August 2006 Newsletter
Welcome to Growing Matters first online newsletter!
SalesWell, we've had a very productive year so far at Growing Matters. Sales have been excellent throughout the Summer with virtually all our produce sold. Our low prices and the fact that over the past two years we've been using more environmentally friendly methods to grow our plants and produce has been very popular with our customers.Hanging Baskets did particularly well throughout the Spring to Summer period with many people placing orders.
We've had the addition this year of a new Tomato House. Apart from one or two problems with construction, this new facility is proving to be of great benefit. Meaning we can effectively increase the amount of tomatoes we have on sale. As regards to pest control within this greenhouse, we've introduced new methods to deal with this problem. One of which is spraying the plants with a nicotine type spray. It causes no damaging effects to the plants themselves, but has proved very effective in discouraging whitefly.About usAs well as operating as a garden centre we are also a horticultural therapy project providing voluntary work for people with mental health needs. We’re located at Lancaster & Morecambe College in Torrisholme, Morecambe, Lancashire. We’ve been operating at this site since February 2000 and the project has been going from strength to strength over the last few years.Growing Matters is based on two sites. The Main Site which is open to the public. This is where the craft shop, the greenhouses, the kitchen garden and a small courtyard sitting area are located. It was constructed on a former tennis court so there is no soil natural soil on this side. To get round this we have a number of raised beds around the site for extra greenery and vegetable for a few crops.
The rest of the fruit and veg is grown on the plot which is a separate site nearby. It consists of a main growing area where we grow things like potatoes, runner beans, peas, strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, black currents, red currents, rhubarb etc. The other half consists of sloped garden area with a small arbour at the highest point.If you need more information about us and directions to find Growing Matters then please visit our main website for details at: http://www.growingmatters.co.uk
New DevelopmentsThis year has also been a time of planning for the future. At the moment we're in the process of building a herb wheel on the plot. This should give us extra space to grow our herbs in the ground rather than in pots at the main site.We’re also well past the planning stage in regards to the development of a new Secret Garden at the Main Site. This will be located on the current courtyard area. It currently consists of a low walled courtyard with raised planting areas at the back. We considered this area to be in need of refurbishment as there isn’t really much two it at present.New plans consist of a new fountain in the centre, a raised pond with cascade, new seating areas and new beds & trellis for climbers round the perimeter to give it a greener feel and more sheltered feel. We also aim to provide new beds and plant sale areas outside the courtyard.This is all part of plans to do up the whole of the main site. The next stage will be concentrated on the main entrance and the kitchen garden. Plans are being drawn up for new sale areas, more beds to give it a greener look, new features and also the inclusion of a café area.Current SalesWe’ve got plenty of plants for sale including a good selection of houseplants in the main greenhouse, our ever popular selection of herbaceous perennials and bedding plants. There’s also a good amount of fresh veg available. Much of this is still growing in the Kitchen Garden so it’s a case of coming along and choosing what you want. You can’t buy veg any fresher than that!Do come along and look in our Country Craft Shop when you’re visiting. We have so much more on sale this year including pottery, hand made greeting cards, booklets, dried flowers, hand crafted plates, lavender bags plus much more!
Hope you will visit us soon!DJ at Growing Matters.
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