Sandgate Community Garden Team Diary Entry for 13th November: Badgers One, Strawberries Nil.

We had escaped the strong winds and storms this summer but they have been back with a vengeance this past week.  The last of the seedlings for this year had to be rescued from a cold frame in danger of being toppled despite being strapped to a fence.  It would have been a disaster to lose 120 broad bean seedlings but happily they were planted out over the week at Enbrook Park, and the last of our planting for this year is done.  The seed trays will be put away along with the collapsible cold frames until mid-February 2023.  Now is the time to take stock of what went well or did not, and to take a look at all the seeds we have for next season and see if there is anything else we need to buy.

Some things have surprised us this year.  The few strawberry plants we had as a ground cover under the gooseberry bushes seem to have had a great time sending out runners all over the place and were in danger of taking over.  We must have potted up at least thirty new plants, with plenty more still to be had.  Having decided that because of the badgers we might not be growing them any more at the Sandgate Community Garden in Enbrook Park, they will be taken to Fremantle Park instead and see how they fare there.  Of course we will leave a few plants for the badgers.

The other surprise crop was some Jerusalem artichokes which have been quietly growing up against the brick wall, flowering well in the summer, and recently just starting to die back.  Now is the time to dig up the edible roots, and we were amazed that there were quite a few.  The original roots were given to us by the Incredible Edible group – just a small handful.  We will collect what is left and replant some for next year, then plant more in other gardens as they are decorative as well as edible.

We have been collecting a by-product of food deliveries or parcels.  We had noticed that sheep fleece/wool is being used as packaging, pressed flat into wide sheets.  Always keen to reuse and recycle, we have been using the wool as capillary matting under seedlings or potted plants.  When it starts to break down, it is perfect for the compost heap, and will not therefore be ending up in landfill. 

As you may know, we are always promoting the wonders of composting and compost bins, however this week an issue was spotted with one composting area at a garden some of us are associated with in Postling.  We often have to reassure folk new to composting, that a well looked after bin should cause no problem, perhaps the biggest concern is attracting rats.  It has to be said that rats are never far away from us; it is just that they are good at hiding and are seldom out during the daytime.  This compost bin was showing signs of harbouring rats, which is rare, so we knew something was amiss.  The compost was in fact too dry, having been started during the dry, hot summer, and therefore of interest to rodents looking for a home.  Not wishing to encourage them to stay, the thing to do is to bang the side of the bin to let them know you are around, and start to unpack or turn the compost.  By noticing an issue quickly, the rodents do not have enough time to make a nest and therefore scarper to find somewhere else.  The only time a compost bin is left undisturbed is if there is a grass snake or slow worms taking up residence and have already laid eggs.  Having turned and hydrated the compost, there should not be any interest from rodents, and an active, hot composting area is too warm for them anyway.

Last week the rainfall was 45.4 mm and this week we are at 89.1 mm, and still only half way through the month!  The forecast for next week shows that more rain is on the horizon and although Sandgate was never subjected to a hosepipe ban this year, parts of Kent are still under a ban and in need of even more rain for it to be lifted any time soon. 

What’s next?

• Still need to thin out the nasturtiums

• Finish pulling the Jerusalem artichokes and set aside some for replanting

• Keep checking the pond for leaves and the cold frames for slugs and snails

• Pot up some more strawberry plants, and runaway sea buckthorn seedlings

This weeks update from the Sandgate Community Garden Diary.