Sandgate Community Garden Team Diary Entry for 3rd September: A fabulous day and the weather was just perfect.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who donated plants for the Sea Festival and to everyone who came along on the day to support us either to buy plants/vegetables, or to help out at the stall or with setting up and clearing away – it was a fabulous day and the weather was just perfect too. It was a great atmosphere, and lovely to be alongside our sister groups the Sandgate Society and Sandgate Environmental Action. We raised a massive £414.54; the ‘guess the weight of the hamper’ was popular, featuring a selection of organic vegetables grown by us, it was won by Lesley with a spot on guess, give or take a few grams. We would like to say many thanks to the Parish Council for giving us a space at the Festival which was very much appreciated.
On the bank holiday Monday a group of volunteers came out from the Napier barracks to help shift lots of wood chips from the lower path in Enbrook Park, right up to the garden where they are needed to replenish the pathways. They also helped to turn the compost heaps too which was a great help.
On Tuesday there was an invitation to visit the Lynsted Kitchen Community Garden which was a real treat, followed by a meeting with the Kent Food Partnership. This group is part of the Good Food Movement which is holding a summit at the University of Kent in early October and will showcase many projects and initiatives in Kent – we will be representing Sandgate there.
On Wednesday Kate Strong came to Folkestone on her bamboo bike as part of a 3,000 mile ride around the circumference of mainland Britain. During her ride she has visited more than 50 innovative climate projects and schools across the country. It was a privilege to be able to talk to her about her journey, and she was able to help us with information about projects she had seen. She finished her mission on Saturday in London.
In the meantime there has been sunshine and showers in Sandgate, with the rainfall for August recorded at 77.8mm. As a result, it was found that the dreaded blight has reached Enbrook Park and so the tomatoes will have to be removed. We made a start on Saturday, and guess we need to be grateful that it has taken quite so long to get to the park.
The last of the Claytonia got pricked out, extra water given to the new plantings of radishes, mustards and spring onions, as well as to the celery and celeriac trying to swell and make something of themselves. Some hoops got found to help keep the netting off the newly planted lettuces and there has been plenty of grumblings about the holes being made in many of the leaves by slugs, snails and caterpillars!
What’s Next?
- Finish removing and composting the tomato plants
- Start to lay wood chips on the paths
- Keep watering the celery and celeriac plus new plants
This weeks update from the Sandgate Community Garden Diary.