A year in review and Seasonal Greetings

In the last blog post of 2017 we are looking back at a wonderful year of gardening and friendship. Here is a review of the four seasons of the Empty Common Community Garden. This was presented at the Transition Cambridge's AGM.

In winter 2016, the old Burwell wheat was sown and protected with nets. Postgraduate students from the University of Cambridge helped to set up our seating by the pond. In October, Empty Common participated in Cambridge Sustainable Food's Pumpkin Festival. Volunteers started to build the compost toilet.

Spring 2017 was a hive of activity, with a lot of planting and tending of young shoots including the old Burwell wheat. A shady corner became a wildlife patch and public relaxation space. The Community Gardening Nomads visited us and helped to finish our wildlife corner.

Summer 2017 was particularly busy as we hosted Hobson's Conduit Bioblitz's scientific survey and family weekend. We had a Transition Cambridge stall, gave tours, made flowers from plastic bottles and ran a leaf identification activity. Other highlights included a stunning wildflower patch and a storytelling session in our hazel copse.

In Autumn 2017 the old Burwell wheat was harvested with Cropshare on their pedal-powered thresher. Our compost toilet was christened and celebrated. Last but not least, our pumpkin harvest was the best ever!

Giuseppe Arcimboldo - Winter

It's December and it's very frosty at night. We had snow on Sunday, but it's nearly all gone as we publish this blog. We wish you all a Serene Christmas and a Happy New Year.