This week our volunteers worked on tidying up the plots at TARAGGAN Educational Gardens & Nursery. The ground is very dry due to not having any rain recently so we concentrated on removing the bindweed, as this can be a real problem for other plants. Bindweed is a weed that can become a persistent problem in gardens; it can grow to form a large mass of foliage, choking garden plants, reducing their growth, or killing smaller plants entirely.
If you would like to volunteer with us we are at TARAGGAN every Tuesday from 10.30 until 12.30.

Yesterday morning at TARAGGAN Educational Gardens & Nursery, our volunteers planted potatoes and curly kale. Kale is a member of the cabbage family and comes in two forms: kale, which has smooth leaves, and curly kale, which has crinkly leaves. Both forms of kale are packed with iron and rich in vitamin C. If you would like to join us we are at TARAGGAN in Gilfach every Tuesday from 10.30 until 12.30.

Yesterday we visited Ynys Hywel Farm in Cwmfelinfach.  In partnership with the Parent Network the farm has opened an allotment for people to use from 12:00 – 2:00pm every Wednesday.  Thanks to Theresa Heal and team for showing us around this great project for the community.  If you would like to give a hand and learn how to grow and plant your own fruit, veg, and flowers, please contact the Parent Network. You might even get lucky like us and have the opportunity to bottle feed the lambs.

Yesterday our volunteers started work on a third plot at TARAGGAN Educational Gardens & Nursery. John showed Gethin, Rees, Sam and Morgan how to plant leeks, broccoli, and calabrese, which is another type of Broccoli. Our volunteers helped to cultivate the land using a hoe to break up the soil before sowing the seeds. The broccoli should be ready to harvest 55-85 days after seeding, and the leeks 120-150 days.

Thanks to Paula and Sarah for popping by to say hi and for having a go at weeding – it was lovely to see you. If you would like to volunteer with us we are at TARAGGAN Educational Gardens every Tuesday morning from 10.30 until 12.30.

Yesterday morning, Caerphilly People First volunteers Sam, Morgan, Amy and Rees worked on our new fruit plot at the TARAGGAN Educational Gardens & Nursery in Gilfach. The vegetable plot is starting to take shape and is looking much better now the weeds have been cleared, and the sun was shining, making it the perfect morning for working outdoors. The blackberries and blueberries our volunteers planted last week are also looking good. If you would like to volunteer with us at TARAGGAN, we are there every Tuesday morning from 10.30am onwards.

Today volunteers Sam, Gethin, Morgan, Rhys and Adrian began working on a second gardening plot we have obtained at TARAGGAN Educational Gardens & Nursery, which we will use to grow fruit. John showed us how to transplant the blackberries and blueberries from pots into the ground, and how to look after them. The other plot (the vegetable plot) is looking good after a bit of weeding, and so far we have planted broad beans, onions, potatoes, carrots, beetroot, blackberries, and blueberries. Well done everyone – you are doing a fantastic job.

At our most recent gardening session volunteers planted carrots, onions, and potatoes. Thank you, John, for all your advice and for teaching us how to plant the seeds and potatoes correctly. Our volunteers always look forward to working on our plots at TARAGGAN Educational Gardens & Nursery, and next week we will be planting green beans and zucchini in the greenhouse.

Working outdoors is great for your well-being and mental health. If you would like to volunteer with us, we visit the gardens every Tuesday from 10.30 until 12.30.

Finally, after weeks of rain, this week we had the perfect weather to work on our plots at TARAGGAN Educational Gardens & Nursery. Volunteers Sam Evans and Gethin Chamberlain planted mixed beetroot, which will grow into a mixture of colours – red, white gold, and the unusual pink ringed chioggia, giving a variety of flavours for salads.

Caerphilly People First Volunteers are at TARAGGAN every Tuesday morning from 10.30 until 12.30. Working outdoors is great for your well-being and mental health, so if you would like to join our gardening team, please get in touch.