Permaculture - an introduction 28th April

Want to find out more about permaculture and see some aspects of it in action?
There will be a short introductory course at the Big Garden on Saturday 28th April led by Permaculture Diploma students Ben Lambert with Bob Mehew. Places are limited so please get in touch if you are interested: jo.wheatley@colchester.gov.uk

BIG Harvest on Campus

Amazing! The Campus Farm only started in March this year, but the once bare field of grass quickly turned into a vibrant garden and our first harvest is surely worthwhile showing off. It's all organic, all natural.

Plot B's potato abundance...

...and their impressive pumpkins!

Bounty

Summer harvests at the Big Garden have been bountiful and certainly tasty...

Gardening continues year round on Monday and Thursday mornings and alternate Saturdays, more info here

Potatoes!

Big Garden potato harvesting today.
A bucket full from 4 plants seemed good going. Health client volunteers gently unearthed and dug them up, marvelling at the pinky red treasures.
Volunteers also harvested and shared some glossy courgettes, spiky skinned poly-tunnel grown cucumbers and shiny rhubarb chard with its vibrant red stalks. And, of course, lots of pole beans. Beans, beans galore!
Yum

Buzzy Day @ the Campus Farm

Today our much anticipated little helpers arrived with Orlando, our lovely beekeeper. After a long and bumpy ride across town, which made them go very quiet as Orlando told me, the bees finally arrived at their new location next to the Campus Farm.

A few impressions from "Greeting the Bees"

We are initially getting 2 hives, with room to keep up to 6

Orlando is bravely taking off the tape to "Release the Beests", as he said

And here they are, the first bees dare to emerge from their hive

...ready to have a look around, exploring their new location (all still a bit confused as it seems...)

Aren't they fascinating?

Now let them settle in for their first night on campus (always exciting), ready to have an exploration flight in the morning (over to our lovely broad beans, nasturtiums and courgettes, please) and hopefully we'll get some delicious honey, too. And looking forward to get to know them better!

Station Community Garden, Transition Wivenhoe

The Station Community Garden is in its second year at Wivenhoe railway station, making use of the garden area around the disused station house. Network Rail gave permission for the garden last year when Off the Rails and Transition Wivenhoe worked together to grow mostly monster squash and sunflowers!

This year the range of food from this small space has grown: different beans, kale, tomatoes, beetroot, salad crops, potatoes, courgettes, peas, leeks, different brassicas and more!  While harvesting today, a kind donation of 2 more water butts arrived, thanks Tom; and veggies were shared with passers by. All are welcome on Sundays at 3pm to share and learn food growing skills, and sometimes Kelly Kettle tea! Call Jo 01206 827649 for more info.

 Wendy the station puss guards the scarecrow, bless.

Campus Farm Photos 2

Our newest additions: the herb spiral

Big raised bed, made from doors cut in half

This year: Courgettes, squashes & pumkins