April 2012
Christ Church Garden up on the Ridgeway near Wimbledon Village is seeking more volunteers to join its dedicated leader, Julie. Please get in touch via our email address: wimbledonfoodgroup@gmail.com
Fireplace Garden off Kingston Road, by Kirkley Road, is running gardening sessions most Sundays from 12noon. Please email if you would like to get involved. We shall be planting many things soon: wimbledonfoodgroup@gmail.com
March 2012
The Fireplace Garden took part in Capital Growth's Big Dig event this year. 17th March 2012, many gardens across the country took part in this day to encourage people to get digging and to view the green spaces we have set up. We really enjoyed the day here in South Wimbledon, with three new members joining us. Read more here in our blog.
September 2011
Next Wimbledon Food Group meeting is Thursday 13 October, 6.30pm in the Alexandra pub (next to Wimbledon library). At 7.30pm we will move across to the Mansel Road centre for Transition Town Wimbledon's free screening of "The Economics of Happiness".
April 2011
The Fireplace Garden in South Wimbledon now has its own blog, tracking the work and progress so far.
Check it out using the above link, or click here.
Check it out using the above link, or click here.
February 2011
Great news! We now have two community gardens!
One of these, 'Fireplace Community Garden' near South Wimbledon tube station (opposite the Fire Station in the back of the Fireplace shop), we have already started work on today by clearing out all the rubbish. New work dates will be arranged soon, so if you're in the area and would like to grow your own veg there then watch this space/our Project Dirt page! In the meantime check out this little video about how we transformed this abandoned back garden in just a few hours:
One of these, 'Fireplace Community Garden' near South Wimbledon tube station (opposite the Fire Station in the back of the Fireplace shop), we have already started work on today by clearing out all the rubbish. New work dates will be arranged soon, so if you're in the area and would like to grow your own veg there then watch this space/our Project Dirt page! In the meantime check out this little video about how we transformed this abandoned back garden in just a few hours:
We also have a small piece of land near Wimbledon Village for which the opening day will shortly be published!
In the meantime why not have a look at our new Food Blog, where Garden Organic's Master Gardener Claire Benson tells us about what we can grow this month!
In the meantime why not have a look at our new Food Blog, where Garden Organic's Master Gardener Claire Benson tells us about what we can grow this month!
January 2011
First of all Happy New Year from all of us at the Food Group!
Here are a few events for your diary in the near future:
Food Group Meeting - Wednesday 16th February, The Alex Pub on Wimbledon Hill (just look for some veggies on the table!)
Transition Town Wimbledon Green Coffee Morning- Tuesday 1st February, 9:30-11am, Piaf, 40 Wimbledon Hill Road, SW19 7PA
Come and join us for morning coffee on the first Tuesday of each month. If you are already taking steps to reduce your carbon footprint, or you're thinking about how to get started, this is the place to meet up and discuss things.
...Can't wait to get your hands dirty? It might be a little chilly to do any planting outside at the moment, but don't despair! There's plenty of stuff you can sow inside right now. Here is a handy list from Garden Organic's Master Gardener Claire Benson:
What to grow now – (late Jan/Feb/early March)
The following can be sown indoors:
Summer cabbage
Aubergines
Broadbeans
Lettuces
Celery
Chilli peppers
French beans
Sweet peppers
Tomatoes
Given the unusually cold winter, it's probably best to wait until March with planting outdoors, but once the weather gets a bit better
the following could be sown directly into the ground:
Garlic
Celeriac
Potatoes
Shallots
Spring onions
Peas
Jerusalem Artichokes
Leeks
Globe Artichokes
To be sown in a cold frame:
Brussels
Cauliflower
Here are a few events for your diary in the near future:
Food Group Meeting - Wednesday 16th February, The Alex Pub on Wimbledon Hill (just look for some veggies on the table!)
Transition Town Wimbledon Green Coffee Morning- Tuesday 1st February, 9:30-11am, Piaf, 40 Wimbledon Hill Road, SW19 7PA
Come and join us for morning coffee on the first Tuesday of each month. If you are already taking steps to reduce your carbon footprint, or you're thinking about how to get started, this is the place to meet up and discuss things.
...Can't wait to get your hands dirty? It might be a little chilly to do any planting outside at the moment, but don't despair! There's plenty of stuff you can sow inside right now. Here is a handy list from Garden Organic's Master Gardener Claire Benson:
What to grow now – (late Jan/Feb/early March)
The following can be sown indoors:
Summer cabbage
Aubergines
Broadbeans
Lettuces
Celery
Chilli peppers
French beans
Sweet peppers
Tomatoes
Given the unusually cold winter, it's probably best to wait until March with planting outdoors, but once the weather gets a bit better
the following could be sown directly into the ground:
Garlic
Celeriac
Potatoes
Shallots
Spring onions
Peas
Jerusalem Artichokes
Leeks
Globe Artichokes
To be sown in a cold frame:
Brussels
Cauliflower
Tree planting
In the spirit of the National Tree Week, the Food Group got together with Councillor Stephen Alambritis to plant some beautiful young apple trees at the bottom of Wimbledon Hill.
Here is what Merton Council had to say about it:
"Merton Council has teamed up with Wimbledon residents to bring Merton apple varieties to Wimbledon Hill.
Leader of Merton Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis joined local community group Transition Town Wimbledon to plant apple trees which will bear Merton Russet and Merton Knave apples. The varieties were developed in 1950 and 1975 respectively at the old John Innes Institute in Merton Park and were selected for Wimbledon Hill by the National Trust at Morden Hall Park.
The project supports the council's community plan's objective to develop food producing potential of Merton's green spaces: www.merton.gov.uk/merton_community_plan.pdf
The trees are sponsored by local residents and Riverford Organic Vegetables.
Leader of Merton Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: "This is a great example of the community, local business and the council working together on an initiative to benefit the borough's appearance, making it more attractive for residents to enjoy. It is marvellous that these apples are Merton varieties, and I look forward to seeing them flourish over the coming years. A thank you must go to Transition Town Wimbledon for leading the initiative for the benefit of the community.'
Transition Town Wimbledon's John White said: "We hope these apple trees will be a reminder that we won't always be able to rely on cheap imported food. We can't all have allotments, but let's make the best use of the spaces we have around the borough.'"
Do you know of any other green spaces in and around Wimbledon that could be suitable for planting more fruit trees or even some veg? Let us know!
Here is what Merton Council had to say about it:
"Merton Council has teamed up with Wimbledon residents to bring Merton apple varieties to Wimbledon Hill.
Leader of Merton Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis joined local community group Transition Town Wimbledon to plant apple trees which will bear Merton Russet and Merton Knave apples. The varieties were developed in 1950 and 1975 respectively at the old John Innes Institute in Merton Park and were selected for Wimbledon Hill by the National Trust at Morden Hall Park.
The project supports the council's community plan's objective to develop food producing potential of Merton's green spaces: www.merton.gov.uk/merton_community_plan.pdf
The trees are sponsored by local residents and Riverford Organic Vegetables.
Leader of Merton Council Councillor Stephen Alambritis said: "This is a great example of the community, local business and the council working together on an initiative to benefit the borough's appearance, making it more attractive for residents to enjoy. It is marvellous that these apples are Merton varieties, and I look forward to seeing them flourish over the coming years. A thank you must go to Transition Town Wimbledon for leading the initiative for the benefit of the community.'
Transition Town Wimbledon's John White said: "We hope these apple trees will be a reminder that we won't always be able to rely on cheap imported food. We can't all have allotments, but let's make the best use of the spaces we have around the borough.'"
Do you know of any other green spaces in and around Wimbledon that could be suitable for planting more fruit trees or even some veg? Let us know!
