Growing Spaces Project Action Plan

Design Action Plan - Information, next steps and what you can be doing.
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Action Plan

Thanks to all participants:
Firstly a big thank you to everyone who came to the design session on Wednesday 25th March, your input and enthusiasm was valued and appreciated. We had a good observation walk around the proposed space and did some creative work. I'm pleased we got through so much in the time and ended up with a proposed garden design and recorded loads of great ideas. Really hope you enjoyed it, any feedback welcome.

The general picture of the space which really came through from everyone in the design team was that of a place of organic diversity incorporating a range of different environments using the space as a social space as much as a growing area, including a raised organic veg bed, some terracing on the slope, a pond, benches and sitting area, shelter for people, a willow arch, nursery space, hedging, plants among the trees, mushroom logs, fruit bushes, and everything being as attractive to wildlife and as edible as possible. We considered accessibility, aesthetics for all the senses and the practicality of gardening on a slope, as well as what plants we wanted to grow, and animals we wanted to attract, as well as the kinds of events we might want to hold there. Well done to all!

Next Steps:
The next step is for me to present the ideas which came from the group to Richard, Head Gardener as I think it's really important to have his input and support with this project. I hope to meet with him next week.

I will be base mapping the site next Thursday at 6pm with some people from the group, so we have an accurate measured site plan. If you would like to come and learn how to do this please be in touch.

Also to propose a 'wish list' of things we will need with the help of some Ecoversity funding - any ideas welcome.

It's then my job to write a design report based on the group's work which will be made available for everyone to see though it's possible we can start work on the site before this.

What you can be doing:
If you have any propagating facilities at home, or access to some, please plant some extra seeds and grow them on for the garden. It's difficult to say exactly when, as it depend on so many factors, though we are hoping to start being able to begin to plant some things in the next month.

If you have any tools or gardening equipment at home you are prepared to bring to the garden to use, or even any which you could donate, please let me know and I'll make a group resource list.

If you are interested in learning more about Permaculture, please have a read of the attached e-book for you to have a look at, which gives a good overview of the way in which we intend to approach cultivating and developing this area. I have a book list and some information resources available if you would like to know more (it's a big subject!) please be in touch if this is your thing.

If you discover anything which may be of use to the project which anyone is giving away, (examples being trellising, pond liners, wood chip, logs, a shed, plants, or anything you think we may be able to
use...) please encourage and help them to give it away to us.

If you are staying around in the summer break and anticipate that you will want to work on the garden please drop me a quick reply; it would be good to know in advance.

If you think of anything I have missed, or have any suggestions, please do be in touch. We are planning a mailing list shortly to help manage the growing number of people interested, will update you as and when this happens.

Also be aware that as we all are I am doing this in my spare time because I enjoy it, though this means I may not be able to respond quickly as you would like, if this is ever the case please forgive me - thanks, Ros.
30 March 2009