A very wintry morning

Feel better outside, feel better inside - Ecominds

Outdoor classroom day - 17 May 2018

For more information on how you could get involved please visit: https://outdoorclassroomday.org.uk/ 

Soon be time to put that habitat management training into practice again

Once it has warmed up a little more we will once again begin to put the fun, interesting and informative wildlife habitat training we received from Cumbria Wildlife Trust into practice on our wildlife banking areas.

A little colour on the "wildlife" banking area

How to grow tomato plants from seed - free advice from Thompson and Morgan

Helping our feathered friends - topping up bird feeders with suet

Free tree packs from Woodland Trust

The Woodland Trust wants to make sure that everybody in the UK has the chance to plant a tree. So they are giving away hundreds of thousands of trees to schools and communities. 

If you are interested you can find out more about the Trusts free tree packs and how you can apply at: http://www.woodlandtru.st/hE0ow

From the heat to the cold today

It was a tale of two extremes today with a summer like 24 degrees in the poly tunnel..........

.........and then needed to unfreeze the locks to some of the personal lockers in the arches

Happy memories of working with the Neighbourhood Management Team

It seems such a long time ago since we were working with the help of the Neighbourhood Management Team to install and repair the reptile fence following the habit surveys prior to construction of the grow your own scheme.

A lot has changed since then..........

A lone daffodil gracing a planter, hopefully it is the first of many

A couple of todays feathered visitors....

Checking and maintaining our nest boxes

An hour in the poly tunnel

Dividing and transplanting strawberry plants

Cleaning and maintaining some of our hand tools

Planters being prepared for the season ahead

Making a few repairs to some of our raised planters

Graham has been enjoying the sun and keeping his hand in by making a few repairs to his planters.

Time to start thinking about which seeds to sow

Iris flowering through slate chippings around our water feature

The demolition of 188 Marsh Street is well underway

Some maintenance needed to the hedges on the garden area

How to grow peppers and chillies from seed

If you can grow tomatoes chances are you will also be able to grow peppers and chillies with many varieties suited to being grown in containers.

For expert advice on growing peppers and chillies please visit the RHS website here.

Sowing seeds in the poly tunnel

Improving the condition of soil in a raised planter

A little time spent forking through and aerating soil in a raised planter which has helped to loosen any compacted soil and provided an opportunity to add a little more compost.

How to sow and grow carrots

More information and free advice on growing carrots can be found at Thompson and Morgan

Barrow Funding Event from Cumbria CVS

Cumbria CVS will be holding a funding event between 10am – 3pm on Thursday  8^th March at the Forum, Duke Street, Barrow.

At the event you will be able to speak directly to a variety of funders including: Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Community Foundation, Francis C Scott, Big Lottery Fund and Hadfield Trust.

The event is aimed at small local voluntary and community groups in the Barrow area.

For full details of funders attending and to download a booking form please visit Cumbria CVS here

An enjoyable way to spend the morning - building a mini beast hotel

A white welcome this morning

Preparing for the growing season in the poly tunnel

Some of our service users have been busy in the poly tunnel preparing their plant pots.

Cleaning plant pot trays and sowing some seeds in the poly tunnel

When to sow and grow vegetable seeds

Wanting to grow your own fresh vegetable but just not sure how to start? There are several websites that provided practical advice and top tip that could help you, such as those detailed below.

Free month by month "sow and grow" guides can be found at: Suttons Seeds

A vegetable seed sowing guide can be viewed and downloaded at Thompson and Morgan

Crocus beginning to flower on our wildlife banking area

A couple of todays hungry birds

Keeping our service users and visitors updated

Improving the condition of your soil

From time to time your soil will need a little care and attention to keep it at its best. Digging and turning over soil helps you to remove weeds and loosen  clumps of hard soil. This is an ideal time to add a little organic matter to help improve the condition of your soil, adding vital nutrients and improving drainage.

More information on how to improve the quality of your soil can be found at Gardeners World