Page 43 - ALG Issue 3 2021

Growing Naturally at Ryder Brow
Ryder Brow Community Allotment Society (RBCAS) has been blessed with assistance from
Our Manchester Covid-Impact Fund. We will be welcoming ALL members of the community
to access this FREE relaxing gardening opportunity to support any group of Manchester residents including:
• Disability
• BAME
• LGBTQ+
• North Manchester residents
• Older people (65 years and
older)
The volunteering workshops will be a basic beginners introduction to organic gardening. The beneficiaries are expected to commit to a one hour workshop, over six weeks duration, with the intention to return independently on a regular basis to maintain and harvest what they have planted
at the community plot. Attendees usually stay back after the session and volunteer for an hour, but there is no obligation to do so.
The planned session topics are:
Week 1: Orientation and the principles of organic gardening Week 2: Seed sowing
Week 3: Transplant seedlings Week 4: Planting up a container (to take home whenever you feel ready to do so)
Week 5: Planting up a vegetable bed
Week 6: Plant after-care
Hopefully, the participants will connect with nature, meet new people, and reduce isolation while growing organic vegetables and fruits. We hope that we
will arrange an independent gathering in keeping with Covid-19 guidelines, to enjoy a meal prepared by a caterer, using the produce we have grown over the 6-week period.
Marva Lashley
Wildlife Area at Torkington Allotments
We were fortunate enough to receive a donation of daffodil bulbs from a local garden centre.
We decided to create a wildlife area within our allotment site for all to enjoy. The daffodils were planted, and a path was created using branches that had been removed from surrounding trees for safety reasons, and bark. We cleared an area in front of the path and divided it up with canes to give areas into which we scattered seeds.
Within a short time and using only what had
been donated and natural materials, we achieved our wildlife area. A large bug hotel was made, a hedgehog house and a bird table were added, and we are able to enjoy our area along with the insects it attracted.
Val Clarke, Torkington Allotment Association Hazel Grove Stockport
Allotment and Leisure Gardener 43