Shortly after it opened last year I happened to be in the school office talking about Master Gardeners and whether families

The garden before: buddleja

at the school would be interested, when the finance officer, Rose Weber, mentioned the garden and how she was struggling to keep up with its maintenance. I offered help and found I had soon talked myself into a job.

One year on and we are embarking on our first full growing season, and looking back on a herb sale to raise money for a trug, a bountiful harvest festival and a soup tasting session with leeks and potatoes dug from our very own plot.

This year the headteacher, Jennifer Parris, has gamely agreed to sacrifice some lawn for a ‘Dig for Victory’ plot and we plan to have plants for sale on the school’s Enterprise Day at the end of May. I have also started an afterschool gardening club which has been taken up very enthusiastically by the children. For further news of these, watch this space!

On Monday brand new MGs Nick, Kerry and Sarah set up gazebo and banner at Vauxhall City Farm Eco Garden Party.  Kerry made her renowned seed bombs, the same that got such a swarm of activity at our household event in March. Nick’s activity notes from the day:

…lots of kids taking away paper pots with beans or sunflowers. Good interaction with parents, several took flyers, several others asked about specific issues e.g. artichokes, containers.

On Sunday, Emma and Liam did workshops and seed sowing at the Gardeners Corner hub at West Norwood Feast, a monthly event that has become more and more vibrant.  Valerie Beirne, coordinator at Gardeners Corner, set up the hub with straw bales and lovely peat-free compost.  Liam said,

the event went really well and I think between us, we signed up nine people on the day. Emma was really good with the kids and the ‘Hub’ offered paint and plant pots, finger puppet colouring in, while I was able to reach out to adults of all ages and gardening experience.

Thanks, Valerie, for supporting MGs coming to the event – this is the third time MGs have contributed.

Liam at West Norwood Feast

Transition Town Brixton’s open day on Saturday saw a milky way of MG stars with different hats on. MG Rakesh was there as TTB member giving information on the new permaculture design for Slade Gardens in Robsart Street, as was MG Mehul, an economist working for the Brixton Pound, promoting the beautifully designed second release of currency. MG Pamela was there and what’s more, MG Maria popped up in her guise as co-founder of Local Greens, the East Dulwich based veg box scheme.

SLMG coordinator Fiona (me) volunteered promoting pumpkin growing and Incredible Edible Lambeth’s pumpkin competition. And lastly, the mother and matrix of so much that grows sustainably in Lambeth, Sue Sheehan, our Lambeth Council partner and Green Community Champion, led workshops on working with the council and running a pedal-powered cinema, as well as developing the Incredible Edible Lambeth map of community projects.

Those MGs, they get everywhere!  Tell us what growing and sharing growing activity you did this weekend.

It was a pleasure to meet all of you.

Thank you Garden Organic for the opportunity to be part of this amazing project.

I just wanted to share this bbc news with you.
Very touching testimony of an allotment gardener and his son:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17857858

We’re inviting volunteers from across the country to share top-tips for supporting communities to grow their own food and make lovely compost.

View the Masters Conference flyer (links opens PDF)

Read about the National Masters Conference 2011

NEW for South London Master Gardeners

Please click here to reserve your place with co-ordinator Fiona.

We’ll then send you a booking form with details and for you to choose your workshop preferences. We’ll also be arranging shared transport to Ryton Gardens.

When? Saturday 30th June 2012.

Where? The beautiful Ryton Gardens in Warwickshire, home to the UK’s leading organic growing charity, Garden Organic.

What? Leading UK speakers, unique workshops, expert guides, and much more with over 200 volunteers expected. This is your conference. Please get in touch here to share your ideas.

Who? Master Gardeners, Master Composters, Compost Gurus, Gardening Champions, and any other volunteer involved in promoting gardening or composting

How much?

Places are FREE for Master Gardeners for the all day event including lunch and refreshments.

£44 + VAT for friends and family. £84 + VAT for CPD places.
Please contact us for exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities.

Come for the cake!

See photos from our National Masters conference 2011

Find out who won the Master Gardener Awards…

See latest news from Ryton Gardens

What else is Garden Organic doing…?

But May is the time for catching up with sowing seeds and planting out your favourite fruit and veg.

Remember there’s still time to prepare quick growing harvest for your ‘Big Jubilee Lunch’ on the 3rd June 2012.

Also crops for shared salads and BBQs for London 2012 celebrations… Please click here to read how South London Master Gardeners are getting involved with the Games.

Seeds to sow in May

Sow these cold-hardy crops direct into your soil – or for more comfort if a little cold and wet, sow seeds in pots and trays instead. Tuck these away indoors or in a sheltered sunny corner to transplant later.

The following links open PDF growing instructions by Garden Organic:

Annual Spinach, Beetroot, Sprouting Broccoli, Pea, Radish, Rocket, Salad Onion, Pot Marigold, Parsnip, Lettuce, Carrot, Celery, Cauliflower, Kale, Kohl Rabi, (deep breath), Leaf Beet, Turnip, Swede, Spring and Summer Salad, and others…

You can also transplant energetic plants started off in March and April, moving them to their final growing space outdoors. This works well with Brussels Sprouts, Leek, Cauliflower, Calabrese, Summer Cabbage, and Sprouting Broccoli. Don’t worry if you haven’t sown these crops yet! There’s still time to sow and get large plants for transplanting in June or early July instead.

Nearly frost free…

There’s a collective horticultural rush during May. The South of England should be frost-free by the end of the month and soon after for the North and exposed sites.

So, now is the time to sow your cold-tender crops that like to be kept warm, such as Pumpkin and Squashes, Sweetcorn, Courgette and Marrow, French Bean, and Runner Bean. Start off these plants indoors on a clean, warm windowsill or in a greenhouse or polytunnel. Then plant outside after the last frost.

You can also move crops started off earlier in the year destined for a summer inside a greenhouse or polytunnel, moving your lovely Aubergine, Cucumber, Okra, Pepper, and Tomato. Although if growing these sensitive crops outdoors during summer, wait until after the last frost before transplanting.

Did you know that Garden Organic publishes a wondrous array of growing tips?

Click here to discover unusual crops (opens ‘Sowing New Seed’ project website)

Step by step growing activities…

What to do in the garden in May

Local growing blogs by volunteer Master Gardeners:
Warwickshire, North London, South London, Norfolk, and Lincolnshire