Royal Edinburgh Community Gardens – January Update

December’s mild weather continued well into January, such a contrast from last winter. We’ve had some days that must have been twenty degrees C warmer than the corresponding date last year! Plants and animals have responded accordingly, with snowdrops and winter aconite showing beautifully in our woodland area by the middle of the month. Birds have been singing and prospecting for nest sites.

The conditions have allowed us to crack on with a range of tasks, including some woodland management in early January. The lengthening days mean time to get the seeds out, with the earliest sowings of Tomatoes, Lettuce, Perpetual Spinach, Onions , Leeks and Brassicas going into trays in the glasshouse during the month.

January has again seen the gardens host an exciting range of cultural and educational events. The Shandon Local Food Group ran a double header course on the 8^th, with participants constructing a raised bed in the morning, then learning the dark art of fruit tree pruning in the afternoon.

Transition Edinburgh South repeated last year’s successful Wassailing event, a winter’s afternoon of song and orchard related celebrations in an age old tradition. TES have also secured funding to run a series of composting courses, allowing people to put together and take home a populated wormery while learning about this and other composting methods.

Please follow these links to find out more;

shandonfood.wordpress.com/

www.transitionedinburghsouth.org.uk/

As ever volunteers have represented a cross section of groups from the hospital community and beyond. The Jewell and Esk Valley college team continue to visit on a Friday as they work their way towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award, while the New Caledonian Woodlands Good Wood group came along mid-month to help with glasshouse sowings and winter tidying..

A new link with George Watson Nursery School has developed this month, while a spring programme with Craiglockhart Primary is in planning.