The first golden daffodils are opening their bright faces, as our community garden shakes off winter and prepares for the burst of colour that spring always brings. There’s a fresh energy in the air, and after the quiet months, the garden is beginning to wake up. If you’re looking for a peaceful spot to enjoy the changing seasons or want to get involved, now is a perfect time to visit us.
This year, some of our early vegetable seeds really tested our patience. Onions and tomatoes sown undercover back in January refused to sprout until a spell of mild weather in the third week of February. Without the luxury of artificial heat, the seeds followed their own natural rhythm—but just as we were about to give up, up they popped! It’s a reminder that perseverance pays off in the garden.
Outside, we've been busy planting Charlotte, Nicola and Kingsman seed potatoes. And we've spotted the first green shoots of wild garlic coming up. Meanwhile, our kitchen has been busy making the most of the last winter harvest. A recent Friday lunch featured a hearty pasta bake, using the final winter fennel and onions before new season crops arrive.
We’ve also been experimenting with Yacón, a South American root vegetable you may remember us growing last year. After extracting the juice from the tubers and reducing it down, it’s transformed into a natural syrup – perfect for drizzling over pancakes this Shrove Tuesday. Yacón is not only a sweet treat but also a healthy, low-glycemic alternative to traditional syrups, making it a rewarding crop to grow and use.
Beyond the garden beds, our community spirit is thriving. Our members recently enjoyed a spring outing to Bugsy’s bowling alley, where we were warmly welcomed. It was a joyful break from the usual routine and a chance to catch up, share laughs, and strike up some friendly competition.
We also hosted the first monthly play session for See Me Play (@seeme.play), a local play scheme for neurodivergent and disabled children. They’ll be meeting regularly in the garden, and if you’d like to support their Winter Fundraiser, follow the link on their Instagram. It’s heartening to see the garden put to such good use and we look forward to seeing these sessions grow as the year continues.
We’re still keeping a watchful eye on the pond, though – no frogspawn yet! In recent years, it’s arrived by Valentine’s Day, but nature moves at its own pace. We’re hopeful it will appear soon, along with plenty more signs of spring.
Whether you want to get your hands dirty or simply relax in a natural environment, the Garden Gate Project is open and welcoming. Come along and see what’s growing – we’d love to share the beauty of the season with you. Happy gardening!
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