March bulletin
There can be no doubt that summer is nearly on the way, writes Head Gardener Tom Brown.
I hope some of you were fortunate enough to have a moment in the garden this month, the sunshine has been truly glorious for us in Greenwich. As the snowdrops recede the daffodils take centre stage. Have a look over at the Sancho Café where we have planted ‘Tete a Tete’, a lovely compact cultivar with a classic cheerful warm yellow hue. You may have noticed that a few of our seasonal beds are starting to pop up with colour as the hyacinths and lunaria prepare to have their moment.
Don’t forget to get your secateurs out as many of your shrubs will need pruning. We have recently done our wisterias and roses and will be working on our hydrangeas in the coming weeks. Do be careful what species you have as it will affect how you prune yours. A particular favourite of mine is Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight’. Stop for a quick chat If you see any of our gardeners working on the hydrangeas, they would be happy to share their knowledge!
If you are a keen vegetable grower, get sowing! And get yourself down to the Queen's Orchard. This has now reopened for the summer and is a great place to get tips, tricks and inspiration for your veg garden.
Emma Paley, at the helm, has steered the orchard to greatness through the winter and is already bringing in harvests. Check out her 'Hugelkultur' bed, a new cultivation method to us whereby organic material is buried underneath a growing bed to create warmth, fertility, and moisture retention. It will be fascinating to see the results.
We hope to see you all throughout spring.
Nodding gently: Daffs in the Park - a sight to cheer us all up
Picture: Vida Cody FoGP Photography Group
Welcome to... wildlife drop-in activities
Pond dipping and seed sowing will be on offer on Saturday March 15 in the Park's new Learning Centre.
The Welcome Day runs from 11am to 4pm at the centre in the Flower Garden. It is a collaboration between Greenwich Park, the Field Studies Council and the Friends' wildlife group, and is a thank you to National Lottery players for helping to fund Greenwich Park Revealed. Visitors can also take part in wellbeing reflection under the outdoor Learning Canopy, and explore finds from recent archaeological digs in the Park.
The Learning Centre is located by the lake in the Flower Garden. The way to the entrance will be signposted around the Flower Garden.
More details of this and other events in the Park at Welcome Day, Field Studies Council and Friends of Greenwich Park.
Learn about the Park's trees
Discover the trees in the Park with nature guide Monika Dunkel.
The Friends offer free guided tree walks to members and there are two more walks on Sunday April 6, at 11am and 1pm.
The walks are restricted to adult members and there will be a limited number of places. They take place largely in the Flower Garden so apologies, but dogs are not allowed.
Booking will open here at 10.00am on March 24 and each walk will have a waiting list. If two from one household want to come, please book separately.
A really big dig in the orchard
Emma Paley and volunteers at the Queen's Orchard have been hard at work with a 'Hugelkultur' project this month.
This horticultural technique, from the German hugel meaning mound, comprises a large raised bed made of wood debris and other compostable plant materials.
Emma, the orchard's Kitchen Engagement Officer, said the group created a huge mound on one of the beds, collectively digging out a 60cm trench and piling it with decaying wood and other compostable biomass plant materials including sticks, twigs, woodchip, leaves, grass clippings and compost. She said of her volunteers: 'You are all mighty strong hard workers, that digging was not easy work. I am really excited to see what happens in the next months and years to come.' She said that hugelkultur aims to improve soil fertility, water retention and extend the growing seasons, adding: 'Let's see what we can grow!'
Layering up: Volunteers add large logs, grass clippings, leaves and twigs. Piling up the last layer and the finished mound, just in time for planting Pictures: Emma Paley
Calling all poets
If you love poetry, why not join Jack Cooper's reading and writing workshops in the Park.
Jack, our poet-in-residence, is holding a session to read and discuss poems about the Park on April 12. If you'd like to write your own poems, Jack will guide you through activities to help you with metaphors and similes about the Park on May 10.
All sessions will take place in the Learning Centre and will run from noon until 1pm. Email Jack via the contact form on www.jackcooperpoet.com or through info@friendsofgreenwichpark.org.uk, citing Poetry Group.
Join our bird walk
Julia Holland will lead the next Bird Walk on March 30. Meet at the Blackheath Gate at 8.30am. There is no need to book, but bring binoculars if you have them. The walks last approximately two hours.
Green screening
If you're interested in the health of our rivers head on down to Greenwich Picturehouse.
River Action, an organisation whose mission is to rescue Britain's waterways from pollution, is hosting a Picturehouse Green Screen event on Wednesday, March 27, to connect those passionate about conservation in the area. The documentary film, Rave On for the Avon, will be followed by a Q&A and panel.
Picturehouse Green Screen shows environmentally-focused films and gives the audience a chance to connect with the local community.
Play misty for me...
Columns of stone and light: An atmospheric image of the Observatory
Picture: Will Lowe, FoGP Photography Group
A misty start to the session led to some atmospheric shots at the latest photography group get together, writes Ian Welsby. The sun burning through, an hour later, transformed the images, allowing more defined and colourful detail.
The March theme was to celebrate spring, and to photograph the early flora, including the daffs. The trees were still a little bare, making for some really graphic images, and the bark offered some interesting colour mixes and close-up textures. And of course the Park has its own photographic grandeur. Having said that, the members also captured the wildlife, new and old.
Following a discussion of what types of subject people were most interested in, the group split into two. Some visited the Flower Garden and the lake, others photographed the landscape and trees. The group re-convened at the Pavilion Cafe after 90 minutes to discuss the images and the group work.
If you're a keen photographer - or just keen to learn - and are interested in joining this lively group email us at info@friendsofgreenwichpark.org.uk, citing Photography Group.
Spring in our steps: The Park is bursting with new life
Pictures: Vida Cody FoGP Photography Group