guildfordcycads

Hi Everyone,

Hope this is OK to post. I am currently finishing my final year of my psychology degree, and I’ve been focusing on gathering insights into the positive impacts of various social and therapeutic horticulture projects (specifically in the UK 🇬🇧)

I am currently looking for people to interview about their experiences working in these kinds of projects as a volunteer, and what positive or transformative effects they have observed in their own life. This would be a short call over Zoom/Skype, audio only, and would only take around 30 minutes, and would be completely anonymous when published.

Most land based community volunteer projects can be included including permaculture, horticulture, ecotherapy, CSAs, etc.

If anyone is able to help, it would not only help a fellow permaculturist out, but also would be contributing to some really interesting insights into how important these projects can be to everyone living happier, healthier lives!

Please feel free to DM me if you might be interested in helping and thank you in advance!

Hello! I recently acquired a piece of land in south wales, UK and want to do something special on it (lucky me, i know!) It has not been cared for in years and I am completely new to gardening so it’s going to be a huge challenge/opportunity!! I hope i’m in the right place for all ideas under the sun 🙂 We have already started laying a hedge using hazel already in place on the perimeter.

Main facts

• 100meters wide (across slope) by 10-15m deep
• Access pathway (ours, not public) along top, small public country lane along bottom
• South east facing
• acidic soil
• sloping both in a east and south direction (basically, it’s the side of a hill, running up a hill)

It is kind of divided into 4 areas:

1. 15x20m – mostly hazel, nettles, bit of bracken, fireweed, lots of old logs from previous work. pretty flat
2. 15x20m – open area, mostly bracken, some nettles, fireweed. couple of ferns quite a big slope. hoping to turn this into a fruit guild / veg growing space with a bit of seating as this has best view. I have already started a couple of no dig terraced beds but not planted anything yet except 6 potatoes
3. 10x40m – pretty sure this is completely carpeted in three cornered leeks (but i’m still optimistic they might be bluebells, ha! if not, I presume I will need to remove these and eat them with every meal for the foreseeable future?). Quite a few foxgloves at the top of the slope. mostly sycamore, a few hazel and 2-3 silver birch. a couple of spots are more open and have bracken. a few nice spots with decaying old logs.
4. 10x20m – darker area towards the bottom – neighbours tree shading this area. has some holly, ferns.

Main aims are to grow some veggies (preferably those that need more space), plant some fruit trees, prefer native and heritage varieties but everything needs to be pretty beginner friendly, wildlife friendly, also want space to chill. Happy to test out different growing techniques and especially permaculture. would like to make compost. overall aim is to keep it fun and simple for beginners. I presume i should aim to tackle 1 area per year?? I only really have weekends and evenings available so also looking for quick wins 😀 All ideas welcome!!!!