Sandgate Community Garden Team Diary Entry for 11th May: We are working towards our first plant sale of the year at the Safari Sale on 22nd June.
The good old British weather has us on a bit of a rollercoaster. We have had some pretty cold weather in the week but now we are back to the sunshine and warmth with still absolutely no rain and none to come either. It is somewhat disconcerting, and at Pent Farm there are huge cracks appearing in the ground and it is still only early May.
The broad beans are starting to form, and have needed watering. Just like last year, it seems the wildlife enjoys charging through the broad bean beds as we can see pathways trodden through the base of the plants, Good news is that the cows are at last out in the field with their calves at the farm which is a delight to see.
The fleece was removed from the newly planted lettuces and replaced with a net to keep the birds away. The growth was cut back from the pond and around the hazelnut trees – mostly stinging nettles, whilst being stung the gardeners were being reminded of the benefits of nettle stings and nettles as a food, however it gave little comfort at the time!
We took the plunge and sowed more carrots, this time in a raised bed. The flowering claytonia had started to form seeds and so it was time for it to be cleared and composted before the seeds dropped everywhere. We sowed two trays of beetroot and two of spring onions whilst sitting near the pond and were joined by damsel flies which sadly kept darting about too fast to capture on the camera.
We are working towards our first plant sale of the year at the Safari Sale on 22nd June where we will have a stall. So far we have collected quite a few plants, including some beautiful iris which were collected and potted up last year but were too small for the Sea Festival in August. They are strong specimens now, and already in flower so a picture was taken so that we can show how it looks. We would also like to thank our garden friends Tina and Erica for plant donations and would be grateful for other donations if you would like to get in touch.
Last but by no means least a photo was captured of one of our gardeners’ allotment in Hythe. Leanne has been gardening with us for a few years now and at last managed to get her own plot having been on the waiting list for some time. She has already got stuck in, cleared it and we are proud to say, highlighting the wonders of no dig gardening with neat beds and wood chip paths. We cannot wait to see what she grows as the year goes on.
What’s next?
- Sow some kale
- Plant out some lettuce
- Prepare the bed where the claytonia was growing
- Water the seedlings during the week
This weeks update from the Sandgate Community Garden Diary.