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Thank you from the Palace View (Covid) gardening club

FireFire Posts: 19,096
edited May 2020 in The potting shed
I wanted to thank all of those who encouraged me to set up a covid gardening group for those (isolating) in my area of north London. It seemed a bit of a crazy priority in March, with lockdown kicking off, but in fact, it has turned out to be a great uniter of neighbours - offering a way to connect and share generosity and easy communication on Whatsapp and in person, during a tough time. The group now has 60 people over four streets, including lots of kids who are growing for the first time. Some of us don't have gardens (or incomes), so the projects are starting with window boxes and sprouts in the home and working out from there. Most people have (still) never met each other - chattering daily on Whatsapp. It's been tricky with santising everything, double bagging and staying two metres apart, but, with care, it has worked.

For those with gardens we've negotiated bulk buys at a local (shut) garden centre and bought and shared a lot of easy veg seeds (chard, salad, cress, radish). We've been painting pebbles to encourage ladybirds to visit.  (We also run a craft group). We're doing joyous cuttings and seedlings swaps and lots of members are astonished to watch as their first plants are sprouting and sharing excited photos.

Making 'fairy gardens' with the kids has been an unplanned smash, because we are lucky enough to have have street trees where the kids can build fairy villages. We have some very competitive fairies in my street suddenly. Who knew that "little folk pond battles" were a thing?

I wondered if there were other easy, inclusive ideas you might have for the group. I want to keep focusing on the children and those without a garden. All ideas for whole group projects need to be cheap or free.  All ideas welcome, remembering that most of us will not meet in person. Thanks. 🌱






Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Have you any photos of the fairy gardens?
  • ChivetalkingChivetalking Posts: 2,296
    edited May 2020
    That’s a lovely idea Fire and wonderful to hear how so many are participating, just a couple of thoughts have you made any bug hotels, or growing a sunflower, who’s grows tallest maybe? Best of luck with the project.
  • Bee witchedBee witched Posts: 1,295
    Hello @Fire,

    Sounds great .... might be some budding long-term gardeners amongst your group.
    On a recent Gardeners' World someone was growing bean seeds in jars  .... their kids seemed to be having fun. I can remember doing this as a child .... it was pink blotting paper in my day blush .... I wonder if blotting paper still exists?

    Have fun,

    Bee x
     image
    Gardener and beekeeper in beautiful Scottish Borders  

    A single bee creates just one twelfth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Thanks all, and thank you to @Dovefromabove for the initial encouragement  to take the plunge.



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