Lyle Gateway

ICFN facilitated 4 (and a bit) Growing Sessions @ Lyle Gateway Community Garden. We were delighted to be joined by Lyle Gateway staff & volunteers,  The Kidron Project staff & volunteers & iFIT staff & volunteers. We started the sessions by getting to know the growing space and each other. After a long winter, we started with a general tidy of the garden, followed by preparing the raised beds for planting, this included weeding, and laying fresh compost

As the weeks progressed, participants took ownership of the space and put their names to the raised beds.  Thereafter, we planted an array of vegetables and herbs (of choice), created a potting shed from one of the garden huts and updated the garden plan (printed, laminated and on display in the potting shed – thank you Carolyn).

Many of the veg and herbs were donated by Parklea Branching Out.

Jane is participating in Aromatherapy Sessions @ Branchton Community Centre. Keen to progress her learning, Jane has planted a range of herbs including thyme, rosemary, lavender, marjoram, clary sage & lemon balm. When grown, Jane will facilitate a workshop to show us how to make essential oils, healing balm’s etc.

Cheryl is new to growing, and other than the blueberry bush, she planted everything in her space from seed, we are all excited to see how they grow.

Each week brought sunshine, fun, laugher, and all involved shared how great they felt after each session, finding it therapeutic and relaxing whilst also physically satisfying. Week on week the space looked better, and there was a sense of  achievement in what we had done, both individually and as a connected collective.

We look forward to harvest time at Lyle Gateway Community Garden and will be back to help harvest, cook, share and eat the food that we have grown together.