new greenhouse opens with 'buddy' group
We're excited to announce that our new and improved space2grow greenhouse is up and running and already busy with local school groups.
Gerard, our resident octogenarian gardening expert, joined our first visitors from Potter's Gate Primary School and helped the children plant shallots, onions, leeks and broad bean seeds. They will check on progress during their weekly visits and plant the seedlings in the garden when it's warmer.
We're delighted to welcome this new 'buddy' group of Year 6 and Reception children to the acre and look forward to them harvesting their vegetables later in the year.
spotlight on the new greenhouse
The new greenhouse is a wonderful addition to the acre. It replaces the old, smaller ones, which were sadly no longer fit for purpose, and will provide more space for seedlings and planting, as well as additional shelter for activities on wet days.
Gardening volunteers and trustees were busy last week building staging and preparing the area outside the greenhouse to be ready for our first visitors.
Thank you to our generous funders
We are very grateful to the three local charities that so generously supported the purchase and building of the new greenhouse: The Hedgehogs; Farnham Lions; and the Farnham Round Table.
A spokesperson from The Hedgehogs told us, "The Hedgehogs were pleased to make a donation towards the new greenhouse and we are delighted that children are already using it for the planting of seeds. We look forward to a visit later in the year to see the plants and crops."
We look forward to welcoming all our project funders to the garden to show them what a difference the new building is making. A big thank you also goes to our trustees and gardening volunteers who dismantled the old greenhouses in preparation for the construction work and helped get the new building ready for the start of the year.
in our garden
Our hardy volunteers have wrapped up and braved frost and rain over the past couple of weeks, getting stuck into the winter clearing jobs like moving logs and bricks so that areas can be more easily strimmed in the summer.
There were some beautiful mosses and lichens to discover.
And our hedgehog house was relocated and given a new roof. There's still been time for the essential cuppa, biscuits and catch up.
January is slowly warming up and bringing new life to the garden.
reflections from the acre ...
Continuing our greenhouse theme, the reflections this week come from pupils and teachers at Farnham Heath End School who are building a new greenhouse on the acre using recycled bottles. Taking shape next to the pond, this greenhouse is a great example of recycling, using the frame from one of our old greenhouses and bottles collected in school. We can't wait to see the finished structure, which will be another great addition to the garden.
"space2grow has provided our students with a wonderful opportunity to participate in a Wellbeing intervention outside of the classroom. The whole environment is extremely welcoming, nurturing, and supportive of the many difficulties facing children and adults in today's climate. Nicola and Kelley are wonderful ambassadors and as a result of this we have developed a very close supportive bond. The students cannot wait for Fridays to come around as they are totally committed to completing the recycling greenhouse project and working within the group alongside the gorgeous dogs and surrounding wildlife. We have seen a huge impact on the students currently attending, and watched in awe as they have grown both socially and in confidence. The area itself is situated locally and provides individuals with an opportunity to escape to a quiet place of sanctity and warmth."
"I love space2grow because it can be really relaxing and, on a Friday, normally l have no motivation for school but now I'm like yeah let's go to school as I have space2grow and the atmosphere helps a lot with my wellbeing, not to mention that it's creative and enjoyable."
"space2grow is fun!! It has helped me to enjoy school more and is something that l look forward to at the end of the week. The staff and teachers are nice and support us with anything we need. I really like the dogs being around because they are loving, and help me to relax. When you walk into the garden its like walking into a new land."
"I enjoy going to space2grow because everyone gets along and we work together as a team. The two ladies (Nicola and Kelley) help us and are funny. I struggle with school but on a Friday, it motivates me to get up early. Walking into the garden doesn't feel real, it's like walking into a calm and safe space. The dogs are playful and bring joy to the group. For me personally the robin is like a message from heaven. I feel like Aneeshwar Kunchala on Britain's Got Talent because he wants to save the planet and our project is about recycling and reusing plastics in a positive way.'"
"space2grow has been a game changer for our students. The joy and camaraderie it has induced is wonderful to see. The environment creates a relaxing space for the kids to let go of any worries and enjoy nature."
If you would like to share what the acre means to you please email info@space2grow.space - we love hearing everyone's reflections.