Submitted by Grainne Kennedy on Wed, 2017-01-25 08:29
It is an act of hope to plant something in the cold winter months, imagine what it will grow into and care for it. Students and staff across the University have been working hard to create their own little pieces of paradise where they can grow food and flowers. These gardens can differ greatly but what they all have in common is the enthusiasm and creativity of the people who tend to them.
Here are a few examples:
The community garden – Murray Edwards College
The Cambridge Edible Garden is a community garden project started by a small group of students and local residents at Murray Edwards College with the help and support of their gardeners. A small plot of land was transformed into a thriving garden using reclaimed wood to build raised beds in February 2013. The garden has produced a large range of vegetables since then and to build on the community spirit, volunteers have organised events to harvest and cook produce together.
Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a complete novice, there's something for everyone. Many students found helping out in the gardens to be a great way to not only learn more about gardening, but to also take a break from their studies. Local residents can also appreciate the opportunity to see another side of the College.
Gardening day is Sunday afternoons at 3pm at Murray Edwards College, Storey’s Way car park.
Visit the Edible Garden webpage, sign up and you will be added to the mailing list. You can also like the Facebook page to receive information about all events.
The new garden – St Catherine’s College
St Catherine’s community garden is an allotment located on the College sports ground on the way to Granchester. The garden has several large beds for vegetables as well as some raspberry canes and blackberry bushes.
The garden was started in August 2016 and radishes, lettuces and beetroot were planted but the seedlings didn’t grow to full size as it was too late in the season. Recently, lots of space and beds have been prepared and the students are looking forward to sowing and planting in March. The allotment is in a wooded area, so the space is shared with lots of birds, animals and insects and which adds greatly to the enjoyment of working in the garden.
The group are keen to learn and have lots of enthusiasm and creative ideas – from planting wasabi to small apple trees. In 2017 the garden will be tended at the weekends and provides an opportunity for students to spend time together outside, getting their hands dirty and doing something completely different from study.
If you would like to learn more or help out please contact Katie Daehn ked38@cam.ac.uk
The walled garden – Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership
In 2013, staff at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) turned what was a barren patch of land into a vegetable garden. In the process they also created a place to compost food waste and a new habitat for insects and wildlife.
So far this year, CISL have created and added compost to their plot, which is looking healthy and ready for planting. Seeds are swapped among staff and it is a mystery as to what will be planted each year. Luckily the team will try and grow anything and even if a plant doesn’t thrive, that is a lesson in itself. An herb section is to be added this year and staff hope that the garden continues to attract wildlife such as the hedgehog who visited last year.
The basement garden – University Counselling Service
Not all University buildings have space for traditional gardens but that hasn’t stopped staff from creating oasis’ where they can enjoy the passing of the seasons.
A few years ago staff in the Counselling Service created a Mindfulness garden to bring colour into what was a drab basement space and it has thrived ever since. The courtyard garden is a great place to find some peace and calm away from the hustle and bustle and often full-on mental engagement needed for work at the Counselling Service.
Until now, the University’s Mindfulness Practitioner, Elizabeth English has played a substantial role in maintaining the garden, particularly in the procurement of plants in the spring for the garden. This year Elizabeth is based more in the Colleges and fresh volunteers have come forward to take on the role.
At this time of year the courtyard is looking a bit sorry for itself with moss taking over, so the plan is to rejuvenate the area during the month of March so it is fit for purpose over the summer months.
The Counselling service are keen to hear from other Colleges and gardens and are always happy to receive donations of seeds.
The sky garden – Cambridge Commonwealth, European & International Trust
Building a garden in a basement has its challenges as does building a garden in the sky, which is what the Cambridge Commonwealth, European & International Trust have done. Their top floor, city centre location might not be seen as an ideal garden location but using pot plants on the building roof they have managed to grow plants which allow them to connect with nature during their workday.
