Had an excellent day out visiting local gardens, allotments and community spaces taking part in ‘The 3rd Burnage and Levenshulme Open Gardens’. This occured on the 7th of June and was blessed with a sunny day. Ciara (my partner) and I cycled round to visit 6 of the gardens available on the day, we have recently moved to the area so it was also an opportunity to see areas of Levenshulme and Burnage not known to us.
The day seemed very well attended with numerous people turning up and leaving while we were at the various venues. We also spotted lots of people walking around with the maps in their hands looking for the next garden. As well as providing the chance to create and strengthen connections within the community the day also raised money for two charities; Burnage/Levenshulme Good Neighbours and Freedom From Torture.
Programme – cost £5 and allowed entry into all gardens.
The first space was Levenshulme Green Orchard (no.19 on map) Crayfield Rd, which is on the Fallowfield loop. It contained apple, pear, plum and cherry trees and was planted by Friends of the Fallowfield Loop (FOFL) in 2012; a FOFL member was there to provide information.
Levenshulme Green Orchard
The next garden visited was on Griffin grove (no15 on map),which had lots of potted plants.
Griffin Grove
We then cycled to Acorn Close Allotments (no.11 on map), who had lots of nice food and drink available for visitors. Met Pauline who gave us a guided tour of the allotments, seeds, bee house and plenty of gardening tips.
Hospitality tent
Ciara talking to Pauline
Acorn Close Allotments
The visit to Acorn Close made me pine for my allotment (Brighton Grove) so we cycled round there. We than headed onto Sylvandale Avenue (no.27 on the map) where there was a lovely garden and a well attended bird table.
Bird Table
Sylvandale Avenue
We then went to Limefield Terrace (no. 28 on map) which had a woodland style garden with shade loving plants and lot of cool chickens.
Limefield Terrace
And then it was on to the final garden visit of the day at Derby Grove (no.22 on map). This garden had a Japanese feel to it and was the combination of two back yards knocked into one. It also had a very cool shed built by the owner, which had photos of his recent ancestors lining the walls.
Myself in cool shed
Ciara in cool shed.
Derby Grove
And then back home just round the corner in Wetherall Street. Inspired by the days gardens, and Ciara’s suggestions, I constructed a raised bed from a gate I aquired from a skip across the road a few weeks ago, everyones a winner 🙂
Raised bed constructed with old gate. Plants by Ciara
Cycling Scientist 