Sunshine and some welcome rain have brought the new plants and heritage fruit trees back to life with a spurt of growth to match the energy and enthusiasm of the amazing garden volunteers. Last summer we began clearing the weeds and broken glass from the 1920’s central glasshouse. A short film below from In My Presence artists collective made in 2017, capturing the midsummer work tending to the deep soil of the garden and the beginning of its transformation.
Over the winter and early spring of 2018 we continued clearing the invading scrub and tree saplings from about 3/4 of the fertile North Terrace. Creating space and light for community aspirations such as the community orchard and kitchen garden now being planted.
Still loads of work to be done to contain some of the perennial weeds over the summer before they flower and set seed. Thistles and willowherb mainly with the odd patch of deadly hemlock still in the orchard, now being turned into compost in our newly installed black boxes thanks to the Centipede Project’s recycling.
Upcoming events in July
Volunteer mini-sessions set to continue twice weekly throughout July, Sun and Weds from 11-1pm at the garden.
Open Door Tours of the secret garden – Saturday 7th July, noon until 2ish. No need to book, just visit and enjoy the atmosphere.
Hidden Gems Walk – Thursday 12th July starting at 7pm with Pilton Community Health Project
Edinburgh Shoreline Exhibition – Friends Group story of Granton’s secret medieval garden opens alongside other community creations at the John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Running from the 28th July until 23rd September as part of the Edinburgh Shoreline Project. Find out more about the near miraculous survival story of a forgotten walled garden on Granton’s shore; now remembered and cherished thanks to the Smith’s, Written in Film and many more local residents getting involved.
John Smith was correct when he said we are in for ‘a lot of hard graft’, but many hands make the work lighter and it’s very satisfying to see the results. Huge thankyou to all those giving their time and energy.
“There is still so much left to save in this sleeping beauty garden”