Here’s a cheerful update on Buzz Garden from our Garden Facilitator, horticulturist and local resident Simon:
Day one, I remember looking at the community garden site behind Gainsborough Square a couple of months ago: it was just me with only a couple of hours a week, no volunteers, four large raised (but completely empty) beds and lots and lots of weeds. It was a bit daunting. It felt almost as bad as looking into my son’s messy bedroom. I mean, where do you start? Well, like picking up the first Lego brick, I grabbed a spade and got stuck in…
I started with a few things Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust had supplied: a whopper pile of good looking woodchip, a roll of membrane, a hammer, a box of U-Shaped staples, a shovel, a wheelbarrow and a packet of biscuits. Together, this lot allowed me to deal with the weeds for the time being whilst making it all look a bit more ship-shape. Along with the chips, a length of logs from its own trunk were lying around and perfect for building a simple, natural border. Larger logs were moved into the wood area, becoming ideal chairs for the Avon Wildlife Trust who we have been welcoming into the space every Wednesday morning this Autumn for their free nature based play sessions. Hope you liked it, kids!
After that, we had to fill the raised beds to the top… but on a budget. Thankfully, I can say “we” at this stage, as even more exciting than a Kellaway truck reversing onto site with two Dumpy bags of topsoil, our first volunteer turned up! We started to get so much more done together. This was a fun challenge in fact and we enjoyed layering the beds with a mix of any of the appropriate matter that we could get our hands on: branches, compost, upside down lawn turf, leaves, cardboard, twigs, and even a bit more woodchip.
Effectively, we cobbled together four ‘organic lasagnas’ (trademarked to Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust – you can have that!…) that would raise the level of the soil to the magic 30cm aim, whilst hopefully draining and feeding the soil over time. Now (and at no extra cost), like some stringy mozarella, the four beds are ready for the tasty topsoil. And somehow, in the middle of it all, Libby managed to find the time to prepare the ground and plant 30 odd bulbs from the Really Wild project all around the garden and I can’t wait to see what comes up in the spring.
Before the last session wrapped up for winter, I’d really wanted to make a start with the original for Buzz Community Garden plots by making a dent with the weeds before they got carried away. With perfect timing, another couple of brilliant volunteers showed up and together, we used most of the rest of the woodchip. Thanks to everyone’s hard work.
Looking back at that first day, it’s amazing to see how much can be done with a few pairs of hands, enthusiasm and a Toblerone. The whole area now looks so much better and I can’t wait to see what we all come up with together in the new year.
Watch this space!
Simon (1st Dec 2025)
Buzz Community Garden has now gone to bed for the winter. Stay tuned in Jan/Feb for sessions starting again.
