Grow Mayow Community Garden

PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PANELS WORKSHOP

2012-02-24T02:36:00.001-08:00

Making photovoltaic solar panels from recycled and scrap materials workshop

We are happy to announce a one day workshop on how to make
photovoltaic solar panels from recycled and scrap materials.

Being connected to the grid, we take electricity for granted. Most of us consume electricity without considering where it came from, how it was produced or the true cost of producing energy. We therefore consume way more than is necessary.By taking control of our own energy production, we can learn how to use energy more efficiently.

This workshop aims to show you the fundamentals of making solar panels to generate your own electricity.

You will learn all you need to know to build a small or large solar panel for a fraction of the cost of buying one.

What will be covered
- Why build your own
- How to source the materials (broken panels, frames, sealants, etc)
- Understanding the components and the different configurations
- Batteries, charge controllers, diodes and inverters
- Hands on experience of building a solar PV panel
- Weatherproofing

Please note, these systems are not eligible for Feed In Tariff

Venue: Grow Mayow
Date: 18th March 10am to 5pm
Cost: £50 (£40 concessions)

Please fill in this form to register your interest
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dGhPREM2czkyYmdpNXNkeFRGci1aZlE6MA#gid=0

Places are limited so this form will be used to reserve your place.

Confirmation is only completed upon receipt of payment.

If you have trouble with the form email
rakeshaji@googlemail.com

INTRODUCTION PERMACULTURE DESIGN

2012-02-23T13:05:00.007-08:00

We'll be holding an Introduction to

Permaculture Design WEEKEND COURSE
14TH & 15TH APRIL

£65

cons £55

An introduction to the basics of permaculture design & how this approach can be applied to individual circumstances in order to facilitate a move towards sustainability. This two day 'taster' weekend will create opportunities to actively learn about the ethics and principles of permaculture.

Over the weekend we will cover:

Origins of Permaculture

Ethics and Principles

Design methods

Examples of permaculture in practice

Observation

Practical exercise including forest garden work.

An overview of the permaculture network and how to find out more.

Permaculture uses whole system thinking to consciously create productive environments that work with the diversity, stability and resilience of natural systems.

The course is a stand alone course or gives you access onto various Full Design Courses (72hr+)

Course is led by Claire White

http://www.clairewhitegardens.co.uk/Claire_White_Gardens/Welcome.html

Lonely planet of Community Gardens

2012-02-08T04:45:00.001-08:00

Lonely planet of Community Gardens, a group on Flickr.

NURSERY RHYME TIME IN THE GARDEN

2011-10-16T07:47:00.001-07:00

EVERY TUESDAY 10.15am

The Community Garden Welcome to our site

2010-09-11T03:45:00.000-07:00

The mission of Grow Mayow Community Garden

To create a community hub that is a source of education and enthusiasm for growing.
Our aim is to encourage inner city gardening with a view to reducing the carbon output involved in food production and transport.
We host workshops for both adults and children to introduce vegetable growing, organic gardening and permaculture techniques.
Three principles of permaculture that we apply are
Earth Care, People care, and Fair share

We host several events each year to expose the wider community to what different ways of gardening looks like, to build a community of volunteers, and to have fun.
Our ethos is sustainability – reduce, reuse recycle – and inclusiveness – we want garden users to reflect the diversity of the neighbourhood.

We are a voluntary non profit organisation in South London, we grow food, herbs, flowers, we sell, and help others to grow

Permaculture
At Grow Mayow you will see many examples of permaculture food growing in practice. This includes companion planting – putting beneficial plants side-by-side, rainwater harvesting system, and recycling of materials.

As well as considering permaculture in our food growing, we aim to apply the idea of permaculture and interconnecting elements to our work away from the site.
This includes encouraging others to get involved in our projects.
Our initiatives
• Support people to develop in horticulture skills.
• Training, workshops and other learning, we give practical support to local community groups and organisations that want to start or develop their own food growing projects.
• We sell seasonal vegetables and growing resources (like compost) with planting advice on site.
Mayow Park community garden relies entirely on voluntary contributions.

We hope you will have the chance to visit us in person, to wander around, to sit, relax and enjoy the garden.

Community Garden

2010-07-14T13:08:00.000-07:00

Grow Mayow community garden & nursery

2010-05-13T07:17:00.001-07:00

Mayow Park Community growing Project

In partnership with Lewisham Council to support the launch of the Council's new community gardens guide.

January 2010

Before & after

Edible playground patch
This way all children have a chance to learn where food comes from.
How does it grow? How does it taste? What is the smell?
What lives in the soil?
What is pollination?
What is propagation?

Cottage garden
The cottage garden, complete with roses round the door, is often perceived as our national style.

In this patch we grow vegatable along side cutting flowers and small fruit bushes insect hotels and companion planting to attract beneficial insects.

The recycled garden
How to reuse materials such as using old tyres as planters.

Woodland

Herb spiral

In this spiral you can find different varieties of herbs.

Herbs for Medicinal ,culinary, cosmetic and dye purposes.

Sensory patch
Smelly plants and sweet aromas
Touchy feely plants, spiky and soft
Balloon Flowers ( blue blossom) ,Ret Hot Pokers, Giant Sunflowers
Grasses, wildflowers, zinnias, purple carrots, Giant pumpkins,
Marigold, Chinese lantern, and Chocolate cosmos.

Wildflower border
Who said gardening wasn’t easy? Okay, maybe some parts aren’t that simple – grafting, propagation, weeding on cliffs, getting rid of slugs and innumerable other things but some aspects of gardens are unbelievably straightforward.
In this border we have sown a huge range of flowers species varying from sky blue cornflowers, to custard coloured daisies, candy pink campion, mallows, phacelia, corncockles and cosmos. It is a very simple way of filling a gap - maybe while you are waiting for either inspiration or time to do something more permanent.
The result will be a fantastic sight. There is another wave of flower to come as the summer continues.

A new entrance gate to the nursery yard

Allotment /Potager before and after

Trainee Suriya made a permaculture herb spiral

Before and after

The potager allotment show garden

Community Garden

2010-03-27T11:23:00.000-07:00

Tips for a sustainable garden...window box...allotment
Composting
There are many recognised methods, but it is as simple as finding a protected area to contain layers of soil, plant and waste materials. Aeration is all-important – turn the mass every two weeks or so, covering it to retain the heat and stop drying out or saturation. If kept moist and aerated, the heat generated will destroy many diseases and unwanted seeds. Excellent compost can be made in as little as eight weeks.

Rotation and companion planting
Rotating your groups of vegetables and ‘companion’ planting utilises the natural properties of some plants to enhance the productivity of others. Here are 3 easy planting steps:

Borage to deter many pests and attract useful insects
Nasturtiums to manage aphids, pumpkin beetles, squash beetles, cabbage moths, potato beetles and whiteflies
Chamomile to accumulate useful trace elements, improve the flavour of vegetables and improve the crop size of onions

Garden buildings
Garden living areas should be practical and sustainable. This can be achieved in many ways:

Water collection in a reclaimed oak beer barrel for a supply during dry spells, when the plants need a little extra moisture
A wildflower turf roof, which insulates the room beneath, attracts beneficial insects and makes an attractive backdrop
Solar panels to utilise the sun’s energy and produce hot water for food preparation
An outdoor fireplace for warming and cooking, fueled by locally collected wood

SYDENHAM Community Garden VOLUNTEER

2010-03-26T09:03:00.001-07:00

Volunteer at Grow Mayow
If you are interested in organic growing and want to make a difference, come and join our regular volunteer work team.
Anyone who is interested in gardening and growing can volunteer - no previous experience is necessary! It's a great way of improving your growing skills and meeting other local people while making a real contribution to our community garden.
How to join the volunteer work team

If you would like to join the work team please come along to one of our Introductory Sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The sessions start promptly at 10am. You are welcome to volunteer for the rest of day if you wish. Please wear old clothes and sturdy shoes and bring a packed lunch.

spade to plate at Grow mayow

2010-03-12T08:35:00.001-08:00

Seed to Plate is a website that offers an innovative plot design tool that allows you to design a virtual plot that’s right for you. It takes into account the space you have, the time you can spare and the food you like to eat.

Seed to Plate then provides you with all the guidance, seeds and equipment you need to bring it to life, including growing guides for each variety of veg in your plot, a sowing calendar and a planting plan that shows you how to space out your plants. http://www.seedtoplate.co.uk/

Also find some usefull downloads below

* Furry furniture
* Garden bumblebees
* Making compost
* Organic gardening
* Pest or guest
* Snail and slug control
* Trees and shade plants
* Wildflower meadows

Square foot gardening from spade to plate

2010-03-01T09:08:00.000-08:00

No Space for vegetables?
It's easy to get started with your own square foot garden at home. As easy as 1, 2, 3 and you'll be harvesting in no time! Requiring no tools, less work and no weeding, square foot gardening has become one of the most efficient and popular ways to grow large crops of fresh produce without wasting valuable resources or space. A square foot garden, a method of growing in a very small space.
How do we start our square foot garden? Measure out an area 122cm x 122cm and mark the corners with pegs. Use untreated timber 3cm wide and 10cm deep. Cut 2 planks of wood 122cm long and 2 planks that are 116cm long. Take one of the 116cm lengths. To each end of the plank screw one of the 122cm lengths. When you have attached both, attach the final 116cm length to make a square. Place your square on the area that you have marked out, and fill with soil. Divide the square into sixteen x 15cm squares.
Nail long (at least 125cm) shoelaces or cord across the box to mark these squares clearly.
Now you will need to decide which plants you are going to grow. You don’t necessarily need to grow only vegetables ,you can try herbs or other plant varieties such as companion plants such as marigolds ,sunflowers or nasturtiums to grow between crops.

You will need to research this carefully as some types of vegetables and plants will do better than others in this small space. Each square will be planted with a different type of plant. Work out the compass directions. The side of the square foot that faces south is the front. Tall plants should not shade smaller ones. The tallest plants should be at the back of the bed.

Layout: Grow vegetables in squares, not rows.
Boxes: Build simple boxes that will hold soil above the ground.
Aisles: Leave a minimum of 3′ between boxes for walking between rows.
Soil: Mix together 1/3 good compost, 1/3 peat moss and 1/3 coarse vermiculite.
Grid: Make a grid with twin in each box measuring 1′ x by 1’squares.
Select: Use a variety of crop, plant, herbs or flowers in each square foot.
Plant: Read the instructions regarding spacing on the seed packet, and accordingly, plant 1, 4, 9 or 16 crops or plants per grid square.

Plant up to 3 seeds or plants per hole.
Water: Water your plants directly at their base.
Harvest: After each harvest, add compost.
Happy gardening

before you now it ,you have your feet up to enjoy your squares.

Community Garden Garden calendar

2010-02-05T03:48:00.000-08:00

I love the early mornings of Autumn days. Many of us would agree that it would be the best season of the year if not for the fact that it is a stepping stone to the inevitable: winter.
Who knows what this fall will bring, given the wacky weather high jinks we’ve experienced this year. But let’s pretend for a moment that everything will go as planned and there won’t be snow sprinkled on the peppers tomorrow morning. We can’t control the weather or stave off the inevitable, but there are a few methods we can employ as gardeners to hold back the effects of seasonal change and keep the garden party going a while.
You’re already one step ahead if your garden is a raised bed. They warm up slightly early in the spring and tend to stay warmer as the fall cools down.
A thick layer of mulch such as straw, buckwheat hulls or shredded newspaper keeps the soil and surface roots warm through nippy nights and breezy fall days. A blanket still is black plastic. The dark colour attracts the sun’s rays and the plastic holds moisture through fluke fall droughts.
Also hoop houses are toasty-warm tunnels made of metal or plastic hoops draped with a clear plastic tarp that lets light in and keeps warm air from escaping. You can buy them ready-made from garden suppliers or make your own inexpensively using bendable metal shaped into arcs or hula hoops cut in half. Push the arcs into the soil intermittently to support the length of the tunnel and cover with a big sheet of plastic. Secure the plastic in place by stapling to the sides of raised beds or with clips purchased at the hardware store.
Greenhouses made to cover individual plants are called cloches. Fancy glass cloches are nice to look at but expensive You can make as many as you like in a variety of sizes for free from plastic water bottles rescued from the recycling bin. Simply cut off the bottom and set the cloche over tender greens or frost-sensitive plants that you would like to keep in the garden just a little bit longer. Keeping the cap in place locks warmth inside; you can also remove it to water your plants and let heat escape on particularly sunny days.

For the vegetable garden here is a full set of A To Z growing cards free to download here

Community Garden

2010-01-26T13:31:00.001-08:00

DECEMBER

Winter rains can wash many nutrients from the soil.

Keep it covered with leafmould or fresh autumn leaves.
Find out how to make your own leafmould here.
Weeding done now will save time in the spring. Perennial weed roots thicken and can spread over the winter months, making them more of a problem if left until next spring. See our organic weed control page for more information.
Don’t be too tidy, leave perennial plants until the spring to cut down as they provide habitat for over wintering creatures and lovely seed heads for the birds to feed on.
Attract birds into your garden and areas where pests are known to be a problem by hanging fat balls or wild-bird seed nets.
When the temperature drops to freezing, place a bowl of water out every day for the birds and other wildlife. Make sure that ponds and birdbaths are not frozen over.
Do lots of planning for the spring, have a look through The Organic Gardening Catalogue and perhaps grow something different. Review what you grew last year and make a crop rotation

plan for next year.

NOVEMBER

Well what a weird old month November is turning out to be! Although we have had plenty of rain now, and some places have had more than enough, this autumn has started off remarkably well. Temperatures have been above normal , and when the sun does come out you can still work outside in t-shirts. Some ground frost we had but not to bad, no doubt we will get a hammering in due course but at the moment it’s so much better than last autumn.

1.Keep on top of the leaves. It’s a laborious job but it is worth while. Keep raking them up, especially if they are on your grass or on your patio and paths; wet leaves on hard surfaces can be dangerous, but don’t worry too much on your herbaceous borders as they will eventually rot down and improve the soil (Unless they are trapped around plants as they can be a hiding place for slugs).Diseased leaves such as black spot infected rose leaves should be disposed of by burning to prevent carry over of infection. The rest stick on the compost heap.

2.Keep cutting back herbaceous perennials once they go over and turn yellow.

3.Keep an eye on the weather forecasts. If frost is predicted, bring in any tender plants or wrap them in several layers of fleece.

4.Take hardwood cuttings (shrubs and trees such as Forsythia, Buddleia and Photinia) and root cuttings (Oriental poppies, Chaenomoles, Acanthus, Crambe, Dicentra, Eryngium). See Propagation section for instructions on how to do it.

5. Plant bulbs. November is ideal for planting tulips.6.Depending on where you are in the country, you may need to lift your dahlias and store them over winter. If you are in a mild area just leave them in and mulch the crown to protect it. If not, cut the stem right down to just above ground level, dig up the tuber and wash off the soil. Let it dry and then store in sand, newspaper or dry compost. Keep them cool and dry but frost free.

7.Normally, we would expect to put the lawn mower away at this time of year, but if it continues to stay mild you might get another grass cut before Christmas especially if it’s dry. Don’t forget grass can still grow even at 5 degrees. If you are finished with it, give it a good clean before you put it away.

8.If you are really bored and looking for something to do, you can always clean and oil your hand tools such as spades, hoes and forks – not my favourite job I must say.

9.Take a few moments to do a bit of garden planning. Look back at your gardening successes and gardening failures and start to plan next year’s projects. There may be beds to dig over or new areas to plant.

10.In the veg plot, clear away any dead or dying plants such as tomatoes and runner beans, dig over any bare areas and mulch with manure

Perfect time to make leave mulch!!

OCTOBER

The nights are drawing in, and October will see the clocks going back and the first frosts in colder parts of the country. Gardening time might feel curtailed by the shorter sunlight, but the days are often glorious, with the autumn colour a counterpoint to the light tipping away.

SPRING COLOUR Spring and autumn are two of the most industrious times of the year and it is worth thinking about one when you are working in the other. Bulb planting is a good example, and now is the time to think about how to light up the garden when it wakes after hibernation. Bulbs are incredible value, for they have instant impact, but it is always better to buy few varieties and larger numbers of each. Think 10s and multiples of 10 for a generous effect in pots. Think 100s (buy wholesale, anyone can if the numbers are large enough) if you are planting in grass, and look into the right varieties. The smaller-flowered Narcissus cyclamineus hybrids such as "Jack Snipe" have fine foliage and so are easily incorporated, and there are early, mid-season and late varieties to keep the display working from late winter until May.

The earlier you plant bulbs the better, for the soil is still warm, and getting the roots established before the weather closes in will help them fight wet and rot. That said, tulips are happy to go in as late as the end of November, so leave them until last . The general rule is that bulbs should be planted at two and a half times their own depth, and if you are planting in drifts, work on the principle that if you threw them in the air, you would plant where they landed.

POT MAGIC grow bulbs in pots! They can be moved around the garden when and where colour is needed, the display can be changed from year to year, and new varieties tried and tested. Most of the Middle Eastern bulbs (tulips and fritillarias) work better in pots, but the woodlanders, such as Erythronium and Galanthus, are always better in the ground long term.

AHEAD OF TIME pot up a few pans of early flowering bulbs that can be kept in the frame, to force them on a little. Iris reticulata and I histrioides are easily grown. Hippiastrum and "Paper White" Narcissus should be planted now to flower at the end of the year, but keep them inside as neither will stand being frosted.

WARM WELCOME Think about bringing in any houseplants that have been outside. Acclimatise them slowly if you can. In warmer areas of the country it is worth risking half-hardy perennials until the end of October to make the most of the finale, but in frost-prone areas you will need to bring them under cover, or into the shelter of the buildings.

IN THE FRAME As a precaution against losing half-hardy pelargonium, fuchsia and Brugmansia, the cuttings that were taken earlier in the summer are put under cover now in the frame. They will be fine here until the weather closes in at the end of November, and then they will be brought into the frost-free garage. After the remains of the basil are pulled, the frame is given a good clear-out to prevent fungal infection.

DON'T PANIC If you get an early frost, cannas and dahlias will be fine in the ground for a bit, even if their tops are browned. Many people leave them in the ground and mulch heavily, and they are happy for four or five years even in cold gardens if the mulch is deep enough. Once they show signs of losing vigour, it is time to divide and re-propagate, and in these years the old tubers will be lifted, stored in just-damp compost under frost-free cover, and divided or used for cuttings come next spring.

SPLITS AND SPLICES Geraniums, persicaria and the likes of Achillea can be cut back hard, lifted with a fork and teased apart. Reuse only the healthiest, outer growth and discard the oldest material on to the compost heap. With warmth still in the ground, the roots will take hold before winter sets in.

GET GROWING October is the start of the planting season, and material planted now will benefit from the months ahead to get roots in. Be wary of planting evergreens in exposed sites, however, as they are prone to drying out in winter winds. If you are prepared to water in winter, so much the better and get them in too.

RAKE'S PROGRESS To make the most of the moment let autumn foliage lie where you can. Beware of build-up on precious lawns and rake them free to prevent browning off of the grass. If you want to instil order without breaking your back, keep paths and terraces free for the contrast of order. An autumn feed to stimulate root growth is worth applying on lawns that get a lot of wear in the summer.

SOW MUCH BETTER Sweet peas can be sown into pots to over-winter in a sheltered position or a frame, and October is still a good time to sow lawns and meadows.

HARVEST GOLD Pumpkin and gourds can be harvested now and moved into a dry position to prevent them from rotting. Pick windfall apples for cooking and twist those on the tree half a turn to see if they're ripe. If so, they'll come away with a satisfying snap. The unblemished can be stored in a cool shed to last into the winter months. Hoarding is a good feeling that must be locked in to our DNA, for there is nothing like providing for the future.

Don't forget the birds! feed for winter and leave some fresh water.

Community Garden

2009-11-07T12:36:00.000-08:00

Grow Mayow is now part of the 2012 growing campaign

The Capital growth site where Ben & Iris are clearing the site.

Community Garden Starting form seed

2009-09-16T11:47:00.000-07:00

Materials:
Desired Seeds
Spray bottle
Containers
Seed-starting soil

Containers:

Gardeners have the choice of separate pots for each plant or flats holding many plants. The choice depends on various factors including your space limitations and the fragility of your desired plants.

Use separate pots or plug trays for most of my plants because there is less of a chance of damaging roots when transplanting. However, trays may be the more practical choice for lettuce, spinach, kale and other small seed crops.

Reuse last year's small nursery pots if you have them.

Alternatively, ask friends and family. Most gardeners have them lying around.
If neither of these options work out, any container two to three inches deep will do, including disposable cups, yogurt containers, milk cartons and toilet rolls.

You can also buy kits at your local plant nursery.

Compressed peat discs and re-useable plastic plug trays.

Make sure your containers are clean by washing with hot water.
Ensure that each pot has good drainage, i.e. a hole or two in the bottom.

Place containers in a water-catching tray lined with pebbles.

This ensures that the drained water stays out of the pot preventing root rot.
Seeds and seedlings are extremely sensitive to disease and nutrient levels. Seedlings will appreciate it if you buy a seed starting mix from your local nursery.

Fill each container with soil up to 1/4 inch from the top of the container.

Ready, set?. SOW!

Sowing the seeds:
Moisten the soil in the containers before sowing the seeds.
Put two seeds in each container to ensure something emerging.
Generally, gardeners cover the seeds to a depth about 3 times the thickness of the seeds.

Be sure to read seed packets for seed specific instructions.
Pat the soil lightly and water with watering can with rose

Transplant plants when large enough

Things to start planting now:

Spinach

Chard Rain bow

Peas /Sweet Peas

Broad beans

pakchoi

winter salads

garlic

onions

LIKE TO LEARN MORE?

Organic Vegetable Gardening:
A FREE Beginner’s Workshop
Planting, growing, propagating, companion and caring for plants.
Do you want to start a vegetable garden?
but you don’t know how?
Not sure which plants will grow well together?
What do these plants need in order to produce well?
This workshop is all you need to know form spade to plate.
No gardening experience needed.

This is an introductory 3 hour workshop. running for 6 weeks!!
Starts Wednesday 2nd February 11am-2pm for 6 weeks
Booking essential! Email us: Growmayow@gmail.com
or call 02082916596

Community Garden How it all started

2009-09-08T07:57:00.000-07:00

In June 2009 we started clearing the site and with funding form Capital growth we

could start with sowing seeds building raised beds installing water tanks.

We also had many many donations and the site is build with many recycled items and recycled wood form skips finds.

Community Garden Mayow park

2009-09-03T08:12:00.000-07:00

Alex nearly finished painting the outside

Mayow park, a bit of history

2009-05-14T10:30:00.000-07:00

Mayow Park, originally named Sydenham Recreation Ground, is the borough's oldest municipal park

The opening of Mayow Park on 1 June 1878 was a big occasion; ten thousand people filled the park, and several hundred children marched through the area, accompanied by bands and a horse-drawn carriage. The original marble drinking fountain is inscribed with the following words: 'Erected by subscription in recognition of the services of the Rev W Taylor Jones MA in acquiring this ground for the public, 1 June 1878'.

A public meeting at the Foresters' Hall, Clyde Vale (the building survives) on 24th February 1876 was a turning point. It was attended by "many well known ladies and gentlemen". The Earl of Dartmouth was in the chair. Sharing the platform with him was his younger brother, the Hon and Rev Augustus Legge. Their father, as Lewisham's major landowner, was a principal proponent and major beneficiary of the enclosure of Sydenham Common in 1819. At this meeting, Taylor Jones announced that Mayow Wynell Adams had offered 17½ acres of land for £8,500 (about half its market value). The meeting unanimously accepted the site offered by Mayow Adams and accepted a motion, proposed by George Grove, to open a subscription list of those willing to donate.

In a book published in 1878, Mayow Wynell Adams wrote, "It had often occurred to me how pleasant a thing it would be if I could devote a portion of land for the amusement and recreation of the public, but … it was not in my power to give it." In 1874, Mayow Wynell Adams inherited the Old House, on the site of the present Earlsthorpe Road. After a legal dispute with his trustees, he was able to offer the site of the present park.

Mayow Adams of Old House, Sydenham. Benefactor and co-founder of Mayow Park

The Mayow Adams family owned a considerable amount of property in Sydenham from the late eighteenth century to the late nineteenth century. The Old House on Sydenham Road, was on the site of Brookhouse Farm, and was owned by the Hodsdon family until purchased by Mayow in 1787. From then on, the Mayows acquired most of the land between Sydenham Road and Perry Vale. They also held land in Devon and Surrey, the latter being the Nunscombe estate.