Sowing the seeds at Nowton Park

A representative from our Growing Well group joined other floral enthusiasts at Nowton Park for the launch of 'Britain in Bloom' this week.

Thousands of wild seeds were sent to groups across the country to plant. The idea is that the seeds will be sown to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

In Bury St Edmunds a mix of corn poppy, corn marigold, corn chamomile, corn cockle and cornflower were sown over a designated area at Nowton Park.

The colourful flowers are hoping to attract plenty of wildlife including bees and butterflies.

Julia Rackowe, the campaign manager for Bury in Bloom said, "What a lovely way for us to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee as well as the exciting 'in bloom' season for Bury."

I am sure I can speak for us all when I say I can't wait to see the outcome. 

Judging day ideas...

The judging date is soon approaching for Bury In Bloom. 


In order to impress the judges here are some thoughts a few of us have been thinking about...

* A plant pot in every garden...

One idea has been to get all of the children in Well Street involved. Along with adult assistance it would be lovely if we could have one very inexpensive plant pot in every garden.

* A growing well flag...

As we have worked so hard to put our group together we could make a small flag to go into each garden pot (above)

* The bridal shop...

This one is a bit of a surprise!

If anyone has any further ideas please post them!

Getting hands on

Reminder - come along to the Old School Hall this weekend (14-15 April) and help to clear weeds, plant up a pot or two and celebrate the start of National Gardening Week.

Please bring tools and gloves if you have them.

If we have time, we might have a go at clearing some rubbish and weeds from around the back of Cornhill Walk too.

Weather's looking good, see you there!

Bury In Bloom launch

Several of the Growing Well team were at the Bury In Bloom launch this evening, at Bury's beautiful Unitarian Meeting House.  Stephanie Eynon from the RHS spoke about their Community Gardening programme which covers the "In Bloom" movement and the "It's Your Neighbourhood" scheme.

There were useful reminders about the core values of IYN - community participation, environmental responsibility and gardening achievement - and about using the RHS website to access all sorts of useful resources such as their plant selector and plants for pollinators.  Of particular interest at the moment is gardening in a drought.

Thank you to Julia Rackowe for the invitations!