First steps in Greening . . .

Nearby St Thomas' Road has substantial wildflower beds around some of its trees. They've been there for some years now . . .

Simple and easy to do, and a range of wildflowers thrive in this bed

This is a flower garden in the parking strip on the next road, Monsell Road

What do we think we might do in our road ? We had a first meeting yesterday, four of us showed up, with another few saying apologies. I think we've got ten or more residents who would like to commit to making our road look prettier, and to work towards a more neighbourly feel in our small road.

We might try and get a 'bike shed' to drop in the parking strip to keep tools and equipment in, for when we get seriously working on tree gardens and gro-bags in front gardens. They look like this

They make smaller ones, on the same principle, lockable and secure.

What do we think is important when we're just starting out ?

Keeping it simple, and focus on a few goals.

Find organisations that will help us with donations of seeds, soil, planters, tools and so on.

Don't try and do too much. Maybe work on one or two tree gardens, and a few front garden grow-bags. We can make it bigger later, as we get support from more of our neighbours in the future.

We need to get back to the Council with questions about the best way to install the edging for the tree gardens, so that we don't create a trip hazard for pedestrians and prams.

If we're going to organise geo-bags for front gardens we'll ned to identify who can have one in their tiny front garden, and equally important, who amongst us will do the planting and the weeding and the tidying and the watering throughout the season . . .

I said I'd write to DIY and garden centres, asking them for donations to start our project. Apparently some firms have a budget that can be used to help small groups like ourselves. Fingers crossed, then.

Obviously we have a few trowels and a rake and shovel and seeds and a few old plant pots between us. It will be quite exciting to see where this project goes.

This weekend has been far too cold to do any gardening, but I did get out and look very seriously at what we've got in our grey street, I have visions of flowers now dancing in my head, all up and down the road, nodding in the summer breezes . . .

Your comments are much appreciated. I am going to do as I've done before, type up a little note for all the front doors on the street, so that all of our neighbours know what we've done and what we plan to do.  I'll tell them about this new dedicated blog, although in our area only about half of us have easy access it the Internet, or know how to find stuff on it.
Post-blog writing note - all those notes have been posted through everyone's individual letter-box by end of day today ! Well done me  . . .

I'm up next to Pizzadelique if you want to drop me a note, or alternatively leave a comment on this blog, or e-mail me. When we get more organised perhaps other residents will volunteer their services as blog-writer too.

If you know of other street greening projects please let us know. It's always good to find out how other groups are overcoming the same difficulties as we'll find as we get started.

We'll post as we have more developments. Have a good week.

OUR NEXT STREET GREENING MEETING IS ON SATURDAY 19 MARCH, 11:00 am AT PIZZADELIQUE, IN OUR ROAD. 

IT'S A FOOTBALL DAY FOR ARSENAL (an extra 60,000 fans show up on match days, although they don't all go to Pizzadelique before the match) , BUT THANK GOODNESS IT'S AN AWAY MATCH AT EVERTON ON THAT DAY. 

SEE YOU THERE . . . .

Regards from Jeremy, Flis, Kathleen and myself, Franc.