Royal Ed Community Gardens – March update

The last couple of days of welcome warmth tell us that Spring is gathering force. As well as the joyous sight of the early flowers; Snowdrop, Winter Aconite and Crocus, the perennial weeds are awakening! Dockans and Comfrey are already rearing their heads in this year’s spud patch, reminding us that this is a time of hard work as well as enjoyment. Rabbit damage to trees over the last few days are a sign that this can also be a testing time of year, the ‘hungry gap’ between winter stores and new season’s growth.

During February 500 Apple rootstocks have been planted in beds at the gardens. We have another 500 to plant out, and these will form the basis of a fruit tree nursery. We plan to graft these in August with scion buds from a range of Apples, particularly Eastern Scottish varieties. In further fruit developments, a selection of maiden Apple, Pear, Plum and Damson trees will shortly be planted against the long South-facing wall that forms our boundary with Watsonians fields.

We are very happy to welcome Jonny Watler to the gardens. He has joined us on a full-time 2 month placement through the Vodaphone ‘World of Volunteering’ Scheme. Jonny will be joining in with the regular work sessions, as well as leading a series of workshops, and opening the gardens on most Saturdays during March and April – see our blog calendar for details http://royaledinburghcommunitygardens.wordpress.com/ or email me at sean.recg@gmail.com