We've just had the first Global Footsteps Gardener's community meeting and it was a really great success, so many ideas and so much enthusiasm for this!
As so much was discussed I think it’s best to keep to the main points and provide some (hopefully useful) links!
Arran and Tina came from the University and told us all about the Edible Garden project they set up on the FCH campus. You can find out all about it on this PDF file (it takes a while to load, but its worth it!) They told us that they need plenty of volunteers to help them keep the Garden going. In fact this Saturday (the 12th) they are building a compost area. Mary, who lives in a flat and came along tonight looking for some sort of community garden to be involved with will be going along to help out. Anyone else who wants to come along will be very welcome, please email Arran for more details: astibbe@glos.ac.uk
Melanie Hamm, who co-runs the group, told us all about her Garden (see photo) and shared her traumatic experience of trying to deal with Slugs. She has tried Beer traps, but found it very difficult, she has been wanting to avoid using slug pellets, but is having trouble finding a better alternative to staging a round the clock monitoring and removal by hand! Arran admitted that they had turned to organic slug pellets, which are really not too bad on the environment (well apart from the slugs) and have no negative impacts on the food chain above them.
A useful book Plants for a Future was mentioned. Another useful looking book on this subject is Plants for the Future
Dennis had some questions about Pond digging. According to Arran it is a good idea to have at least one part of the pond over a metre deep, so that frogspawn can be free from frost in the winter. Dennis had trouble with losing water from the pond as he had been unsure how to line in properly. He has resolved to have another go and the Gardeners group were quick to volunteer some help to 'Dig for Dennis and Beryl's Pond', we'll be setting a date for one weekend soon anyone who wants to help out please get in touch!
At the edible garden they used Geotextile and Butyl rubber to line their pond, apparently it is important to have an overlap of 2 metres for the lining!
Some ideas for the future:
1. Invite Mike Bush to talk about Permaculture
1. Invite Mike Bush to talk about Permaculture
2. Invite Rowan Middleton to talk about Biodynamic principles
3. Pay a visit to an allotment in Cheltenham to understand better how they work and to dispel some of the myths surrounding things like waiting lists!
4. Visit some local 'open gardens'
5. Work out a way to exchange vegetables and plants through the Global Footsteps group.
We'll soon be posting details of the next Gardeners event, please keep an eye on the website for more details or email us on globalfootstep@googlemail.com
We received this email about the Slug problems, thanks!
ReplyDeleteDear Melanie
Re your slug problem, I too have tried all slug traps, beer traps, copper etc. but then I discovered the Slug Bell and it's brilliant. It uses conventional or organic slug pellets and the beauty is they last up to 12 weeks guarding your veg or in my case growbags 24/7 365 days. You can water the garden as per normal as the pellets are not watered down by rain, mist or frost. They are brilliant as no pets can be harmed and when they have neutralised the area in question you can simply move it to another location.
You can get the Slug Bell from Rainbow Garden Products tel: 01932 221501. they are made of metal which last years and come in a flower design to blend in with the garden, they cost £7.99 each.
The website I have been told is due to launch at the beginning of October. Give them a go, it is the best investment I ever made " and I love my garden"
Kathy