This week, we kicked things off an hour earlier to beat the heat. I met Viv, Lumen and the rest of the local volunteers at 10.

The main task of the session was watering, and lots of it. It was a steady back-and-forth with watering cans and wheelbarrows full of water to make sure all the thirsty plants got a good drink.

We also did a bit of weeding and litter picking to keep the planters looking neat and tidy.

Excitingly, work on the planter repairs is well underway! The bed nearest to the park is now sporting some very smart new coping stones—great to see improvements taking shape thanks to all the generous support and fundraising efforts.

This week’s insight from gardening guru Lumin: Salvia ‘Hot Lips’ will stay white in drought conditions—if you want to see those signature red blooms, keep them well watered!

We’ll be back again soon to keep the plants cool and thriving. Come join us if you can! ☀️💧🌿

This week, myself and Mia joined Viv, Lumin, and local volunteers for another gardening session at the Silverdale Planters.

We started with some much-needed weeding to keep the planters looking their best. Then, we got to work planting two new rhododendrons on the slope.

We also moved more of the iris flower rhizomes, giving them extra breathing space and ensuring a good scattering of colour across both planters.

Spring has officially sprung, with daffodils popping up in both planters.

With the planters looking fresh and full of potential, we’re excited to see how they develop—join us next time! 🌱🌼✨

Another week of joining Viv, Lumin, and the team of dedicated local volunteers for another productive gardening session.

Excitingly, the rhizomes we moved and replanted last month are already popping up!

A big thank you to James and John, who wheeled over many loads of leaf mulch for us. This will help keep the plants happy as they continue to grow.

Lumin had plenty of great gardening tips this week. One of the highlights was when we discovered a beetle larvae, sparking a fascinating discussion on how to identify different beetle species in their early stages.

With fresh growth appearing and the planters looking tidy, we’re excited to see what the next few weeks bring. Join us next time! 🌱✨

This week we were back at the Silverdale planters with Viv, Lumin, and a team of brilliant local volunteers for a January gardening session focused on preparing for new growth in the spring.

Our main task this week was cutting back the plants to clear space for the season ahead. With fresh beginnings in mind, we turned our attention to the iris flowers. Their roots, called rhizomes, sit close to the soil's surface and resemble ginger!

We dug them up, carefully broke them apart, and replanted them across the two planters. Come spring there will be a beautiful scattering of colour.

This week’s top tip from Lumin: the easiest way to spot good soil is by its colour. The darker it is, the richer it is in organic matter.

The planters are now ready for the next phase, and we’ll be back soon to see how they’re shaping up — come join us! 🌱✨