During March we have started this year’s work in the garden and visitors will already see the spring flowers in troughs and containers along the front of the centre.

Less easily seen is the preparation that takes place in order to start the veg and flower growing. The raised beds have been cleared of weeds and roots from the birch trees (a perennial problem) and covered with compost in order to feed this year’s crops. 

One raised bed has been planted with some of the earliest seeds we sow in the year. Carrots have been sown in shallow trenches along with parsnips. We intersow radish with the parsnip seeds as radish germinate quickly and give an early crop and mark the rows of parsnips that take longer to show through the soil.

Out on the roadside John Ely has been busy digging over our large “Incredible Edible” planters, mulching and planting with fresh strawberry plants in readiness for an early tasty summer’s crop.

If you are interested in keeping the garden looking good or in learning about growing your own veg please come along to the garden between 2-3.00 pm on Tuesday, or, after Easter we will hold a longer session from 2-4.00pm