Submitted by Susannah Cook on Fri, 2022-04-01 15:07
It’s two-years to the day that I left our Land Economy building on Silver Street with my houseplants in my rucksack, and no idea when I might be back as the Covid pandemic struck.
Most of the houseplants dotted across the building were taken home by staff and students, but the same could not be said for the newly regenerated courtyard planting at the rear of the building. I had no time to pot-up and transport to safekeeping the multiple herbs (lavender, rosemary, and thyme). The courtyard and the wildlife garden near the cycle sheds and bin store would have to fend for themselves.
Roll forward two years and with the Covid pandemic seeming to become just recent history, what has become of my plants both inside and out?
Firstly, the Dracaena in the rucksack. Well, she’s been potted on a few times, and is now too big to fit on a windowsill at home so is currently waiting patiently on the bookcase before I can transport her back to my new office space in the department. I’ve relocated from a sunny first-floor room to a darker north-facing ground floor space but that shouldn’t bother Dracaena, she’s quite robust. Unfortunately, the fern did not survive, but that’s just an excuse to replace it with something else.
In January 2022, I was finally allowed to visit the area near the cycle sheds and bin store. I still couldn’t go into the gated courtyard area for health and safety reasons. The wild garden area had done well, in need of a good bit of weeding but the bulbs and native flowers/shrubs had survived well. To be honest they are low maintenance, just needing a good prune every year so colleagues can actually get their bikes into the shed.
When I was finally able to access the courtyard space in February this year it was a bit of a shock!
The swathes of sharp brambles and weeds were too much for me and my trusty secateurs to handle, so using my limited Green Impact budget I was allowed to bring in external gardening contractors to clear the space. And, what a difference that day made.
The outer area is clean and ready to receive some more containers and in the inner courtyard I have weeded the raised beds – all ready to be planted up with new herbs, summer salad vegetables and bright seasonal flowers later in the Spring and Summer.
We now have an attractive and invaluable urban outside space for staff to use and enjoy in the sunshine for meetings and social gatherings (still adhering to safe social distancing guidance), as well as a quiet space for relaxing with a cup of tea or eating lunch. A few garden chairs, small tables and possibly a pub garden-style picnic bench would be good for people to use if anyone has any unwanted furniture they would like to donate to us. So far, I only have two old chairs and a make-do shelf. Email me at ldh31@cam.ac.uk if you do.
I hope this ongoing Land Economy garden project inspires others across the University and Colleges to look at their neglected outdoor spaces, however small and hidden away, and see the potential to create new diverse habitats, both horticulturally and mindfully for staff, students and wildlife to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine (English weather permitting of course!).
Written by: Lynda Haines, Departmental Assistant, Department of Land Economy.