Wednesday, 2 May 2018

Community Garden in National Garden Scheme 2018

Nightingale Community Garden in Dinas Powys is opening as part of the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) for the third year in a row, over the weekend of Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 July 2018. It will join four other Dinas Powys gardens this year, all accessible on a walking tour of the village.

For further details of gardens open in Dinas Powys visit the NGS website:
Nightingale Community Garden will be open from 11am to 5pm on the two days. There is a combined admission price for the six gardens of £5.00, with children free. The Community Garden will have volunteers and plot-holders around all weekend to answer questions. The garden openings raise money for the local charity, Dinas Powys Voluntary Concern.

From the 2018 NGS guide:
"6 years ago the gardens were created on an old derelict playground with funding from Tidy Town Wales. 27 Gardens were created including 2 raised beds for the physically handicapped. Many local residents, young and old, grow a variety of vegetables, fruit and flowers. In season excess is donated weekly to the local Food Bank. We share 3 Greenhouses, 2 sheds and a communal area for activities. "

 “Nightingale Community Garden, Sir Ivor Place, Dinas Powys, CF64 4QZ
How to find us: Along pathway between Sir Ivor Place & Nightingale Place. At T-lights on Cardiff Rd, turn R by school if driving from Barry, or L if driving from Cardiff/Penarth. Continue, then take 2nd R at Camm's Corner. You may park here.”

Timeline for Nightingale Community Garden, Dinas Powys, on this blog:

Jan 2012
The initial idea and looking for funding

Feb 2012
The involvement of Creative Rural Communities and the first plan for the site

Aug 2012

Oct 2012
Funding in place and residents are briefed on progress

Jan 2013
Work starts clearing the ground

Feb 2013
Building contractors on site.

March 2013
Topsoil is spread and the first garden visit occurs

April 2013
The plots are marked out and allocated, the first plants go in

June 2013
Photos of the garden flourishing in its first year

Sept 2013
The official opening of the community garden, with guests including Jane Hutt AM and Derek Brockway

May 2014
Progress report a year after opening – a highly productive local food growing area

July 2014
The Community Garden links up with the local food bank 

July 2015
One of the Community Garden’s youngest gardeners, Dan Tailby (age 6) who grew his first plants in the communal family plot in the garden, is a finalist in the 2015 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Young Gardener of the Year Awards

Feb 2016
Nightingale Community Garden joins the National Gardens Scheme for first time

Photo from NGS open day in Nightingale Community Garden in 2016