Vicary's Field Community Garden

email     web

LATEST NEWS - 

October 2012 (scroll down for earlier news items)

Last Saturday (20th) we hosted our open day, which was a fantastic event and one that we hope will continue to be an annual inclusion in the Vicary's Field calendar.

This year we all went in the morning to the community orchard at Decoy to pick apples to press in the afternoon. At a guess the orchard had around 1/5 of the apples it produces normally – I think everyone commented about how few apples were produced this year (a result of the cold and wet summer).

From the orchard we went to the community garden and made a big bonfire to create lots of ash to cook our own potatoes. This year we also cooked apples stuffed with raisins, cinnamon and sugar in the fire. They were so yummy and we had to do a second lot!!
We have a friend that always brings his apple press to make juice.
We had nice weather and many people and families with children (that’s really lovely) that normally don’t come to the garden took part in it. We hope they will come back soon!

The photo gallery at the bottom of this page has several photos that were taken at last year's open day (we were too busy eating tasty baked potatos and apples this year to remember to take photos!).

_________________________________________________

Who we are (Dec 2009)

Transition Town Newton Abbot have leased a small plot of land to develop a community garden using permaculture as a method of growing.

Our Vision:

To create a community garden that involves a wide cross-section and large number of our community; is open 7 days a week, demonstrates organic growing and permaculture principles, educates and reskills all those involved.

_________________________________________________

April 2012

Having set out the Forest Garden and planted the key trees and shrubs in 2011, volunteers now want to look at gaining a more thorough understanding of how to develop the different planting layers and plant realationships as the forest garden grows. Permaculture designer Jane Pickard will be working with our group on 26th May to plan future planting and maintenance.

---

November 2011

HogCO funded a very successful 'Introduction to Veg Production' training course for members of the community garden, led by Chinnie Kingsbury. The plants for the forest garden, ordered from Martin Crawford, have arrived and members are keen to get planting!

---

Oct 2010

The community garden now has productive raised beds and a lovely pond. The group's next project is to get their forest garden planted and HogCO is providing advice on the design as well as funding for the plants.

---

July 2010

After initial discussions about the project, HogCO organised two sessions on permaculture design for the group. We also provided information about funding sources and health and safety issues. One member was funded to attend a Thrive workshop on how to make your community garden more accessible to people with special needs. Members of the group have also attended training on governance, planning, basic gardening.

summer 2010	raised beds
hexagonal beds	great idea!
early days - February 2010	permaculture design workshop
Vicary's Field Open Day 2011	Open day 2011- apple pressing
Open day wood crafts