Hot to Cold at Greenway: Community Garden Update
30/09/2025
Time has flown by, and Greenway Community Garden is already six months old! With the summer’s heatwaves behind us, we are now thinking about the colder and darker months. In September, we were delighted to be part of Bristol’s Get Growing Trail. It was Southmead’s first time on the trail map, and we spent a joyous day in the sunshine planting daffodil, tulip, grape hyacinths, and allium bulbs, chatting to visitors, litter picking, and drinking the essential cups of tea! We are now excited about seeing the bulbs blooming in late Winter and early Spring.
As we know, gardens do not stop in the Autumn. Growing spaces might lose some of their summer vibrancy as flowers die back, stems dry out, and there is less to harvest. But this is still an important phase for a garden. Insects find winter homes in hollow stalks and nooks in wooden structures. Perennial plants rest and protect themselves from harsh weather before returning strong and bright in the Spring. Spring flowering bulbs can be planted now so they flower in late winter and early spring, providing the first food for pollinators. There is actually a constant hive of activity in all seasons and weathers.
You might have walked past the raised beds, built by Southmead Men’s Space, in the Greenway Community Garden, and thought that some of the browning stalks and flower heads are unsightly. But it is all part of a grand plan to encourage wildlife to feel at home and be right where we need them for a full and thriving ecosystem next year!
Our small but mighty garden goes from strength to strength creating a growing space and an abundance of flowers and critters, despite the very hot summer. Now, we need to build on this energy and focus on looking after it.
Come and help us – you do not need to be an expert. But if you do have a bit of knowledge we would love to learn from you. We gather for a monthly Community Garden Group on the third Wednesday of each month, for all dates click HERE
Contact me if you would like more info about volunteering to help out and/or coming to our monthly group.
Email: ellatainton@southmead.org, or call: 0117 950 3335.
Read more about volunteering with us HERE
Find out What’s On weekly, and about any special events HERE