January 2015

IN THIS EDITION:

Network Newsletter Spring 2016

- Latest news and events - What to grow- New Community Farm in Grange Park

The Grow Blackpool Team

Hello again,

Well, spring has taken its time arriving this year and as we move well into March it's still bitterly cold.

As you'll see throughout this newsletter, there's been lots going on during the Winter months. Our fantastic volunteers have continued to join us on site despite the wind, rain, hail and snow. To combat the weather, we've been busy sowing in the polytunnel at Cherry Tree Allotment, where we are also refurbishing our trusty shed.

We've also created a hot house growing space in the Geodome at Chepstow, with a range of tropical plants. Connor has been busy leading on the development of an aquaponics growing system in the dome. (see page 6 for details of how it works). This is new to Grow Blackpool and is already providing interest and education for volunteers, visitors and staff. We will keep you posted.

We're delighted to announce that we'll be involved in developing a new Community Farm in Grange Park. There's more about this on page 6.

We hope you're all getting ready for the growing season. We'd love to know what you're growing and how you are getting on. Why not get in touch and tell us? Details of how you can do this are on page 8.

Don't forget, you can also get in touch with us if you need any advice on what to grow and how to grow it.

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Grow what you want to eat. Maybe last year you grew something but didn?t eat all of it. Grow more of what you like. Early spring

Harvest any beetroot, leeks, sprouts and sprout tops from last year.

Sow indoors tomatoes, peppers, fennel and lettuce

GROWING JOBS

Late Spring

Sow indoors aubergines, courgettes, pumpkins and sweetcorn.

Sow outdoors peas, radish, rocket and beetroot.

Plant outside cauliflower, sprouts, runner beans and French beans.

Harvest lettuce, radish and spinach.

GARDEN JOBSNow is the time to get ready for the growing season.

- Dig over beds, take time to remove weeds and give a good feed with well rotted manure, chicken manure or fish, blood and bone meal.

- Repair any fences or greenhouse glass that may be damaged by winter weather.

- Clean greenhouse windows before sowing. This maximises the light levels for growing.

- Have a general clear up and tidy the garden, shed or greenhouse.

- Make a cloche or cold frame to harden off your plants before planting in their bed.

- Keep a look out for slugs and snails that may have been keeping warm in winter. Get rid of them before they nibble your tender seedlings.

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Pricking Out Seedlings

In order to encourage growth and reduce overcrowding you need to prick out your seedlings. When the seedlings have developed a couple of true leaves move them into individual pots or larger modules. You will need compost, a dibber or label and the larger pot.

1. Use a dibber or name label to gently lift seedlings from the compost. Be careful not to damage the leaf.

2. Avoid touching the stem when separating the seedlings.

3. Make a hole in the compost and plant by the roots. Ensure that compost completely covers the roots.

4. Water and wait

Cuttings

Over the last few months we have taken cuttings from a variety of plants including willow, beech, blackcurrant, red currant, raspberry, blackberry and dogwood. These free cuttings are from our own stock. This is a great way to keep a constant supply of plant material and a good lesson for our volunteers. If you haven?t taken hardwood cuttings by March you will have to wait until the autumn to replenish your stock.

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RECENT ACTIVITIESWe've been really busy recently working with a number of partners and attending events across the region to promote growing and develop our network:

- Supporting L?Arche Community in Preston with their gardening project. (Photo 3)

- Working with Great Places Housing Association on their office growing space and 3 of their properties (Photo 4)

- Working alongside our fantastic upcycling and training programme, Project UP at 3 events in Liverpool. This included ?Green Week? at John Moores University and the ?Food and Vintage Fair? at the University of Liverpool which looked at issues around sustainable living.

- Visiting Cuerden Valley Park to see their Eco Building (Photo 2)

- Exhibiting at Tulloch Court Health Event and the Blackpool and Fylde College Green Week to promote growing as a way of improving your health and wellbeing.

- Developing the site of the 999 Memorial at Jubilee Gardens, North Promenade in Blackpool.

We've also hosted 3 students on placement from the Public Services Course at Blackpool and Fylde College (Photo 5)

A young person on the Traineeship Programme (Kieron) is currently on his 16 week placement with us (Photo 1)

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We have built a pond and have had fish donated. Aquaponics is a system that combines raising fish with growing plants without soil. Fish waste provides an organic food source for the plants and the plants provide a natural filter for the water, providing clean water for the fish to live in.

Moss is used as a growing medium for the plants. Soil is not needed in an aquaponic system.

AQUAPONICS

Water is pumped out of the pond and into the planter above. Nitrifying bacteria convert the waste produced by the fish into nutrients that the plants can use.

The tank above the pond contains layers of fabric, sand and moss which filter the water before it returns to the pond.

We are delighted to announce that during 2016, Grow Blackpool will be working towards developing a Community Farm on Grange Park. We've already spoken to lots of people about this new development and will continue with this consultation work throughout the year.

There will be opportunities for you to have your say and find out more about the farm at a number of events on Grange this year. You can also come and talk to us every Tuesday and Thursday at our Community Garden on Chepstow Road.

COMING SOON

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MARCHSpring green cabbage Spring greens are great for you. They are a source of vitamin C, which supports your immune system. They also help build bone strength and can lower your cholesterol.

APRILCauliflower Cauliflower cheese is great to accompany favourites such as sausage and mash and delicious when added to soups. One serving of cauliflower contains nearly 80% of your daily vitamin C requirement.

MAYRhubarb It's packed with vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, K, calcium, potassium and magnesium. Rhubarb is delicious stewed and used in crumbles, or eaten with ice cream or custard.

WHAT TO EAT NOW

Equal to 1228 days of your full 5 a day

That?s 6140 portions of fruit & veg

In 2015 Grow Blackpool grew 491.25 kg of fruit & veg

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You can get involved in our food growing network by following us on social media.

It's a great way to keep in touch with what's going on and to pick up handy tips and information that can help you get the best out of your growing space:

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/growblackpool

Twitter:https://twitter.com/Grow_Blackpool

Email: growblackpool@groundwork.org.uk

Post: Grow Blackpool, Blackpool Enterprise Centre, 291-305 Lytham Rd, Blackpool, FY4 1EW. Telephone: 01253 345445

CONTACT US

If you would like to send in any gardening tips or questions please do so via our social media or e mail. (see details below)

If your group is doing any gardening activity, why not advertise it in our newsletter.

GET INVOLVED IN THE NETWORK

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

We are continuing to do our usual weekly sessions:

Tuesdays & Thursdays 10am-4pm Chepstow Community Garden, Chepstow Road, Grange Park, FY3 7PJ.

Wednesdays 10am-12noon and 1pm-3pmCherry Tree Allotment, Cherry Tree Road, Marton, FY4 4PQ.

We also grow at Lostock Gardens off St Annes Road, South Shore. Please contact us for further details.

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