Monday 28 April 2014

Today was a bluebell sort of a day




Pupils from Sacred Heart preparing for the mini beast hunt


FREE, interesting and fun "art in the garden" workshop Friday 9th May

Our next FREE workshop is on Fri 9 May, 10-12 noon. Come along and have a go at our 'Art in the Garden' session in a beautiful and relaxing environment. No skills required, beginners welcome.



You can book your places by ringing 01229 876546 or by email to neighbourhoodmgt@barrowbc.gov.uk.

Funding to enable the workshops was provided from a grant we received from The Peoples Health Lottery, using money raised by Healthable community interest company through the Health Lottery.


Friday 25 April 2014

A good attendance at todays what you can grow all year round workshop

A good attendance at todays what you can grow all year round workshop session facilitated by Jennifer Lauruol of Carpe Diem Gardens . Among the topics discussed included; what kinds of food could we grow? plant families, four seasons gardening and techniques for extending the growing season.




Funding to enable the workshops was provided from a grant we received from The Peoples Health Lottery, using money raised by Healthable community interest company through the Health Lottery.

Slow worms pictured in our wildlife boundary areas



We think this little critter is an angle shades moth caterpillar



Thursday 17 April 2014

Growing sweetcorn - Advice from RHS

In very mild areas you can sow sweet corn outside under cloches or fleece at the end of April - In cooler areas wait until May.


More information about growing sweetcorn can be found at: http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardening/Grow-Your-Own/Veg-A-to-Z/Sweet-corn

Monday 14 April 2014

National Gardening Week 2014 (14 - 20 April)

National Gardening Week 2014 begins today (14-20 April)



You can join in the country's biggest celebration of gardening - find out what's going on in your area and how you can get involved at www.nationalgardeningweek.org.uk/


Wednesday 2 April 2014

Companion planting guide from Thompson and Morgan

Companion planting is a natural way to deter pests from damaging fruit and vegetable crops and can also help with pollination. companion plant?


In the chart below Thompson and Morgan have put together “the best known partnerships in flowers, herbs and vegetables to help you improve the health of your garden plants without needing to resort to pesticides”.
Companion planting chart
Companion plant 1
Companion plant 2
How does it work
Plant Nasturtiums as a sacrificial crop. Cabbage white butterflies will lay their eggs on Nasturtium plants, keeping caterpillars away from your Brassicas.
Mint helps to deter flea beetles, which chew irregular holes in the leaves.
Calendula(English Marigold)
Calendula flowers are highly attractive to pollinating insects which will in turn pollinate your courgette flowers.
Summer savory helps to repel blackfly, a common pest of broads beans.
Sow spring onions amongst your carrots - the smell of onion deters carrot root fly. The smell of carrots also deters onion fly from onions.
The smell of leeks deters carrot root fly. The smell of carrots also helps deter leek moth from leeks.
The aromatic leaves of mint help confuse carrot root fly, who find their host through scent.
The onion scent will deter aphids.
Plant Nasturtiums as a sacrificial crop - aphids love them and this will lure them away from your runner beans/French beans.
The aromatic leaves of mint help to confuse and deter onion fly.
Mint helps to deter flea beetles, which chew irregular holes in the leaves.
The smell of garlic helps to deter aphids.
The strong scent of these herbs deters aphids and blackfly.
Sweet peas will attract pollinating insects which will in turn help to pollinate your bean flowers.
The onion scent will deter aphids.
The smell of mint deters aphids and other pests.
French Marigold(Tagetes patula)
The pungent smell of French marigolds deters whitefly.
The onion scent will deter aphids.
Basil reportedly improves tomato flavour and the strong scent of their leaves also deters aphids. A perfect partnership in the kitchen too!

For more detailed information please visit the Thompson and Morgan website here.