To be honest, we were met with some scepticism when we started doing our own gardening in the park. Some wondered if the plants would survive. Others just wondered if it was worth it. But we’ve now planted two beds and hundreds of spring bulbs. They’re doing well and we’re gaining momentum.

Our first project was a herb garden in the old sandpit in the children’s playground. On a spring day, we brought a barrow of tools, and planted rosemary, thyme, fennel, lavender and other herbs into a disused sandpit. Some parents planted while their children played. Some children stopped playing to plant. With a bit of watering help from volunteers during the hot summer, the herb garden flourished to brighten and scent the playground.

Since then, we have planted shrubs and annuals into a neglected central bed. And we worked with the “Green Team” of 7–10 year-olds from St Andrew’s School, through a snowy late-autumn day, to plant hundreds of daffodils for the springtime. Later in the year, teenagers and youth leaders from British Trust for Conservation Volunteers worked on a bark path in the park across the wooded area adjacent to Barnsbury Road. The aim is to plant bluebells and other bulbs along the path for a woodland walk.

We welcome volunteer gardeners of any level of skill or interest. We might be able to teach you something about gardening; you might be able to teach us something about gardening. But we can help to make the park a more pleasant place.

Gardening sessions will be announced on the website and through e-mails. In our future projects, we’re planning to plant for birds, bees and other wildlife—as well as brighten up the park.

empty sandpit

Our herb garden started from a blank canvas.

sandpit team

Thanks to our small but enthusiastic team,

flourishing

It flourished over the summer.