The Community Garden in Willie Pearse Park has seen many changes and much progress over the winter and early Spring. The highlights of the last few months have been:
The harvesting and distribution of the leek crop to members and the public during an open day on Sunday 3 March. We also harvested and consumed the first crop which was Brussels Sprouts around Christmas.
We also hosted the Community Foundation, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Minister Malcom Noonan on 15 February who launched he Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s Community Biodiversity Fund.
We successfully planted a native Irish biodiversity-rich hedgerow over the winter and spring, and thanks to Dublin City Council Parks department for supplying the bareroot trees of hawthorn, blackthorn and dogwood.
The polytunnel has begun its life also with a selection of seeds germinated, potted on and sown into the newly created beds in the polytunnel. We also hosted Hubert who gave a talk on ‘all things tomatoes’.
We have with Karl’s help over the last few months continued constructing new beds, seating and thanks to Olga a super new sign at both entrances.
We have successfully planted nearly 30 bare root fruit and nut trees throughout the garden.
We have also been joined by many new members and we hope to begin over the next few months to invite in the local community and local community groups on a more regular basis as the weather improves.
We will be looking forward to officially launching the community garden in May and announcing regular weekday and weekend opening hours.
This summer we are looking forward to continued fruit and veg planting and harvesting in addition to the further creation of multiple biodiversity-friendly beds.
