Incredible Aquagarden

28/03/2018

A fab final session with the Tod HS crew.
We got to work shifting 1600 litres of topsoil (!), using creative manoeuvres with planks and barrows. Filled the beds ready to plant the last of the IAG tomatoes, parsley and chillis. Started to tackle the mountain of woodchip. Endured spreading the stinky cow and chicken manure. Had a proper laugh together and managed to make a massive difference in a small amount of time. These students are creating a legacy for their school and I feel proud and delighted to have been able to play a small part in it.

21/03/2018

Another fab session with a small yet superb group of hardy gardeners. The ground is ready for w**d membrane and masses of wood-chip, the planters are ready for topsoil. We sledgehammered stakes, shifted thick clay soil, have planted fruit bushes outside and salad leaves in the greenhouse, nice and cosy. Team work extraordinaire, lots of humour and proper grafting (sledgehammers are heavy!!).
Next week is our last one before the Easter break and, sadly, my last one at Incredible AquaGarden. I have no doubt this bunch will go far under the guidance and passion of Jake Womack.

07/03/2018

Yesterday's session at Tod High School's steadily progressing, outdoor space... manure shovelling and hugel bed building. Layers of rotting wood, old logs, branches, wet leaves then a couple of sacks of chicken manure, some of our lovely soft coco soil, a layer of steaming horse manure topped off with more soil. Ready to be finished off and replicated in the other planters. We're getting there.

27/02/2018

Despite the world being closed down due to snow, our team is working on our last project! We're building raised beds for students at Tomorden High School, topping up the soil in their greenhouse and planting up some winter salads.

Many thanks to Sophie for donation of blackcurrant and jostaberry bushes, rhubarb, salad leaves and flowers.

Students started some sweet peas and we're donating some tomato plants, which are going to stay warm and cosy here until weather improves in few weeks.

It's going to be beautiful! :D 🌱🌷🌹🍅🌾🍀👌

26/02/2018

Come and join Alison at the free cooking session tomorrow at the Calderdale Royal Hospital!

14/02/2018

We are delighted to be finishing off on a high with an exciting and inspiring project in partnership with Todmorden High School, funded by the National Lottery and CFFC.

An enthusiastic and committed bunch of students of all ages, along with their brilliant teacher Jake Womack, are helping to transform an unused piece of land and a large greenhouse into a growing space over the next 6 weeks.
We are clearing, levelling, shovelling and shifting. Next we will be making planters and raised beds, moving 500l of compost to fill them and introducing worms to the mix.
The plan is to have a gorgeous, natural, wildlife area alongside edibles for the school to use, flowers as pollinators and a relaxing, seated space for the students to enjoy.

So, we need some help!
We are on the hunt for some donations.
If you can help, or know of anyone who can, please get in touch with Emma directly via this page or at [email protected]
Most needed are:
- woodchip (loads of it)
- manure (well rotted if possible)
- topsoil
- seedlings
- fruit trees and other low maintenance producers
- scaffolding planks
Any help to ensure this final project of ours is a roaring success will be hugely appreciated. Thanks.

31/01/2018

Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, Incredible AquaGarden has not been able to secure the funding necessary for us to continue project delivery into the next financial year.
This means that all staff contracts will finish at the end of February and our building will close.

We are committed to seeing our current projects through to completion, including our programme of workshops at the health centres and hospital site and the YSA workshops, which are scheduled to continue throughout February and March.

The official statement from the Board of Directors is as follows:

"The AquaGarden board is revisiting its operational model. Our commitment to the Incredible Edible ethos and the need to invest in a range of urban farming techniques remains as strong as ever and in the interim, our outreach team will oversee the conclusion of existing contracts."

We would like to thank all of the wonderful people who have supported us over the years, by enabling us to work with the people of Todmorden, Calderdale and beyond, to improve health, wellbeing and lives, through education, skills development and access to fresh local produce.

It has been an immensely rewarding and inspirational experience. Our growers will continue to share knowledge about plants, products and general gardening on a new page which will be announced soon. Watch this space!

25/01/2018

January is good time to get rid of juvenile perennial w**ds! Look at this teeny tiny dandelion.. Looks so innocent, yet, this long tap root will suck out a lot of the nutrients from your soil!

Make sure you get them out quick and as much root as you can - each broken off piece will regrow to a full size plant :/

25/01/2018

From one banana plant to many! Now we just need tropical weather!

18/01/2018

Next Thursday we'll host a workshop by Ruth Wild, who will demonstrate how to make your own sauerkraut! Bring cabbage and own jar and she will show you how to start a fermentation process and you can take your own makings home. Donations to cover the costs are welcome! 🍛

If like me you are overrun with cabbage at this time of year, Todmorden Food Assembly will demonstrate how to make it into superfood sauerkraut next Thursday evening at Incredible Aquagarden. Fermented food can improve your gut flora status - it’s easy, cheap and delicious.