As a part of our Social and Horticultural Therapy sessions at Growing Ability, we come across many situations whereby activities in the garden are used to develop our clients socially, physically and mentally. The sessions we provide aim to improve confidence, self-esteem, health and well-being. Project Manager Liz McElroy takes us through one such situation: … Read more

The last Sunday in January saw our second, successful hedge laying day. Garden Club leader Steve Granger, who set up the activity and oversaw much of the preparation undertaken by our Garden Club, explains the process: In the run-up to the day itself, Garden Club carried out some essential preparation work over several Friday morning … Read more

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” ― Benjamin Franklin During January and February all of the Growing Ability Groups have been focusing on planning and laying the foundations for the year ahead. Taking advantage of the wintery weather conditions and shorter days, we have been reflecting on what has gone well … Read more

We’ve had a request from a local wildlife group who need volunteers to help toads this spring: The common toad is in decline. Many toads are killed crossing the road each spring as they make their way to breeding ponds. Could you help local toads to cross the road? Adult volunteers (at least 18 years … Read more

What is a Forest Garden? Forest gardens put the importance of plants at the very heart of their philosophy. They are modelled on the structure of natural woodland and range in size from a small back garden to several fields. All include a range of plants (mostly perennial and often multipurpose) grown together in ways … Read more

Liz McElroy describes what our Growing Ability groups have been up to this autumn: ‘We have been observing, harvesting and feasting on the spectacular abundance of seasonal foods this month during our Growing Ability and Growing Health sessions. This year has been perfect for our autumn display, from a wet start in spring, to a dry … Read more

Last weekend a group of Triangle Garden volunteers went scrumping (by invitiation) to a small orchard in Old Knebworth belonging to a Triangle Garden supporter. We spent almost two hours there and picked a car-load of apples for juicing. The party included two very young children who enjoyed pushing wheelbarrows of apples around and fetching … Read more

This week our Growing Health and Growing Ability projects got together to hold a harvest lunch in celebration of all the wonderful things they’ve been growing and eating over the year. The weather was glorious and friends, family, staff and volunteers were able to eat outside at tables set out beside the Pavilion. There was … Read more

We’re planning to create a little ‘Bee World’ of wildlfowers in Ransom’s Rec meadow this autumn, but to start things off, we’re conducting a little experiment with sunflowers … Sunflowers are very hungry plants and take up loads of nutrients from the soil in one season – the idea behind planting them first is to … Read more

If you missed our recent Open Day here is a short film that sums up the fun, made by one of our Garden Club volunteers Alan Hodgson: Despite the odd shower, we had a lovely afternoon with lots of fun activities for all ages including pond gazing, welly-wanging, junior archery, kids’ crafts, global food stalls … Read more