Larkhall Community

The new Larkhall community garden is starting to take shape. The garden is located next to the nursery in Alice Park and in November, work began with volunteers from Transition Larkhall Food Group helping to weed and clear plots with other areas being covered with cardboard, to smother out the weeds and grass.

We’ll be doing some experimenting in the garden to find the most effective ways to raise fruit and vegetables – and one of the debates is whether you actually need to dig your veg garden at all, or follow what’s called the ‘no-dig’ method. Those whose backs complain at too much bending might also be glad to hear we will have at least two taller beds, which will be at a suitable height for wheelchair users.

We were all sad to hear of the passing of councillor Richard Maybury, who has been such a supporter of Transition Larkhall and of making Larkhall an oasis of fruit and nut trees and local produce. He had asked if we might include two damson trees in the garden, and we will be planting these as a memorial to him.

Do come along and see what we are doing in the garden this spring. We aim to be there most Sundays, but look out for notices, and sign up to the Transition Larkhall email group.

Contact karolinetransition@yahoo.co.uk.

Spring growing tips from our members:

* If you haven’t grown fruit and veg before it can feel overwhelming at first. Start with a few varieties that you like. Salad leaf mixes are easy, even in a windowbox, and a cheap, fresh alternative to bagged salads – Caroline.

* Sweet peas are always first on my list. They need constant picking and provide a welcome incentive to check on the garden evey few days – Kathy.

* You can start peas, beans and broad beans indoors in long seed pots, or plant into a toilet roll tube which can then go straight in the ground. Try ‘sugar snap’ and ‘mangetout’ varieties – they give more for your effort, and no waste – Kathy.

* Plant fruit trees and bushes from now until March. I’m going to put ‘cordons’ (a slanting single-stemmed tree) against our garden for a fruit harvest from a small space – Caroline.

Transition Larkhall is a voluntary community-led initiative that aims to support Larkhall as it adapts to the changes demanded by the challenges of Climate Change and Peak Oil. Practically, this means measures such as helping people towards insulating their homes, grant applications for renewable energy in schools, and supporting local shops and food production.