Seaford Community Garden

Gardeners as a species are generally patient and stoical souls. We are used to frustration from the weather (too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry); the idiosyncrasies of plant growth (‘that plant was never meant to grow that big/ small’); the failure of some plants to respond to the perfect conditions into which we have planted them and then to totally ignore the nurturing we have given them. All of this is compounded by weeds, which continue to prosper and procreate and wilfully disregard our determination to thwart them.

• LAWN MOWING • HEDGE CUTTING • TREE SURGERY • LAWN RETURFING • POWER WASHING & GUTTERS • SOFT LANDSCAPING • CLEARANCE • WEED KILLING • GREEN WASTE REMOVAL

www.greenhavengardens.co.uk nathanpeters@greenhavengardens.co.uk @greenhavengardens @greenhavengardens And then our perennial optimism is dashed by news of another Lockdown. In reality, most of us know we shouldn’t be gardening at this time of year. The ground is so wet we risk destroying its structure by trampling on it and we know that no new plant will appreciate having its roots pressed into such inhospitable surroundings. It’s too cold to prune (fresh cuts need warmer conditions to heal rapidly and new growth will be unprotected by surrounding greenery), and it is much too dark and chilly for most seeds to germinate and seedlings to prosper – certainly in a polytunnel. So frankly, despite our desire to crack on and fulfil our persistent dream that this year our gardens will be better than last, gardening should not be on the agenda until spring truly is in the air. In truth, however, at Seaford Community Garden it is not just about gardening. It’s about sociability and support. It’s about comparing gardening notes and offering advice, it’s about sharing jokes over tea and cakes, and sometimes it’s about sharing sadness and anxieties – we know it’s sometimes easier to share emotions when your head is buried in the weeds and no one can see your face. And that is what we are missing as much as the gardening.

But in view of the new restrictions, for the foreseeable future, we can’t open the gates. Nonetheless, we will endeavour to put our best wellington boot forward, metaphorically if not in reality. We can clean the tools at home, Val and Brian can tidy the shed (again), we will plan the vegetable rotation and discuss new plantings over the phone and, if our collective memories are still functioning after so little stimulation, we will write new labels for the plants (again!). We have some new volunteers waiting to come and help, which is wonderful, and as soon as we are able, we will show them how good it can be at Seaford Community Garden, and at the same time welcome back all our other equally patient and stoical supporters. The Garden Team

Photos from top: Clematis cirrhossa brightens winter; Skeletal remains of a tree echium; Salvia in January.