Our poly tunnel is attracting a variety of butterflies

Common blue butterfly

National Citizens Service visit

Young people who are taking part in the National Citizens Service visiting the Green Heart Den as a planning exercise and to learn more about our community project as a whole. The activity had been arranged by Inspira (formerly Connexions Cumbria) who are working with communities in Cumbria and across the UK, delivering careers guidance to individuals, schools and colleges and support for at-risk young people.

Wildlife identification workshop session

Wildlife identification workshop, as facilitated by Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Wildflowers, butterflies, bees and more - a workshop looking at the abundant wildlife at Green Heart Den. During the session attendees we taught how to identify a variety of species and the role they play in our urban environment.

Funding to enable the training workshops has been provided from a grant we were awarded by People’s Health Trust using money raised by Healthable Community Interest Company through The Health Lottery.

Quote for the week......

"If we are not happy, if we are not peaceful, we cannot share peace and happiness with others, even those we love, those who live under the same roof. If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile and blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace." - Thich Nhat Hanh 

Small tortoiseshell butterflies

Gatekeeper butterflies

FREE and fun gardening, growing, crafts and wildlife workshops in August

FREE workshop - wildflowers, butterflies, bees and more....

We are looking forward to hosting the FREE training workshop tomorrow, facilitated by Cumbria Wildlife Trust. Wildflowers, butterflies, bees and more - a workshop looking at the abundant wildlife at Green Heart Den. Attendees will learn how to identify different species and the role they play in our urban environment.

Growing crops in small spaces

Where space is limited there are a large variety of crops which can be grown  in pots, containers and grow bags. Plants such as; beetroot, broad beans, carrots, Dwarf French beans, peas, potatoes, radishes, runner beans, chillies and peppers, onions, strawberries, herbs and tomatoes can all be grown successfully in small spaces.

As small containers can dry out quickly it is best to use a pot/container that is at least 30 - 45 cm (12 - 18 inches) deep and wide and to add water retaining crystals to the compost.

As the amount of soil/compost in pots is limited plants can run out of nutrients, particularly after regular watering where nutrients can be flushed out. To help avoid this you can use a good slow release fertiliser mixed in with compost and depending on the variety, a high potassium feed for fruiting plants such as tomatoes and peppers or a feed high in nitrogen for leafy crops. 

For more information please visit RHS - Vegetables in containers

Potentilla in our mixed planted borders

A pair of meadow brown butterflies

Cinnabar moth caterpillars

How to make a bat box

For more information about bats, please visit the Bat Conservation Trust website

How to make a bird nest box

The thickness of the wood, which should be at least 15mm to provide insulation and to prevent warping.

It is better to nail your box together using galvanised nails to stop rust.

Drill a few holes in the base of your box to ensure that any rain that does get in can drain out.

Different size holes are suitable for different species:

25mm or larger for Blue, Coal and Marsh Tit

28mm or larger for Great Tit and Tree Sparrow

32mm for House Sparrow

More information about birds can be found on the RSPB website

Gardening in the sun...with safety in mind

It's not only plants that can struggle in hot, dry weather. When working in the garden in hot conditions, it is important to take precautions which can help reduce the risk to your health. There are several actions you can take to reduce this risk.

Avoid gardening during the hottest part of the day (11am - 3pm)

Have regular breaks, out of the sun

Wear a hat

Wear light coloured, loose fitting cotton clothing

Use a sun cream (minimum protection factor 30)

Have non alcoholic drinks regularly, even if you are not thirsty

Barrow's Wildlife Bonanza. 12 noon - 4pm, Saturday 20th July at Barrow Park

Growing well, and colourfully together

Musk mallow on the wildlife banking area

Our phacelia is proving to be a magnet for bumblebees

Summer at our community grow your own scheme

Upcoming training workshop sessions

Thank all those who attended sessions during the recent programme of training workshops, we hope you found them interesting, informative and fun. Thank you also to our training facilitators; Cumbria Wildlife Trust Officer Sue Thurley and Jennifer Lauruol from Carpe Diem Garden Design.

We are in the process of organising the next programme of training workshops which we will be confirming shortly. Sessions to include:

1. Propagating and taking cuttings
2. Art in the garden (drawing/painting etc)
3. On site cook and eat (using rocket stove and kelly kettle)

Funding to enable the training workshops has been provided from a grant we were awarded by People’s Health Trust using money raised by Healthable Community Interest Company through The Health Lottery.

Gardening tips and advice

Allotment Gardening - Help and advice for growing fruit vegetables and herbs
Garden Organic - National charity for organic growing
Royal Horticultural Society - grow your own
Vertical Veg - food growing in containers and tiny spaces: ideas, inspiration and practical advice.

Thrive - National charity helping people with a disability to start or continue gardening.

Croftlands Trust tending their raised planter

Age UK Barrow harvesting their crop of vegetables

A common lizard takes a stroll on the banking area

Inspira, National Citizens Service activity

Young people making bird boxes and getting the opportunity to meet Orinocco the barn owl as part of their involvement in the National Citizens service. The activity had been arranged by Inspira (formerly Connexions Cumbria) who are working with communities in Cumbria and across the UK, delivering careers guidance to individuals, schools and colleges and support for at-risk young people.Their activities are supported by Grahame Smith, Outreach Cordinator at Victoria High School Ulverston , World Owl Trust member and an avid volunteer at the World Owl Centre at Muncaster Castle.

Recycled tyre planter

Picture accredited to "Repurposing 24/7" 

Gardening for wildlife workshop

Wildlife gardening workshop "how to make your garden or allotment more wildlife friendly" as facilitated by Cumbria Wildlife Trust Officer Sue Thurley.

Funding to enable the workshop sessions was provided by a grant we received from People’s Health Trust using money raised by Healthable Community Interest Company through The Health Lottery.