Things are going well at the community gardening project at Antrim Castle Gardens. This is our 2nd year in the gardens working as a volunteer group and we've expanded our projects to include growing more plants from seed, growing a variety of herbs and heirloom veg as well as expanding the spaces we maintain.
Left: pear trees are producing! We've apples, strawberries, currants, gooseberries and rhubarb - our yields aren't big but this means there's room for improvement!
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| Above and Below: Inside the greenhouse we sow seed and move it out into the garden. Permanent plants this summer have included tomato (purple cherry), peppers, cucumbers and a grapevine. Below: Cherry tomatoes are beginning to ripen. |
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| Above: Out in the vegetable growing area we have broccoli, cabbage, lettuces, leek, celery, turnip, kale, radish, parsley and a range of other crops. We've started sharing our veg with visitors to the gardens and they're delighted to take home a few potatoes or some herbs, etc. There's only a few of our members that like to cook in the group - me being one of them -I have an endless supply of ingredients each week for cooking! |
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| Above: one of the seven flower beds we are currently maintaining - deadheading never seizes to end! This year we divided most of the perennial plants. The next job we must try is propagating as we could provide visitors with lovely new plants to take home! |
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When you give plants or veg to visitors, do you ask them to make a donation towards the cost of the upkeep of the garden?
ReplyDeleteHi Mark, sometimes we ask for a donation but sometimes we give people a little gift to take away with them and it really seems to make their day!
DeleteEverything is looking great :o)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great greenhouse to work in and the last photo is beautiful and the veggie bit it so lush. You've done a tremendous job.
ReplyDeleteThe garden is thriving. Give it time and it will surpass your expectations.
ReplyDeleteThat's very fruitful community garden! The vegetables look so fresh and pest free!
ReplyDeleteThe veg garden looks really healthy and it is nice you get to share in the harvest. The greenhouse is really nice...love the whole tour. The group is doing an excellent job!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a brilliant project with everyone, including visitors to the garden, getting plenty out of it. You must be thrilled to have such beautiful fresh veg to take home with you.
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