New for 2017

The website is undergoing a bit of a spring tidy. We hope it will be easier to see see whats happening at our community garden, how to get involved and maybe even offer a few hints and tips! Whilst we work on it please bear with us. Many thanks in advance to Frances (computing undergraduate) who is giving invaluable help and advice on how to improve our site.

In 2016 we had a great year in the garden. Some of the things we go up to include: Spring Gathering, Hanging Baskets, Bee keeping demos, Photography projects, Poetry and More.

We are starting to get together ideas for 2017 events and workshops so watch this space! If you would like to get updates please subscribe to our newsletter.

A Brilliant Weekend at A Space 2 Grow

This weekend we hosted two events. On Saturday we had our Brilliant Bulbs in Bloom event to celebrate our first year of being on the site and welcome back those who helped us plant over 1000 bulbs last autumn. On Sunday we hosted Spring Fest an event organised by Sustainable Sunderland to showcase growing projects across Sunderland. These included Grow Sunderland, Sustainable Sunderland, Eco Logik, Groundwork, OPAL, ICOS Green, Exchange and Change and more. All enjoyed refreshments offered by Bedes Bakehouse. 

Many thanks to everyone that came and made the weekend a big success.

This video shows a few clips of some of the things we got up to.

Busy Bees & events @ A Space 2 Grow

This weekend we have been busy bees. Our resident beekeeper Matt did the first bee hive inspection of the year (see the video below).Volunteers have been planting seeds, digging and watering and getting things ready for events next weekend:

• 19th March 10.30 am -4 pm Brilliant Bulbs in Bloom. 
• Come and see our garden, the bulbs planted last Autumn and the bees. Take part  fun activities including seed planting, get arty in the green house and enjoy an Easter egg hunt. 
• 20th March 2 pm – 4 pm Sustainable Sunderland Spring Fest 
• A fun afternoon learning about growing and environmental projects across Sunderland. Activities include bug hotels, Easter egg hunt, live music and refreshments from Bedes Bakehouse.
• For info See: http://www.sustainablesunderland.org.uk/

For updates see www.facebook.acom/aspace2grow

The Venerable Bees – Close Up !

If you liked the previous Bee post, I hope you enjoy this fun slow mo close up of our Bees.

The Venerable Bees

After a wet and cold winter we have been just a little concerned about how our new colony would cope. Today the warm rays of the sun encouraged our bees to come out. It seems there are doing just fine. We are looking forward to some honey this summer, venerable honey that is.

Spring Events @ A Space 2 Grow

As Spring approaches we’re looking forward to seeing lots of volunteers, and lots of produce and flowers in the garden again. We have now started sowing seeds in the warmth and protection of the greenhouse to start off the new season’s planting.

During March and April volunteer sessions will be Saturdays between 10 am -2 pm

We also hope to start a midweek volunteer session soon.

There are also a number of events:

Please note: 5th March 2 – 5 Fruit Tree Grafting Workshop – Postponed for now

Events in March:

19th March 10.30am  – 4pm March Brilliant Bulbs in Bloom @ A Space 2 Grow

We are celebrating our first birthday with some fun stuff along with the usual gardening activities we get up to :

• Come and see the bulbs planted in November in full bloom
• Help us decorate the glass in the greenhouse with spring themed art
• Get growing – kids and adults alike can plant seeds to take away or donate to our kitchen garden
• Enjoy Easter Egg hunt

Some of our team like to bring cake, so get to the garden early for a slice!

20th March 2 – 5 pm Sustainable Sunderland Spring Fest                                                              – hosted by St Peters Church & A Space 2 Grow

Come and see a range of groups and organisations involved in growing food, conservation and environmental projects. Lots of fun activities. Live music.

Events after Easter (dates tbc): 

April

• Hanging basket workshop

May

• Introduction to beekeeping day
• Get Arty: Make a pinhole camera (session 1)

For all updates see www.facebook.com/aspace2grow or Twitter @aspace2grow

Alternatively email:  info@aspace2grow.org.uk

 

 

 

Busy being arty at A Space 2 Grow

Is Spring on its way?

The days are getting slightly longer and the spring bulbs are starting to shoot here at A Space 2 Grow.

Autumn Colours at A Space 2 Grow

Sunset over the quiet garden. Amazingly the bed of wild flowers are still in a beautiful splash of colour alongside the lavendar.

As the evenings draw in and the clocks have gone back, activity in the garden slows down. Here are some photo’s around the garden taken 30th October.

Our cauliflower is coming on nicely, although our resident pigeons may have been nibbling them. Time to get some nets up?

A Single white Rose remains.

Looking out to across the kitchen garden, the trees across the road are a wonderful blend of oranges and reds.

A Fantastic Afternoon of Brilliant Bulbs

It was a beautiful crisp autumn afternoon today at A Space 2 Grow and well over 30 volunteers helped plant what could have been over a 1000 bulbs(we lost count after 800). We also saw a number of judges from Britain in Bloom, who just happened to be passing, pop in to have a look around and some couldn’t help getting stuck in with planting.

We can’t wait to see the flowers in bloom next spring they include Bluebells, Snowdrops, Daffodils, Tulips, Lent Lilly and Star of Bethlehem. A big thank you to all that came to help out.