Good to Grow 2022

Each year we join community gardens across London and nationwide by joining in Capital Growth’s annual Good to Grow celebration. The aim of this event is to kickstart the growing season, so what better way to do this than with a seed sowing and sharing event?  And for this year’s BBA Good to Grow event we were thrilled to be joined by staff and pupils from nearby Heathbrook Primary School.

Let’s get sowing

Earlier in the week,  year 5 pupils had packaged up  a wonderful variety of seeds saved from their garden to share.

Heathbrook’s saved seeds

We had lots of our own seeds to share including squash, sunflowers an our all-time favourite peashoots from a bag of supermarket marrowfat peas. Perfect for people without gardens to grow indoors on their windowsills. Easy to grow and very tasty!

Mm, how many peas?

We didn’t only share seeds, we also shared seed sowing knowledge. We chatted with our regular gardeners and visitors about the best time of year to put their soon-to-come seedlings outside. Generally, mid to late May when the days and nights are warmer. Or how deep to put a seed in a pot. Such as courgettes, best planted on their side to avoid the risk of them rotting.

The children from Heathrook had lots of knowledge to share about what they’d been growing in the school’s beds and wildlife garden – and how they’d collected their seeds.

A fantastic morning was had by all and some of our regular members were spoilt for choice when presented with the selection of seeds on offer.

Sharing seeds and knowledge

We’re looking forward to seeing our sown seeds germinate over the coming weeks and some gardening updates on Twitter from @HeathbrookPrimary.

Meanwhile, we were delighted with feedback about the event received from Heathbrook pupils, Olivia and Mohamed, who said:  ‘Bandstand Beds is a great opportunity to spend time in a garden and to learn about the outdoors. You will have a great time there gardening and meeting new people. We enjoyed gardening and spending time outdoors.  We will rate it 5 out of 5 stars and 2 thumbs up.’

Praise indeed from these 5-star gardeners!

Written by David Dandridge and Daisy Everingham. Photos by Heathbrook Primary School and David Dandrige.

For more information about taking part at Bandstand Beds click on this link to our website, email ccbandstandbeds@gmail.com or stop by our produce table on Saturdays between 10am and midday to chat to one of our members.