Churchyard Update (7/9)

By Tim Hewitt, St Mary’s Head Gardener/ Community Gardner

While the new gravel bed has been widely (but not universally) admired, this week sees the arrival of a similar quantity of sand. This will be the top layer and will wash into the gaps in the gravel over time. As soon as this is down, we will start the planting process. If you are a visitor this week and fancy moving a barrow of sand, please do. There will be a barrow and shovel here all week!

Less rain and waning light means less growth, which is great, as there are large areas of the churchyards which need attention. It is time to strim down grass and weeds in some areas and tackle monuments which are starting to get overgrown. Low hanging tree branches will be removed.

Lower light is very complementary to brighter coloured flowers, like the Crocosmia, Dahlia and Persicaria. Japanese anemones are looking very fresh now too.

Quote of the Week

“Nobody can design a more satisfying garden for you than the one that you think out for yourself. It could take years, but in the doing of it, you should be in paradise.” -Mary Kean

Upcoming Workshops at St Mary’s
 
I am planning a series of two-hour paid workshops, bookable on Eventbrite, costing £35. There will be 10 spaces for each workshop. While many of our offerings will be free over the next several years as part of our National Lottery-funded ‘Creative Church’ regeneration project and activities, these will not be part of my Lottery-funded sessions, but might be of interest to the congregation and local community. They will all take place in the churchyards and the St Mary’s Welcome Centre.
 
Paid workshops confirmed so far:
  • Container and Window Box Planting: 16 October from 10.30am-12.30pm
  • Low-Maintenance Gardening: 6 November from 10.30am-12.30pm
  •  Bulb Planting: 20 November from 10.30am-12.30pm
  •  Rose Pruning & Care: 8 January 2022 from 10.30am-12.30pm

Volunteer Times

St Mary’s offers weekly supervised volunteering in the churchyard at these times:

Tuesdays: 1pm to 3.30pm
Wednesdays: 9am to 12pm
Thursdays: 1pm to 4pm
Fridays: 1pm to 4pm

There’s no need to book; just turn up, preferably with your own gloves. Tools and expert instruction will be provided!

Burials in Bloom 2021-22 

Dozens of local people have adopted a grave to plant around and care for; if you would like to adopt a grave that’s currently not visited or looked after, contact me at tim@stmaryswalthamstow.org.