News

February is an exciting time in the garden for bird watchers. Our feathered friends are busy nesting and mating, and now is the best time to spot them, before the trees come into leaf.

Each year we run at least three citizen science research projects to further organic growing knowledge.

For the past year seventeen enthusiastic volunteers from across the Three Counties (Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire) have been enjoying an Orchard Champions course. In return for five days free training they have been helping us to promote traditional orchards and local varieties.

This year the Young Horticulturist of the Year competition returns to its roots for the 27th annual competition final. The Grand Final is to be held on May 6th at the University Centre Shrewsbury.

Green-fingered residents at Westfields Care Home in Swaffham are growing fresh produce for the table, and colourful plants for communal areas, thanks to advice and support from Breckland Growing Buddy Linda Penney who visits the Home every week.

We are delighted to announce the launch of a new project - Thyme To Be. This is the latest in a number of social and therapeutic horticulture projects from the Warwickshire charity.

We are currently recruiting more volunteers to join its two-year project in the borough of Southwark, working with people at risk of food poverty.

Close your eyes and think of summer. Bees buzzing, warm sun, the garden at its most verdant. Pears, apples and cherries hanging on the bough, their juices waiting for that taste explosion in your mouth.

In the first week in January, Oxford becomes the hub for farming folk to gather. The Oxford Farming conference is where agriculture and business rub shoulders, with the NFU, politicians and businessmen debating profits and outputs.

Organic growing can be a fantastic and rewarding pastime - as well as producing lovely flowers and food it can help you relax, take stock and escape the pressures of daily life.