Community gardening

One of the gardening trends predicted to continue growing in popularity this year is that of community gardening. This is essentially when a group of people - friends, neighbours etc - get together to improve their local urban space through gardening. This could be a communal residential area, a school or larger public space. If the latter, do bear in mind that you may need to get permission from your local Council - unless of course you fancy a bit of guerrilla gardening that is.

It can be a great way to connect with nature, as well as get to know your neighbours - all the while creating something of beauty in an unkempt or unloved area. Think wildflowers on roundabouts, a perennial meadow on wasteland or simply brightening up an otherwise boring bit of land.

Below are some images of a local project we had the pleasure to be involved in. This was a large raised bed covered in ivy and not much else. A large tree meant the ground below was in very dry shade. By choosing plants that would be happy in these conditions - and ones that would readily self-seed - we were able to transform the space into a garden that would deliver interest throughout the seasons, as well as be attractive to wildlife.

Located just off the busy Chiswick High Road in west London, the project was spearheaded by local cafe and bakery owners, Outsider Tart www.outsidertart.com, who wanted to create a more scenic vista for the locals and passersby. The below pics were taken the day of planting and since then a range of spring and summer flowering bulbs have been planted to extend the seasons.