• What is compost and what are the benefits?
• Soil and soil life including the soil food web.
• Soil management and alternative composting ‘in situ’.
• Different ways of composting including bokashi and wormeries.
• Troubleshooting.

At the end of the day you’ll have a good grasp of the topic and have the skills to compost wherever you are. You can find more information here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/composting-for-urban-gardeners-tickets-57378186701?utm_campaign=new_event_email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eb_email&utm_term=viewmyevent_button

EVERY SUNDAY – OPEN WORKDAY

Time: 12-3pm

Come and help us maintain the garden – planting, cutting back the wild bits, tidying and repairing the site ready for spring. 

EVERY MONDAY – LITTLE GARDENERS 

Time: 10am-1pm

A free, self-led group for parents, carers and their little ones (babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers all welcome) that takes place at the garden every Monday. Come and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the garden. Plant and pick fruit and vegetables and help keep the garden watered and full of life. Explore all the wildlife and spot frogs, fish, creepy crawlies and the beehives.

Things to note: Bring appropriate clothes for outdoor play including waterproofs and wellies if it’s wet or muddy and warm clothes if it’s cold. Bring food for a picnic and a picnic blanket if it’s dry (otherwise there are covered benches). There is plenty of space to park buggies and bikes undercover. Tea and coffee can be provided for parents and carers. Toilet and hand washing facilities on site. The site is a working community garden with tools, building materials, and non-edible plants. We make every effort to keep the site tidy and safe but your child is your responsibility so you must keep a close watch on them.

We need gardeners, plant lovers, permaculturists, finance specialists, strategists, carpenters, DIY’ers and creative souls to help run our garden. Please get in touch by emailing burgessfoodproject@gmail.com or come to our meeting on Sunday (see below for details).

FEBRUARY EVENTS 

SUNDAY 10TH FEBRUARY – GARDEN MEETING 

Time: 11am-12.30pm

We’ll be meeting to discuss plans for the garden this year and we’d love for you to come! The meeting is open to all. Come share your enthusiasm, ideas and skills and help us to develop new and exciting ways of working. 

SUNDAY 17TH & 24TH FEBRUARY – OPEN WORKDAY

Time: 12-3pm

We will be resuming our Sunday open workday. We are in great need of volunteers, of all abilities, to help us maintain the garden – cutting back the wild bits and tidying and repairing the site. 

MONDAY 11TH, 18TH & 25TH FEBRUARY – LITTLE GARDENERS

Time: 10am-1pm

A free, self-led group for parents, carers and their little ones (babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers all welcome) that takes place at the garden every Monday. Come and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the garden. Plant and pick fruit and vegetables and help keep the garden watered and full of life. Explore all the wildlife and spot frogs, fish, creepy crawlies and the beehives.

Things to note: Bring appropriate clothes for outdoor play including waterproofs and wellies if it’s wet or muddy and warm clothes if it’s cold. Bring food for a picnic and a picnic blanket if it’s dry (otherwise there are covered benches). There is plenty of space to park buggies and bikes undercover. Tea and coffee can be provided for parents and carers. Toilet and hand washing facilities on site. The site is a working community garden with tools, building materials, and non-edible plants. We make every effort to keep the site tidy and safe but your child is your responsibility so you must keep a close watch on them.

FRIDAY 25TH JANUARY – STORYTELLING AROUND THE FIRE

Time: 7pm
Price: £5 – pay cash on the night
Book: In advance by email to vanessa@londondreamtime.com
Website: https://www.londondreamtime.com/event/secret-garden-storytelling-around-the-fire/

Storytelling for adults with Vanessa and music by George. Join us for music, starlight and an ancient shapeshifting story told around the fire in a magical secret garden.

Things to note: Dress VERY warmly. Mulled cider and hot drinks will be available (be warned it’s a cash bar and there no cash machines nearby).

SUNDAY 27TH JANUARY – BIG GARDEN BIRD WATCH

Time: 11.30am-12.20pm

A free, all ages, annual event to check on the local bird population. No special knowledge needed; just come along and learn.

The bird count and species will be reported to RSPB (Royal Society for Protection of Birds). The count lasts one hour and takes place over one weekend in January across the country. You’ll receive a free bird ID sheet and there will be bird books, binoculars, hot drinks and cake!

The image below is a parent/child collaboration from one of our Little Gardeners.

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MONDAY 28TH JANUARY – LITTLE GARDENERS

Time: 10am-1pm

A free, self-led group for parents, carers and their little ones (babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers all welcome) that takes place at the garden every Monday. Come and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the garden. Plant and pick fruit and vegetables and help keep the garden watered and full of life. Explore all the wildlife and spot frogs, fish, creepy crawlies and the beehives.

Things to note: Bring appropriate clothes for outdoor play including waterproofs and wellies if it’s wet or muddy and warm clothes if it’s cold. Bring food for a picnic and a picnic blanket if it’s dry (otherwise there are covered benches). There is plenty of space to park buggies and bikes undercover. Tea and coffee can be provided for parents and carers. Toilet and hand washing facilities on site. The site is a working community garden with tools, building materials, and non-edible plants. We make every effort to keep the site tidy and safe but your child is your responsibility so you must keep a close watch on them.

Thank you to all our visitors and volunteers for another wonderful year. We’re looking forward to what 2019 will bring the garden.

Thanks to Rob Mason for the beautiful illustration.

Our trainees and volunteers spend every thursday growing some amazing food which is  delivered straight to the foodbank by bike. Less than half a food mile! Local food at it’s best, getting a veg bag to 20-25 families a week.

We want to change our organisations structure and we’d like your input.

There’s a lot of info, but if you’re interested, have experience or knowledge to share please have a read through and note down your comments.

Link to survey here

Thank you

Spring has sprung! Crocuses and daffodils are out and the apricot tree is blooming. Hopefully the cold weather hasn’t stopped pollination. Last year we harvested many kg of fruit for lovely jams and chutneys.

We are delighted to announce that we have new funding from Awards for All for Grown in Peckham and the wider project. We hope to grow loads more produce so each week we can donate fresh veg bags to the Southwark Foodbank.

The Wakefield and Tetley Trust are also supporting Herb Tuesdays. Look at the project pages for more detail.

We hope to see you at the garden in 2018. We have some wonderful things planned, and hope to have more feasts and cooking events for everyone to learn about and enjoy fresh produce.

 

Our first Growfest was an activity packed day filled to the brim with local people of a green fingered persuasion.

Bringing together local gardeners, there were new skills to learn, labels, pesto, printed bags, seed bombs and bug hotels to make, good food to eat, bees to inspect and seeds to share and save.

We also listed over 50 growing projects in (mainly) north Southwark, and that’s just a start. Slowly we’ll pull together a list with details we can digitise and share.

Southwark Growers is the new network. If you want to sign up email Sue at southwarkgrowers@gmail.com.