Thursday, 22 April Community Garden, Dublin's Barn

by Niall Fri Apr 22, 2005 23:42

Great work, I could do with you lot in my garden!!!

by Paul Baynes Sat Apr 23, 2005 19:25 Fairview

We had another productive evening in the Dolphin's Barn community
garden. Lots of interesting developments.

1. Initial contact with locals:
We have begun contact with the local community. Kevin and Lara called
around to several local houses, delivering eight letters. Many people
were not in or did not answer the door, but they spoke to two or three
people, getting mixed reactions. One elderly lady was not impressed
with the idea at all at first, but later she turned out to be very
helpful. She told us about the possibility of the main access route to
the garden being blocked off.

2. Visit from Gardaí:
Two Gardaí visited us as we were digging up the garden. They are based
in Kevin St. Garda Station and were responding to a call from a local
resident, who notified them that there were people over by the canal.
They were very pleasant and reasonable. I asked them at one point if
there was any difficulty with what we were doing, and they said that
there was no problem. I don't know what other people think, but I have
no issue with whoever called the Gardaí. They were obviously
concerned, and I think it's perfectly reasonable that they check that
we're not causing trouble or whatever. As it happened, it all worked
out very satisfactorily, and as a result, we now have a kind of
official imprimatur, as I see it!

3. Nature of our group:
It is now clear that the group is strengthening. There have been new
people present every night we have been at the garden. There also has
been a different dynamic, and a different core group present from one
night to the next. It is refreshing to see that the group is not
reliant on any one person or small group of people. We are becoming
more familiar and comfortable with each other also. It would be nice
to see some more women being involved, but things are looking good.

4. Gardening:
We dug up another row beside the potato bed. This involved pulling
aside lots of grass, turning over the soil, and creating a mound in
which to plant stuff. We also laid down carpet, cardboard and wooden
planks as 'mulch', to create a path between what we have planted and
to discourage the growth of weeds. (I think that's what we were doing
anyway; forgive my ignorance if I'm off the mark!). Last night we
planted: scallions, onions, garlic, thyme, rosemary, parsley, and some
forget-me-not seeds. Apparently, the wall overlooking what we have dug
up faces south. You could still feel the warmth on the wall as the sun
was going down. This wall will reflect sunlight onto the soil. This
should encourage growth. We would be able to use string to plant stuff
such as peas which would grow up along the wall, or so I'm told.

5. Food:
Stewart brought loads of lovely food, and even boiled a kettle and
made tea. We shared out bread, cake, and some tasty spreads. Our
thanks to Stu, feeder of the hungry, and to Blazing Salads.

6. Pitstop Ploughshares:
From the Dublin Catholic Worker came Ciaron and Damien, and they were
shown around the garden. They were very encouraging about the project.

7. Contacts:
Dunk called down and said that he met many supportive contacts through
the Convergence festival. I also spoke with somebody who is interested
in attempting something similar in the East Wall area of Dublin. Dunk
was in touch with somebody involved with the city council who is very
enthusiastic. This person is going to be in the area doing a community
garden and playground on Tuesday morning at 10 am, but I'll let Dunk
give us fuller details of this.

8. Indymedia night at Seodín's:
Also on Tuesday, in the evening, there will be a little indymedia
workshop. I believe this will include making a feature of the tree
walk and community garden.
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=69451#attachment10584

9. Convergence Earth Fair:
http://sustainable.ie/convergence/7/earthf.htm - this outdoor fair is
taking place in the Temple Bar area of Dublin on Saturday throughout
the day. Our spy Lara has infiltrated the event as a volunteer. There
should be loads of environmental punters hanging around on Saturday,
so if anyone has a chance to make up leaflets to give out, or to go
down there and set up some kind of stall, or to bring a soapbox to
stand on and spoof about the community garden, then go for it.

10. Mayors' conference:
Also on Saturday, the mayors of the four different administrative
divisions are coming together to discuss 'A Vision for Dublin', or
'Building a Fair Dublin', or some such. I believe Dunk will be there
and if anyone else is interested here's a link:
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=69353

11. Next meeting/gathering:
Obviously people can feel free to go ahead and garden independently.
As far as our next gathering goes, apart from the events above, it
looks like Thursday evenings are solidifying as a regular gathering.
So next Thursday at half six...

by redjade Fri Apr 29, 2005 16:31

Indy UK Feature:
The joy of seeds
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/oxford/2005/03/307646.html

which points to....

Seedy Sunday in Oxford

Seedy Sunday resently happend at the new Action Resoure center in the East Oxford Communerty Center. The idea was originally imported from Vancouver Island, Canada where Sharon Rempel of Saltspring Seeds started the idea of a Seedy Saturday. But of course, seed swapping is nothing new and there are many good reasons why people have been doing it for centuries all over the world.

A particular benefit of a local seed swap is that most of the seeds being swapped will be adapted to local conditions and will therefore be able to grow well. Further to this, the process of seed-swapping leading to the building up of local varieties of crops plays a vital role in the wider picture of preserving biodiversity.

more text and a short video report at...
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/oxford/2005/03/307646.html