Sandgate Community Garden: Update 10 October 2021

The return of some warmer and drier weather was certainly a welcome relief, and on Saturday the garden was alive with butterflies, bees and dragonflies, as well as gardeners and visitors all making the most of it.  Such a contrast to the previous Saturday, with lashing rain and high winds,  After the garden session, there was a migration to the harbour to at last sample the green Hythe Hop beer and very good it was too. 

Here is some information from Hythe Hops about where you can sample the green ale from Docker and HopFuzz but you will have to be quick as it will not last long.

“Official launch of 2021 Docker and HopFuzz Green Hop Ales made using our hops takes place at Docktoberfest at Folkestone Harbour (East Yard) from 12 noon Saturday (9th October).

“The same Green Hop Ales (Red Green Hop Ale and HopBuzz) are to be/have been distributed to the following local pubs:

Beer Shop – Folkestone

Docker Tap Room – East Yard, Folkestone Harbour

The Goods Shed – Canterbury

Unit 1 – West Hythe

Bouverie Tap – Folkestone

Broken Drum – London

Duke William – Ickham

Freed Man – Deal/Walmer

Hidden Treasure – Dymchurch

Inn Doors – Sandgate

Larkins Alehouse – Cranbrook

Lighthouse – Deal

Smugglers – New Romney

Tankerton Arms – Tankerton

Three Mariners – Hythe

Unit 1 – West Hythe

Waterworks – Rye

“We cannot guarantee precisely where and when beers will become available or sell out so if you’re planning to make a special trip to any please check with the pub first.”

Very busy as usual in the garden.  Some spare plants, seeds onion and garlic sets were handed over to the nursery children at Saga so that they can get planting and sowing.  We always look forward to seeing what they are growing in their playground.  We took down the last of the tomato plants, cleared the ransacked beetroot bed where the badgers had helped themselves, and removed the dwarf beans.  We now need to get the cleared beds prepared for new plantings, and make space for the compost heaps to be turned as our current bin is really full to bursting.

On Wednesday after the garden session, some of us made our way to the Folkestone Fringe event ‘Re-Rooting’ to set up our planter and plants.  The planter will be there until the 30th October.  We enjoyed setting it up and being able to take part in something different, and hope that visitors will enjoy seeing what is looking good in October.

Below is a picture showing some of the fungi that has suddenly appeared on the plot and in some of the beds.  Fungi is a welcome sight and we just let it be to do its thing as it does no harm.  So much to understand still about the role of fungi in the garden, but as an organic ‘no dig’ garden it certainly encourages plenty of it.

What’s next?

  • Plant some of the mustards still in seed trays
  • Plant more mustards in mushroom trays for the cold frames
  • Check on the Re-Rooting planter for water levels and condition of the plants
  • Sow broad beans in large modules
  • Plant garlic and onion sets in large modules