BY SUE JEFFRIES PROFESSIONAL GARDEN ADVISER AND … · 2014-01-06 · SUE JEFFRIES PROFESSIONAL GARDEN ADVISER AND TRAINER FDSc, MBA, PGCE, QTLS SEPTEMBER 2013 . 2 ... a Forest Garden

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sjgardenadvice.co.uk

HORTICULTURAL REPORT ON PROPOSALS FOR

LOVECLOUGH COMMUNITY GARDEN FACILITY

BY

SUE JEFFRIES

PROFESSIONAL GARDEN ADVISER AND TRAINER

FDSc, MBA, PGCE, QTLS

SEPTEMBER 2013

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CONTENTS

Page

1. Location Issues 3

1.1. Exposure

1.2. Aspect

1.3. Soil

2. Potential for Specialist Areas 8

2.1. Forest School and/or Forest Garden

2.2. Community Eating/Social Area

2.3. Sensory Garden

3. Structures 10

3.1. Undercover Growing Facilities

3.2. Community Educational Building

3.3. Fencing

4. Layout of the Community Gardening Facility 13

5. Management of the Facility 14

6. Further Information 15

7. Plan of Suggested alterations to the layout of 16

the Community Garden Facility

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REPORT

1. LOCATION

1.1 EXPOSURE

1.1 a) Issues

The proposed site is located on the side of a valley with no significant shelter

from surrounding woodlands or existing buildings. The prevailing wind in this

area is usually from the West and will be likely to be channelled South

Westerly through the valley from the direction of Rawtenstall up the valley

towards Burnley. This creates an exposed and windy location for growing

crops and gardening in general.

The specific problems of such an exposed location are as follows;

Cold air temperatures

Wind burn on plants in the winter

Poor conditions for fruit trees

Snapped stems on tall plants

Colder soil which takes longer to warm up in the spring – resulting in a

very short growing season for crops that are grown outside

Unpleasantly cold and windy condition for growers and gardeners

during the winter and early spring

Dry soil in the summer

Erosion of dry, loose soil

Nowhere sheltered to sit and admire the plants and trees

Fewer winged insects, such aphids/greenfly, which find it harder to

shelter in windy conditions

Good air circulation, which can reduce fungal infections on plants.

1.1 b) Action Needed

There are two key actions that could be taken to offset the effect of this

exposed location; establishing wind breaks (to filter the wind and reduce its

speed) and using undercover growing areas (to cut out the drying and

cooling effect of the wind and trap the heat of the sun.)

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Wind breaks

The most effective windbreaks are those that filter the wind, rather than block

it totally. Therefore, hedges and trees will work better than fences or walls.

Filtering wind breaks will provide shelter on the ground for three times their

height, see the diagram below

http://weathersolve.com/how-windbreaks-work/

Therefore, if a tall hedge or narrow belt of trees up to just 3000mm (10 feet)

tall is planted at the boundary of the growing area and at 9000mm (30 foot)

intervals this will dramatically reduce the wind speed on the site. The result will

be warmer air and soil, creating better growing conditions for plants and far

more pleasant conditions for the gardeners themselves. Although the

windbreaks will take up some land, they will not reduce the overall

productivity of the land as that remaining will provide more crops.

The Community Garden would need a wind break planting at its boundaries

with the Allotments and the Orchard and then another planting half way

across the area (see the Plan in Section 7, page 16).

I would also advise that windbreaks are established to the South and West to

protect the Orchard before it is planted, and similarly for the general

Allotment Development.

Plants suitable for windbreaks

Willow and hazel will root quickly and can be managed relatively easily by

coppicing to reduce their height, if necessary. They also provide a by-

product of stems for weaving or using as supports for climbing plants through

the coppicing process. Maintenance should be done annually with simple

pruning saws and loppers and does not need specialist equipment such as

chainsaws or hedge trimmers.

Hawthorn will also grow well and tolerate exposed conditions, but will require

annual trimming with specialist equipment and is very thorny, which can be a

problem where young children are working.

http://weathersolve.com/how-windbreaks-work/

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Undercover Growing Areas

By eliminating the cooling and drying effect of the wind, undercover growing

areas will greatly increase the growth of crops and provide a comfortable

gardening area for most of the year. Polytunnels can provide a suitable

undercover area without the potential danger of broken glass if greenhouses

are used. However, two key issues need to be considered it polytunnels are

used.

Location - Polytunnels do need to have good air circulation during the

warmer months of the year and so should be positioned so the prevailing

wind can naturally flow through its doors/side openings. If the polytunnel is

located near a windbreak it should be thinned to allow the continuous flow of

air. A polytunnel with sides that can be rolled up during the day would

greatly improve the growing conditions in the summer.

Irrigation – There must be adequate facilities for watering crops inside the

polytunnel all year round. A standpipe attached to porous pipe is ideal for

ground-level crops. Whereas, seeds or plants in trays on benches or staging

will need an overhead watering system, capillary matting and/or manual

watering using a hose.

More details on the Undercover Growing Area are included below in section

3.1, page 10.

1.2 ASPECT

1.2 a) Issues

The site is North-West facing on the side of the valley and is not

overshadowed by buildings or woodland. This provides a good location for

growing, with plenty of sunlight and excellent air circulation.


Overall this is a good aspect for growing and no specific action is required.

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1.3 SOIL

1.3 a) Issues

All the soil formations in the UK have been mapped by the National Soil

Resources Institute and can be checked by postcode area online. The soil

formation for this site is characterised as ‘Peaty, slowly permeable wet, very

acid upland soil with a peaty surface’ it has low fertility and drains poorly.

https://www.landis.org.uk/soilscapes/

Having attempted to grow fruit and vegetables myself over three years on a

very similar site at a local school in Rawtenstall I have found that we could

only produce worthwhile crops in fresh topsoil, raised beds or undercover in a

polytunnel. Attempting to grow straight into the soil on site proved to be very

unproductive. Despite single digging and adding manure and fertiliser we

struggled to produce crops. Many areas of our site were solid clay with rocks

with less than 10cm of top soil. The site was subject to waterlogging for most

of the year; which made it impossible to plant out seeds or crops. However,

during hot weather the clay soil would dry solid and cracks would form. Our

14m long polytunnel did provide a good growing space until 2012 when it

was flooded from below due to poor drainage in the field above us.

Unfortunately putting drainage pipes 500mm under the soil had no effect as

either the fine clay particles quickly blocked the drainpipes or the clay

prevented the water filtering down to the pipes at all.

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My experience has convinced me that sustained gardening is only possible

on this type of soil in this location if raised beds and fresh topsoil/organic

matter are used or a deep layer of 600mm topsoil is added across the whole

site to provide a base for growing.

Improving the ground Soil

The introduction of a base layer of hardcore/gravel of 30mm+ diameter

followed by fresh topsoil 600mm (2 foot) deep would provide a good base for

growing. This soil should then be mulched (covered) with a 50mm+ (2 inch)

layer of organic matter (manure, compost, leaf mould etc) each

autumn/winter to maintain its fertility and structure.

Raised Beds

Raised beds are often the best solution for young children and those with

limited physical strength as no digging is required to produce crops. Instead

of digging over, the raised beds should be covered with a layer of manure or

compost at least 50mm deep each autumn/winter. Worms and beetles will

then incorporate the manure into the soil in time for spring planting.

The other advantage of raised beds is that the soil will warm up more quickly

in the spring and drainage is greatly improved.

Raised beds should be a maximum of 1200mm (4 foot) wide for adults and

750 – 1000mm wide for young children so that they can reach across to plant

and weed without needing to tread on the soil.

The minimum height for a raised bed is 150mm, but again small children and

those will less physical mobility may prefer beds of at 300– 600mm high, which

provide a more comfortable working height. ‘Table top’ beds – raised up on

legs are a perfect adaptation for anyone in a wheelchair or who prefers to

garden while seated.

Paths between beds should be paved and be at least 1200mm (4 foot) wide

to provide good access for groups, wheelbarrows etc.

I recommend that the Community Garden includes a range of growing areas

(undercover space, raised beds of various heights and ground-level

allotments built on 600mm of fresh topsoil) to enable the maximum access

and enjoyment by members of the local community.

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2. POTENTIAL FOR SPECIALIST AREAS

2.1 Existing Woodland - Forest Garden/Forest School

There is a small area of young woodland next to the Community Garden

Facility which could be developed to become either

a Forest Garden – this is achieved through a long-term project via managing

the woodland and creating an environment that can produce food through

long-lived edible plants such as blackberries, raspberries and their hybrids,

currants, blueberries, elderberry, nut trees (such as hazel) which grow

naturally under larger trees. The initial planning and planting and ongoing

management would take time and would need to be done by a dedicated

local group, but the fruits could be harvested and enjoyed by local children

from the surrounding schools who use the Community Garden.

and/or

a Forest School – an outdoor play and learning resources for children.

Learning about woodlands and the natural environment fits well with the

National Curriculum and develops the skills and confidence in children to

enjoying playing outdoors and use the full range of their senses to explore

and find out about the plants, earth and wildlife found in a woodland.

Either of these options could use the Community Education Building as a base

from which to explore the woodland. By providing a building, toilet and hand

washing facilities the Loveclough Community Garden facility could

accommodate children from more distant Primary schools and children’s

centres for a full day’s outing.

2.2 Social Eating Area

An area could be provided for group barbeques and outdoor social

activities. Some picnic benches and built in barbeque and/or wood-burning

oven could allow groups to harvest and cook their food together.

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2.3 Sensory Garden

Most gardens stimulate some of our senses but a ‘Sensory Garden’ is

specifically designed to include stimulation for all five senses; sight, smell,

touch, taste and sound. Sensory gardens are design to be strolled through

and sat in, so they provide stimulation but also a sense of calm and

contentment. Both children and adults can enjoy the feeling of being in a

Sensory garden and it could be a special feature of the Community Garden

Facility to provide an easily accessible area where any member of the

community could come to sit, rest and enjoy being outside in a beautiful

setting. Those with dementia, suffering from stress or anxiety or on the Autistic

spectrum respond well to the gentle stimulation of a Sensory garden; which

provides an experience of nature in safe, contained environment.

To generate a calm environment it is important that a Sensory Garden on this

site has a good windbreak, I have suggested a good location on the map,

near the woodland and the public foot path. A circular design with raised

beds would create a pleasant seating area and the beds could include

herbs (for touch and taste), bamboos and tall grasses (for movement and

sound), pebble pond and small fountain (for sound), bulbs and long-lived

flowering plants could provide scent, texture and colour with climbing plants

and shrubs contributing to a range of sense-stimulation and giving a structure

to the garden.

Key plants for a sensory garden include:

Lavender, thyme, sage, rosemary, chives, mint, fennel

Strawberries

Tall grasses – Miscanthus and Panicum

Small grasses with fluffy seed heads – Stipa tenuissima, Pennisetum

Spring bulbs for colour and scent – snowdrops, daffodils, crocus, bluebells

Long-lived flowering plants: Sweet Rocket, Phlox, sweet peas, primroses,

Geranium macrorrhizum, Lilies, Oriental Poppy, Iris

Climbers - Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Clematis

Shrubs – Chinese Witch Hazel, Philadelphus, Lilac

Use hedging and ramped walls to give a sense of privacy and security.

Key landscaping features for a sensory garden include:

Good access and level paths with a hard surface (not gravel or woodchip)

Windbreak providing a sheltered seating area – chairs/benches with arm rests

Raised beds – a range of heights is needed to allow maximum access:

300mm – 600mm high for young children, 750mm high for wheelchair users,

1m high to allow for adults standing not to have to bend to touch plants (also

provide a toe hold for extra stability)

Paths 1200mm (4 foot) wide to allow for wheelchair and pedestrian passing.

Layout – allow adequate turning and resting places for wheelchairs.

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3. STRUCTURES

3.1 Undercover Growing Facility

The area allocated to this on the current plan is 70 sqm, which would provide

adequate space for groups to work under cover and store the seedlings and

plants they are growing. As mentioned in 1.2b) above, a polytunnel structure

would be preferable to a greenhouse as it avoids the possibility of broken

glass and small tears can be cheaply and easily repaired with tape. I would

recommend the following general specifications:

single span polytunnel at least 6400mm wide

working benches 900mm high for adults and 750mm high for young children

double doors at either end to allow for good access and air circulation

side ventilation netting with internal roll-down screens

1200mm wide, paved central path

staging to allow a large number of trays and pots to be stored

raised beds to maximise the growing season and reduce the need for digging

benches for plant storage and capillary matting

minimum of a 1000mm wide path around the outside of the polytunnel to

allow for maintenance. This path must be gravelled or paved to ensure that

weeds do not encroach on the undercover facility and sharp tools are not

used near to the polythene cover.

Irrigation should be planned into the structure with the following;

Standpipe with mains water for seedlings (clean water is crucial for seed

growing)

porous pipe in ground-level beds, raised beds and benches with capillary

matting

overhead sprinklers for staging/benches

manual hosepipes

3.2 Education building

The area currently allocated to this is approximately 10 sqm, which seems very

small if it is to be useful to groups. On the site there would be room for a

larger 10 x 7 metre building providing 70 square metres of space, which could

be allocated as follows;

7 x 7m – 49sqm for work space with benches, tables and a sink for hand

washing

7 x 3m - 21sqm for the storage of tools and materials and include hanging

racks for large tools and shelves/cupboards for smaller tools.

A larger building would also allow for water harvesting from the roof to be

directed to tanks for watering the allotment area – normal household water

barrels are unlikely to be sufficient. The increased roof area would also allow

for more solar panels on the south-facing side.

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3.2 a) Safe Storage

In order to make the building accessible and safe for a wide range of people

lockable cupboards must be provided for sharp tools and fertilisers or

chemicals (including oil and other lubricants). If any machinery is to be stored

in the building that must also be in a locked store, this includes electric drills as

well as larger equipment such as lawnmowers and strimmers etc. Any petrol

driven equipment must be kept well away from any source of sparks (either

naked flames or electrical switches or equipment) and securely locked away.

If petrol is to be stored on site it must be in a specialist locked cabinet (that

meets COSHH requirements) away from sources of fuel and outside buildings

regularly used by people. Ideally, only small quantities of fuel should be

stored near an educational facility and kept in safety cans that resist

explosion.

3.2 b) Working/education space

Benches could be fixed at waist height around the walls, with shelves

underneath for the storage of pots and trays etc. This would leave some

space in the centre of the space for moveable tables and stools or chairs.

Example of a work space with a mix of waist-high benches, with storage shelves underneath

and moveable tables.

The provision of electric sockets above the benches will allow for drills and

other equipment to be charged and also allow the use of heated

propagators to help seed germination.

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3.2 c) Provision of tools and equipment

If various groups are using the Community Education Building it would be cost

effective to have a central store of tools, materials and equipment that all

groups can use on their visits. A small charge could be made to each group

depending on the amount of visits they make and this fund could then be

used to replace and repair tools, equipment and materials.

Key tools

Digging spades and forks (for adults)

Border spades and forks (for children)

Hand trowels and Hand forks

Hoes

Rakes

Edging Irons

Secateurs

Loppers

Pruning saws

Key equipment

Wheelbarrows

Cleaning and lubricating equipment

Pots in a range of sizes 9cm diameter, 1 litre, 2 litre and 3 litre

Seed trays – full and half size and modular

Buckets

Watering cans

Watering hose with adjustable nozzle

Gloves in a range of sizes

Plant labels and permanent markers

Key Materials

Compost - for seed sowing

Well-rotted manure for raised beds and allotment area

Fertiliser – chicken manure pellets and seaweed feed

Sharp sand – for growing cuttings

Vermiculite – for seed sowing

3.2 d) Health and Safety

The follow would need to be provided to meet general health and safety

requirements

Fire Extinguisher and First Aid Box

Sink with mains water for hand washing

Good level of lighting to allow for precise tasks such as tool cleaning and

maintenance and seed sowing

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Heating should be provided if the building is used during cold weather (If a

wood burning stove is considered a safety grid must be installed around it. If

any petrol or petrol-driven machinery is to be stored in the building no

heating method with naked flames or electrical sparks can be allowed.)

3.3 Fencing

The land surrounding the area contains a range of wildlife including deer and

rabbits. Unfortunately these animals can destroy vegetable and fruit crops

very quickly. To avoid this a fence of at least 2400mm needs to be installed

around the growing area with chicken wire dug into the ground below it to a

depth of at least 300mm. Any gates also need to extend to ground level to

prevent rabbits from coming into the area.

4. LAYOUT OF THE COMMUNITY GARDENING AREA

The total land allocated to this area is approximately 900 square metres – just

less than quarter of an acre. Given that 300sqm could be given over to the

building, toilets, under cover area and Sensory Garden this would leave

600sqm for growing. This would provide plenty of space for several Primary

Schools and other groups to have some allocated land; such as well-being

clubs or activities for adults.

In my experience, allotments of the ‘traditional’ council size of 250 sqm are

frequently off-putting to beginner gardeners as the planning and

maintenance of such a large area can seem daunting, even overwhelming.

Children often respond well to having their ‘own’ plot – a manageable plot

would be 6sqm for a pair children visiting for weekly upkeep during the

growing season (Mid-March – Mid October). If a school was allocated 12 x 6

sqm plots (72 sqm) this would allow approximately 7 schools or groups/clubs

to have allocated growing space. Of course, groups could divide up their

space as they wish, but this allocation gives a realistic idea of the number of

groups that could be accommodated on site.

In addition to the open growing areas each group could also be allocated

space within the undercover growing area. At the suggested 70 sqm in size

this would give each of the 7 groups 10 sqm of space.

The ‘No dig’ method of growing would help to maintain the structure of the

soil and not disturb the new topsoil and expose the poor quality sub soil. This is

a simple and effective approach that requires existing soil is covered with

organic matter (compost, rotted manure, cardboard etc) over the

autumn/winter and then allowed to incorporate naturally into the soil

beneath through the action of worms and beetles etc. Vegetables plants

are grown directly into the organic matter in the spring and summer and the

patch is then mulched (covered) again each autumn/winter with at least

50mm of organic matter (compost or manure etc.) Beds/plots cultivated in

this way should be no more than 1200mm wide and not be trodden on (as

this destroys the structure of the soil). Access paths of at least 500mm can be

created by putting down thick cardboard or membrane.

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5. MANAGEMENT

Although the amount of land allocated to the Community Garden facility is

not large, there would need to be regular supervision and maintenance of

the site to

Co-ordinate group/clubs visits to the site

Ensure the education building is clean, safe and fit for purpose

Ensure the undercover growing area is maintained and watered as required

(daily watering may be required during hot weather and at least twice a

week during the growing season)

Order bulk supplies of manure, compost, pots, trays etc. and arranging for the

sharing of costs between users.

Organise community events and users’ meetings.

Find new users if groups withdrawn from using the facility.

Advise new groups on growing techniques and vegetable and fruit varieties

to choose.

Maintain any communal areas.

Check communal tools for damage and breakage and ensure that they are

maintained and replaced to meet health and safety requirements.

Ensure access and Health and Safety requirements for the site are met and

maintain a log of any incidents.

Ensure that the First Aid box is replenished.

Pennine Lancashire Community Farm manages a similar size of allotment plot

in Burnley, which is used by a variety of visitors including primary school

children and adults with learning disabilities and provides ‘Eco-Therapy’ for

anyone who could benefit from working outdoors with plants.

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6. FURTHER INFORMATION

Soil analysis website


Forest Schools

http://kindlingplayandtraining.co.uk/

http://www.forestschools.com/

Forest Gardens

Planting an edible forest garden (USA)

http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/plant-edible-forest-garden-

permaculture.aspx?PageId=1

http://edibleforestgardens.com/about_gardening

Salford Biosphere Project

http://biosphericproject.com/

Chemical Storage cabinets

http://www.firstsafetysigns.co.uk/chemical-storage-cabinets

Explosion safe petrol can

http://www.firstbrands.co.uk/rhino-fuel-cans.html

‘No Dig’ Method of vegetable gardening

http://www.charlesdowding.co.uk/

Pennine Lancashire Community Farm

http://www.penninelancashirecommunityfarm.org/


http://kindlingplayandtraining.co.uk/

http://www.forestschools.com/

http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/plant-edible-forest-garden-permaculture.aspx?PageId=1

http://www.motherearthnews.com/organic-gardening/plant-edible-forest-garden-permaculture.aspx?PageId=1

http://edibleforestgardens.com/about_gardening

http://biosphericproject.com/

http://www.firstsafetysigns.co.uk/chemical-storage-cabinets

http://www.firstbrands.co.uk/rhino-fuel-cans.html

http://www.charlesdowding.co.uk/

http://www.penninelancashirecommunityfarm.org/

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Sensory Garden –

seating and raised beds

Larger Education Building

– includes storage and

gives more space for

solar panels

Single Span Polytunnel with

central path inside

1000mm wide paved path

around polytunnel

Allotment area – to be

split into 7 group plots

Area for Forest Garden

or Forest School

Windbreak – planted to the West and

South of the area and down the centre

of the allotments – 3000mm high.

7. SUGGESTED ALTERATIONS TO THE LAYOUT OF THE COMMUNITY GARDEN

FACILITY

Social eating area

Page 16

Documents

BY SUE JEFFRIES PROFESSIONAL GARDEN ADVISER AND … · 2014-01-06 · SUE JEFFRIES PROFESSIONAL GARDEN ADVISER AND TRAINER FDSc, MBA, PGCE, QTLS SEPTEMBER 2013 . 2 ... a Forest Garden