Welcome to Spring 2020 at the garden
It has been a long time since our last newsletter, and so much has changed. The KentCOG team wanted to take this opportunity to keep in touch, and update you on the ever evolving community garden. Although our volunteers are busy gardening at home, and the plot remains closed, our community is still active and happy to support those in need of some green care.
KentCOG have teamed up with East Kent Mind this year to grow the garden as a community base focused on wellbeing, and I have returned after a year away to welcome you to be part of that development. Please share your stories, growing experiences, and experiments in gardening with us, including photos, recipes and top tips in creating a thriving natural home environment for wellbeing, whatever that may mean to you. Practicing Ecotherapy at home has helped me stay grounded during times of change, and that’s what I am exploring in more detail over the coming months.
What’s happening this season?
East Kent Mind have provided an array of live workshops, courses and activities accessible on your phone or computer at home. KentCOG are supporting the online digital weekly timetable with a regular slot Grow Your Wellbeing (more details below).
East Kent Mind have also set up a wellbeing support line open Monday-Friday 2pm-5pm, Friday-Sunday 6pm-10pm, if you need to talk please call 0203 912 0032.
Seasonal jobs
Growing herbs on your windowsill can be very satisfying and family favourite cress is quick to sprout and great to eat with your eggs for breakfast, perfect for beginner gardeners.
If you have an outdoor growing space try preparing a meter square bed for companionship planting, a popular combination to grow is squash beside climbing beans supported by corn.
It’s time to harden off your seedlings outside or plant new seeds directly into prepared beds, following packet guidelines.
This season’s events
It was Mental Health Awareness Week last week, so why not check out Grow Your Wellbeing sessions on Zoom with Emily Hill every Wednesday afternoon (2-3pm) with practical advice on trying Ecotherapy at home.
Sign up by visiting eastkentmind.org.uk and complete a registration form online, or email info@eastkentmind.org.uk
When lockdown is lifted, please come to one of our regular KentCOG sessions to find out more:
Every Tuesday 10 – 2pm
(Community Session)
Every Wednesday 10 – 2pm
(East Kent Mind Open Spaces – Student Session)
Looking for something to celebrate? It was World Bee Day on the 19th May, so on the advice of our partners the Whitstable and Herne Bay Beekeepers, I have included some links to find out more about our valuable friends. Did you know there were 271 species of bee in the UK?
https://whitstable-hernebay-beekeepers.org.uk/2019/06/29/how-time-and-bees-flies/
https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/bumblebee-species-guide/
https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/blog/ryan-clark/guide-solitary-bees-britain
https://www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/30dayswild
Please visit https://blogs.kent.ac.uk/kentcog/ for more information about the project or email kentcog@kent.ac.uk if you have any queries or want to join our mailing list.
Find us here
We will write again when we can reopen the garden , until then take care, and carry on gardening.
Best wishes,
Emily Hill, KentCOG Coordinator