Introduction

In our vibrant community woodlands, every session is filled with enthusiasm, teamwork, and a shared love for nature. Recently, a group of dedicated individuals including Olga, Oleana, Jacqueline, Susy, Miss Goode, and the enthusiastic pupils from St. Joseph’s school joined forces to engage in a fulfilling gardening session. Their main focus was on preparing the beds and planting sweetcorn, along with the exciting addition of a pumpkin patch. Let’s dive into the details of this wonderful endeavour and discover how our community is fostering growth, sustainability, and connection through gardening.

Preparing the Beds

The first task at hand was preparing the garden beds, ensuring the soil was nutrient-rich and ready to embrace the upcoming plants. Our hardworking team donned their gardening gloves and set to work, raking over the beds previously filled with rotted horse manure and straw and then covered with fresh compost and raking it leveli. This created the perfect foundation for a successful growing season.

Planting Sweetcorn

With the beds ready, it was time to plant the young sweetcorn which susy and Tom had grown in root trainers. Sweetcorn, with its tall stalks and deliciously tender cobs, has always been a favourite among our community members. Guided by experienced gardeners, the pupils from St. Joseph’s and Jacqueline, Olga and Oleana eagerly took part in the process, learning about proper spacing,  and watering techniques. 

The Pumpkin Patch

Adding a touch of autumnal magic to our community woodlands, the team at St. Joseph’s embarked on a delightful venture by planting pumpkins. These vibrant orange fruits, beloved for their versatility and association with Halloween, were carefully placed in a dedicated pumpkin patch. Under the watchful eyes of Olga, Oleana, Jacqueline, Susy, and Miss Goode, the pupils lovingly nestled the pumpkin plants into the hot soil, imagining the future jack-o’-lanterns they would create come harvest time. This addition to our community woodlands promises to bring a sense of seasonal wonder and anticipation for all members to enjoy and will hopefully supply us with pumpkins for our autumn pumpkin carving event.

The Importance of Community Involvement

The success of our community woodlands lies not only in the seeds we plant but also in the connections we cultivate. Collaborative projects like these provide invaluable opportunities for people of all ages to come together, share knowledge, and work towards a common goal. As the pupils from St. Joseph’s interacted with experienced community members, they gained practical skills, nurtured a sense of responsibility towards the environment, and formed lasting bonds. The invaluable lessons they learned extend beyond the garden, fostering empathy, teamwork, and an appreciation for the natural world, oh and they were adventurous in trying new tastes such as , cavola Nero, chives, sugar snaps and , chard

Looking Forward

With the sweetcorn and pumpkins now planted, our community woodlands hold the promise of an abundant harvest. As the seasons progress, we eagerly anticipate the sight of the cornstalks reaching for the sky, and the pumpkin vines sprawling across the patch, gradually transforming into plump and vibrant fruits. These upcoming moments of growth and abundance will not only serve as a testament to our collective efforts but also provide an opportunity for celebration and shared joy.

Conclusion

The recent gardening session at our community woodlands was yet another inspiring chapter in our ongoing journey towards fostering a sustainable and connected community. The dedication of Olga, Oleana, Jacqueline, Susy, Miss Goode, and the pupils from St. Joseph’s brought life to the garden beds as they planted sweetcorn and created a delightful pumpkin patch. This endeavour exemplifies the power of community involvement, as we nurture not only the land but also the connections that bring us together. As we eagerly await the coming seasons, we anticipate a bountiful harvest that will serve as a reminder of our collective achievements and the beauty of our community gardens

The captivating images showcased above capture the vibrant array of fresh produce thriving in our community allotment and greenhouse. These flourishing gardens play a vital role in supporting Charlie’s fabulous food on a budget sessions at the Sirhowy community centre, providing an abundant supply of vegetables for her engaging and educational free cookery demonstration sessions.