How refreshing, we now have four very smart well stocked and mulched shrub beds in Kings Norton Park.
Thank you to everyone who did something to make it happen; our members, the City Parks Department (especially Sue Amey), our Rangers, BOSFA, Kings Heath Park gardeners, members of Kings Norton Nature Reserve, The Fields Millenium Green Trust, Kings Norton History Society, the Street Champions, the graffiti team, Kings Norton Nursery children, Fairway Centre users and local police.
Monday 7th March, threatened frost again but thankfully turned into a warm spring like day. There was a buzz of excitement as the plants arrived and were laid according to the design plan - gentle sways of sustainable all year colour. As the pots were laid out the graffiti team were busy giving the benches a lick of smart black paint. Once the floral shape was drawn we watched a demonstration on how the experts plants and the armed with spades everyone set to it. We working from the top central bed to the crescent boarder bed, culminating in a central silver birch which delightfully contrasted against the bronze beech hedges. We progressed much quicker than imagined so within 3 hours were able to admire the results of our labour and retire to The Camp for a welcoming buffet.
The following week’s weather brought warmth, light and rain, which helped establish our shrubs. The sun was shinning brightly on Sunday 13th March as local residents returned to mulch the planted beds with shavings from last years recycled Christmas trees. A good 2 inches cover, said to be sufficient to retain moisture and prevent unwanted weeds, was shovelled, barrowed, raked and spread over the surface whilst other volunteers picked up glass, dog droppings and litter which blighted the hedgerows. We were completed by 2 pm, It was very rewarding as the area now looks good enough to sit and relax in!
Thank you to everyone involved for your company, effort, tools and time. We hope you will join us in helping to care for our plants. We also aim to facilitate fun and educational activities and invite your ideas and contribution in to our park. Contact us at Info.foknp@gmail.com follow us at http://friendsofkingsnortonpark.blogspot.com/
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The Planning Begins The first plants are laid out |
The hard work starts
We've already finished our job! (Painting the benches)
Well done chaps!
It's starting to take shape!
Hello, hello, hello!
A great view of our A(handy) work!
Friends of Kings Norton Park get stuck in!
A last, some refreshments!
Looking Good eh!
Where's that missing Begonia gone?
Take your pick!
Our Chair, Lynn, ahh!
Everyone getting stuck in!
Say Cheese!
A finished bed
Finished at last! All this planting was driving me potty!
