Come and join us this Saturday the 16th of April for the second of our volunteer gardening group days led by experienced gardener and horticulturalist Charlotte Attlee. A chance to improve and share you gardening skills. Full details below. Our first day was fantastic and a great deal of fun - thank you to the group. Everyone is welcome so please don't be put off if you have limited mobility - there are things for us all to get involved with.
Did you miss our seed share in March? If so don't panic! We still have lots of free seeds left, plus some kindly donated by Peter and Margaret Green plus a number of wild flower seed packs from the Kew Garden Grow Wild project https://www.growwilduk.com/seed-packets . These rather smart packs are free and contain everything you need to grow your own wild flower bed or plant a container or window box. Drop in while the gardening group is going on this Saturday and collect your free seeds.
If you are in the mood for a spring adventure why not join Zoe's Qigong course? This six week course will be running on Thursday evenings and weather permitting will be starting off outside before moving into the warmth of the cabin. Details below.
Other groups meet regularly at the garden and welcome new members including the Name It! youth group who gather every Saturday evening. Again details on the website.
We are looking for new trustees to help with the care and development of the garden. You do not need to have specialist skills (although you might) but you will be keen to see the garden thrive and look forward to getting involved in the many aspects of our work. Have a look at our website to see who our current trustees are : http://www.barrackslanegarden.org.uk/trustees_staff.php. If you feel this is something you may be interested in please contact the garden or phone trustee and company secretary John Green on 01865 249450.
We have some wonderful photos that were taken during our Nettle day by Mim Saxl. Do have a look at these by following this link. http://goo.gl/aQAuXl The day was part of our Heritage of Common Plants project which is running at the garden this year.
Remember you can book the garden for your own event, course, party or away day but do get your booking in quickly if you have a special date in mind because we are getting a lot of bookings for the summer months. Details of how to book the garden are on the website: http://www.barrackslanegarden.org.uk/booking.htm
Another spring adventure in Qigong at the Octagonal in Barracks Lane Community Garden on Thursday evenings from 7.45-9.15pm, starting Thursday 21st April. If you haven’t been to the Spring sessions before, the increasing sunlight and warmth mean that we can sometimes begin out in the garden with its blossoming fruit trees and budding plants, then move indoors to the warmth of the woodburning stove. This is a 6 week series that supports the Liver and Gall Bladder, which are especially active during the spring when the yang qi rises from the stillness of winter. There will be a specific intention to nurture these organs and encourage the flow of blood and qi through the Liver and Gall Bladder meridians, as well as all balancing the whole body. Zoe Bicat has studied and practised Qigong since 2011. She holds a Diploma in Traditional Chinese Injury Rehabilitation Therapy, and is currently on the teacher training programme with the Shiatsu College.
When: Every Thursday 7.45-9.15pm Starts 21 April 2016
Where: The Octagonal, Barracks Lane Community Garden OX4 2AP
Cost: £60 for all 6 sessions/ £45 concessions, or £12 per class/ £8 concessions
Contact: zoebicat@gmail.com T: 079893 61294.
Volunteer Gardening and Skill Sharing Group
1st and 3rd Saturday starting April 2nd 2016. Next session Saturday 16th April. 11.30am - 4.30pm
Would you like to know more about gardening and plant stewardship? Would you enjoy gardening with others and sharing your skills?
We are running a social gardening group at the garden on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from April through until October 2016. Come and join us from 11.30am – 4.30pm.
The group will be led by experienced gardener and horticulturalist Charlotte Attlee who will be sharing her skills, knowledge and enthusiasm. This is part of a larger project called Our Heritage of Common Plants and is linked to a series of events which celebrate the uses of familiar plants in cooking, medicine, folklore and craft.
The group is suitable for all – whatever your experience or physical fitness or mobility. For further information including a monthly plan of activities visit our website's resources section http://www.barrackslanegarden.org.uk/resources.php. and have a look under the 'Heritage of Common Plants' section.
You can just turn up and you are welcome to come for all or just some of the time. Please wear suitable clothes and bring a packed lunch if you are staying for the day. Tea and coffee provided.
April activities:
Sowing
Composting
Mark out seedbeds, broadcast drifts for wildflowers
Divide herbaceous perennials and herbs
Pest and disease control – aphids, vine weevils, slugs and snails
Prune lavender and tender shrubs
Plant sweet peas and strawberries
Future Events at Barracks Lane Garden
May blossom and plant share
Join us to make drinks and cordials with elder and rose flowers. Make rose face cream at a Creative Nature workshop.
Bring and share plants and growing tips. Saturday 21st May 11am - 4pm
Celebrating summer with herbs for heath and well-being
With a focus on lavender and mint we will be making lotions and potions and exploring the use of herbs for health and well-being. Join us to celebrate summer in our beautiful community garden. Saturday 16th July 11am - 4pm
Harvest Festival
Join us for harvesting, foraging, apple pressing, cordial making and preserving. Bring crops to share, apples to press and celebrate our community harvest. Saturday 8th October 11am – 4pm
