Gardening To Feel Good Groups Round Up - SPRING 2022
Our Gardening Groups Begin!
Spring time can be an exciting time for all of us and over here on site, it has meant that things have been getting really busy! As we welcomed our first round of Gardening to Feel Good groups this year, we all enjoyed being greeted by the dazzling display of tulips each session. We sowed seeds, potted up seedlings and watched as everything else around us started to burst into life. By the time the tulips had begun to draw their live source back into their bulbs, it was hard to find a single space in the greenhouse as it was bursting with seedlings, eager to get into the garden!
Of course, the weeds were also part of the race, and so we are never short of things to do! Giving us the opportunity to move our muscles and use the site as nature’s free gym, getting our daily workout by digging up the big roots of dock, nettles, brambles and thistles. Or gently potter, creating space and tidying up. Both incredibly satisfying activities with fast results!
As well as getting our hands in the soil, we have also been enjoying getting crafty with painting pots. Sharing ideas and techniques amongst each other, the women then planted up their unique designs with calendula, taking a little piece of the garden home (along with freshly picked bunches of tulips!). We also made a flower press and started filling it with gatherings from around the site. Something for future visitors to hopefully enjoy crafting with!
We have also been working on creating a quiet little corner at the bottom of the plot, a space to sit and enjoy the birdsong and peace of the site. The plans include a new seating area and a sensory walkthrough of aromatic herbs, vibrant colours and scented flowers.
With a couple of new structures, a beautiful new climbing arch and a permanent shelter, gone are the days of struggling with tent poles and gazebos on site! Though, of course, there are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the mud too!
There is such a variety of tasks and activities to engage with in nature and our groups hope to offer a chance to those who would like to reconnect with the outdoors and boost their mood somewhat. Whatever the weather, fuelled by tea and biscuits, it is a beautiful experience to hear women on site laughing and sharing skills, ideas, stories and tools amongst the flowers and birdsong!
If you are interested in joining our Gardening To Feel Good groups, or would like to refer someone to our sessions, please contact Cath on cath@bloomsheffield.com for more information. These groups run for 6 weeks at a time throughout the year. They are small groups and give us the opportunity to work together, meet new people and share skills. If you’re feeling a bit down, or anxious, and feel like some time outdoors doing something productive will make you feel good, come along! These groups are for everyone.