Recycling jar lids, polytunnel update and Birdwatch news

Everything is looking lovely at the garden and most beds have been well composted with soil improver and well-rotted horse manure, so hopefully we will harvest big fat vegetables...

Scroll down to see our team of volunteers at work - and having a social cuppa... Plus Birdwatch count and the photo of our newest member....

The tea urn was fired up on a rainy Sunday

Tomas making polytunnel shelving

Charlotte made a name tag for a fruit tree using a jam jar lid and plans to make more for the other trees and perennial plants - a great way to recycle and it looks pretty too... The Empty Common Garden is blooming (primroses, daffodils) and many hands make the work light. We have finished clearing up a new patch that has fertile and wonderful-looking soil. As Mary wrote in a group email: "Join us...spread the word... it is a lovely place to visit or work as much or as little as time allows."

 A jam jar lid makes a useful tree label

Droplets of water looking magical

Below are the Birdwatch results for the Empty Common Community Garden, sent in by Rebecca.


2 Robins
2 Linnets
1 Common gull
5 Woodpigeons
2 Magpies
6 Rooks (decided not crows)
15 Piebald wagtails

Birdwatchers were also treated to a flyby, of 20 Barnacle/Brent Geese or perhaps greylags... the jury is out on that one! Results were submitted to the RSPB.

Where's everybody???

Last but not least... here's our youngest member... Say hello to Freddie!

The Empty Common Community Garden - still looking great in winter!

Last Sunday it was a rainy day but a group of hardy volunteers still gathered to check on the garden and do a Birdwatch (watch this space for a blog post!) 

Below is a pictorial contribution from volunteers - the photos were taken in late 2015 and in January 2016. Thank you for submitting these great photos, Mary, Rebecca and Charlotte. More to come, so you can all see how the garden progresses.

Mary made two delicious soups and provided beer for a Sunday get-together in late 2015. So even in the dead of winter we still like to eat together in the great outdoors.

January 2016: the daffodils are already out in force as is our army of volunteers! Check out the lovely rotted compost in the wheelbarrow. As Charlotte said in an email, we will have big fat veggies this coming year.

Video of December party and Seedy Sunday reminder

This is the video of the December party by the talented artist behind  www.jhfilm.co.uk. If you missed the event, this video will give you a flavour of how art and growing can combine in a beautiful alchemy. Enjoy! Jonathan also took the photos below.

The Empty Common Garden will be at the Seedy Sunday, coming up on the 24th January.
See you there!

Happy New Year!

These pictures were taken in late November. Watch out for the December party photos and other photos from our volunteers....

Nasturtium seeds are edible - they taste even nicer than the flowers... They are spicy when raw and can be pickled. We helped Charlotte and Mary to harvest them. Some seeds will be dried and kept to be planted this year. Don't forget to swap and stock up on seeds at the Cambridge Seedy Sunday, on 24 January 2016! Empty Common will have a table there.

The polytunnel has a smart new floor made with attractive grey slabs. Scroll down to see more pictures of the Empty Common Community Garden, which was still quite green and luscious due to mild weather. We are still enjoying a mild weather and no snow has fallen, disappointing big and small children wishing to make a big snowman.

Party reminder and willow rooting solution

Next Sunday, 6th December, it's party time at the Empty Common Community Garden. 

Our Charlotte will be giving a much anticipated talk on Peak Soil & Permaculture at 12.30.

From 1.30 we have the Serendipity Sessions including 'Yarn Spinner' Mal Faloon sharing a tale or two and the fantastic works of Kate Swindlehurst, former Writer in Residence at Cambridge Botanic Gardens, Clare Crossman and Elaine Ewart.

We'll be having an Acoustic Open Air Mic, from about 3pm so if you play anything, or have something you would like to share, please feel welcome to do so and we'll make a session of it!

Last but not least, there will be a cosy fire and mulled (non alcoholic) apple juice.

Throughout the afternoon, you can admire some polytunnel art and a collage of the Garden's progression made by volunteer Mary!

This event is suitable for all ages. Wrap up warm and wear wellies/suitable footwear. We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Willow rooting solution -  a tonic for growing plants

It’s time to take some cuttings at Empty Common Community Garden and to make some of Charlotte’s home-made rooting solution.

What it does
The way that it works can be attributed to two substances that can be found within the Salix
(Willow) species, namely, indolebutyric acid (IBA) and Salicylic acid (SA). When you make willow
water, both salicylic acid and IBA leach into the water, and both have a beneficial effect when used
for the propagation of cuttings.

Indolebutyric acid (IBA) is a plant hormone that stimulates root growth. Salicylic acid (SA) - which is a chemical similar to the headache medicine Aspirin - is a plant hormone that also helps plants to fight off infection.

Recipe
To make the rooting solution, just cut lengths of new willow growth from any type of willow, these should be about the diameter of a pencil. Pop them into a jar and pour over boiling water. Leave for 24-48 hours, then remove the willow. The solution can be kept in the fridge for a month or more.

When planting cuttings just dip the end in the water for several seconds or longer if it’s easy before
planting. You could also make a big batch in a bucket for watering in newly transplanted plants. We have lots of willow around our garden, other than our lovely coloured willow hedge, which is growing so well. Maybe we can try making some large batches in the spring next year, when we have lots of young plants to plant out.

Christmas wreath making and pictures from our volunteers

Foraging for Xmas crafts!

Artist Sheila Ghelani is leading an evening of mindful foraging around Cambridge, including our very own Empty Common Community Garden on Tuesday 1st December from 6pm. Under her guidance, you will be gathering twigs, feathers, berries and leaves to create your own Christmas wreath. The event, suitable for 14yrs+, is free but tickets need to be booked. Click here to book your ticket/s.

Last but not least, here's an overdue autumnal update from our volunteers, including pictures of happy, smiley people! Watch this space for more pictures of our glorious wintering garden as Sunday was a beautiful sunny day!

Getting rid of vicious nails from salvaged wood

A young volunteer

Gardening is fun for the whole family

Mary showing off a bouquet of nasturtiums
when still in their full glory

Contributions from our volunteers

Pot planting for polytunnel

Daffodil planting outside

In the past few months I have been receiving contributions for this blog from our volunteers, which is lovely for those members who have not been able to visit the Garden on a regular basis. Whether it's a health related reason, an overload of work/family commitments or a clash with other projects, we all like to keep up to date with what is going on in our community's oasis. Let's hope everybody can make the party on Sunday 6th December (see the previous blog post for information).

So without any further ado, here are some updates....

Peter emailed us that a sunny day allowed Jamie to recharge the mower's batteries. The weather has been mild so far for November, bar a few rainy spells. 

Mary, helped by Emily and John planted out flowers from the polytunnel, while John and Terence attacked some truly vicious nails to recycle some pallets earmarked for future projects. The area around the oak tree looked lovely after yet another attack against horsetail by Katharine and her sons.

In the polytunnel winter lettuces have been planted while outside areas have been cleared to make a start on winter preparations.