March is here and we have some wonderful things happening in the garden. Come along to our seed swap and nettle day on the 19th to make rope from plant fibres, cook nettle soup over an open fire, take part in our very own herbarium project and of course get ready to grow with seeds and advice from expert growers. The Nature Effect will also be holding one of their fabulous Creative Nature felting workshops with the theme of animals and eggs to get us in the mood for spring. We will have activities suitable for all ages and we very much look forward to welcoming you to our first open event of the year.
We have a special evening on the 21st when Jackie and Emma will be sharing some of their thoughts and experiences of The Wolf Clan, a very special mentoring project for girls in East Oxford.
On March 30th Nick Cope will be holding a special spring family concert in the garden particular suitable for younger children.
In April we will be starting a Saturday volunteer gardening group led by experienced gardener and horticulturalist Charlotte Attlee. This is a great opportunity to develop your gardening skills with a programme of activities to take you through spring, summer and autumn. Details of this and other events below and on our website and facebook page.
As always the cabin and garden can be booked for your own event and there are regular groups meeting throughout the year, including several youth groups. If you would like to book the garden, share your skills at an event, join in and get more involved, please contact the garden's coordinator Jacqui at [email protected] Tel: 07729 655543 http://www.barrackslanegarden.org.uk/
Forthcoming Events: Everyone welcome
Nettle fest and seed swap
On Saturday 19th March we are celebrating the wonderful resource that is the nettle and exploring its many uses. Learn more about this amazing plant, make nettle soup over an open fire, drink nettle tea, make rope from plant fibre, find out some amazing facts and stories about this common plant. We hope you will also bring your stories and memories about nettles and contribute to our herbarium. We are combining our Nettle fest with our annual seed swap, an opportunity to share seeds, get tips on propagation and get ready to grow!
The Nature Effect will be running a Creative Nature felting workshops making animals and eggs for spring.
All welcome. Suggested donation of £5 per household to support our wonderful community garden. Saturday 19th March 11am - 4pm
The Nature Effect presents: Mentoring Girls in Oxford - the present and the future
Monday 21st March from 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Donations to support the garden gratefully received.
For two years Emma Hood and myself, as associates of The Nature Effect, have run a monthly mentoring circle for girls in East Oxford, called The Wolf Clan. As we enter our third year with the same girls, we want to share what we have been doing and what we have learnt. We are also aware that there are very many more girls who could benefit from mentoring, and we would like to grow the model. Specifically, some of The Wolf Clan have sisters who want to start now!
Would you like to become a mentor? Do you have questions? Please come and be part of the conversation!
Jackie Singer R.S.V.P. to [email protected]
Easter concert with Nick Cope
Wednesday 30th March 2016. Show starts at 10.00am. Gates open at 9.30am. Arrive early to avoid disappointment. £4 per person. For more information contact Nick (not the garden) at [email protected]
Volunteer Gardening and Skill Sharing Group
1st and 3rd Saturday starting April 2nd 2016. 11.30am - 4.30pm
Would you like to know more about gardening and plant stewardship? Would you enjoy gardening with others and sharing your skills?
We are running a social gardening group at the garden on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from April through until October 2016. Come and join us from 11.30am – 4.30pm.
The group will be led by experienced gardener and horticulturalist Charlotte Attlee who will be sharing her skills, knowledge and enthusiasm. This is part of a larger project called Our Heritage of Common Plants and is linked to a series of events which celebrate the uses of familiar plants in cooking, medicine, folklore and craft.
The group is suitable for all – whatever your experience or physical fitness or mobility. For further information including a monthly plan of activities email [email protected] or visit our website's resources section.
You can just turn up and you are welcome to come for all or just some of the time. Please wear suitable clothes and bring a packed lunch if you are staying for the day. Tea and coffee provided.
May blossom and plant share
Join us to make drinks and cordials with elder and rose flowers. Make rose face cream at a Creative Nature workshop.
Bring and share plants and growing tips. Saturday 21st May 11am - 4pm
Celebrating summer with herbs for heath and well-being
With a focus on lavender and mint we will be making lotions and potions and exploring the use of herbs for health and well-being. Join us to celebrate summer in our beautiful community garden. Saturday 16th July 11am - 4pm
Harvest Festival
Join us for harvesting, foraging, apple pressing, cordial making and preserving. Bring crops to share, apples to press and celebrate our community harvest. Saturday 8th October 11am – 4pm
