Return of the inspiring Incredible Edibles
when you’re filling them with compost. They expand as they soak up moisture and release it slowly, making the soil more efficient at holding water that would otherwise drain away.
During especially hot weather, move containers or pots into shady spots. Pot wheels – like little furniture castors – will give you the flexibility to move your pots without breaking your back.
To keep your lawn looking fresh during the warm summer months, it is wise to let it grow slightly longer.
I’d heighten the cutting blades on your mower by between one and two inches. The more blades of grass, the more moisture the lawn can hold.
Any plant that’s in flower or producing fruit will need more water too.
And remember, it’s never good to feed plants when they’re dry. Only feed plants that have been well-watered beforehand. The key when using liquid feed is to make sure the plant is already hydrated.
And finally, if you’re planting new shrubs and trees, you will need to do plenty of extra watering until they send out their new root systems.
gardener Sahira Ward enlisted friends, neighbours and family to transform a piece of waste ground. The project was aimed at bringing the community together – especially youngsters.
The core gardening team consists of eight people. But neighbours old and young regularly turn out to grow fruit and veg and take care of the flowers.
The ‘Incredible Edible’ team installed a mixture of raised beds in Katherine Drive in Dunstable, Beds, where they grow everything from pumpkins and courgettes to turnips and soft fruit.
The project uses recycled soil and horse manure from local stables, with recycled objects as planters. They’ve also added a teak tree seat, herb spiral and solar-powered water feature.
The team previously won a sustainability award in our Cultivation Street competition. This year, they are vying for the Community Street gong for best neighbourhood project, which has a top prize of £10,000 in National Garden Gift Vouchers.
Many in the area live in flats with no gardens, so the project gives them a green space to enjoy. Alongside the produce, Sahira says: “The biggest harvest is the friendship, camaraderie and feeling of community pride which proves giving back really does make a huge difference to people’s lives.”
For entry details and to-do lists, visit daviddomoney.com/cultivation-street.
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