The Story of Jacob and Jack’s Garden

Beside the caretaker’s office was a strip of empty land. It was sheltered, it was sunny, it was a great place to grow things, but all it was growing was grass. Clare and Mrs Taylor thought it would be a good spot to make a garden for Jacob and Jack, two of our most dedicated gardeners who come out every lunchtime to work in the gardens.

Jacob and Jack were keen to have their very own space, but before they started digging they had to think hard about what they needed do to make the garden work. They realised the soil here very is sandy and nothing would grow well in it if they left it the way it was. So they added some compost. Clare also mentioned that making a clay slurry would help to bind the sand – Clare will get some clay in a few weeks when it’s properly autumn and there’s more moisture in the ground and they will add it in then.

Jacob and Jack discussed with Clare which would be suitable plants to put into the garden at this time of the year, and talked about how wind, sun and rain will affect the different plants.

Finally, once all the planning and preparation was done, the carefully chosen seedlings were planted, with a protective layer of pea straw mulch added around them.

Watch this space to follow the progress of this brand new garden!

The grass dug up, edging added, and the compost going in.

Seedlings being planted and mulch being added.