Grounds and Gardens Group

From AshWiki

Grounds and Gardens Group is one of the ASH Co-op working groups a.k.a Sub-Committees. Like the other working groups, it is convened by the appropriate Officer/Co-ordinator - in this case, the Grounds and Gardens Officer. It has at least one representative in the Committee.

The group carries out Grounds and Gardens activities and reviews ASH Co-op Grounds and Gardens policies. As the other working groups, it can make recommendations to the General or Committee Meetings.

Contents 1 The Policy 2 List of activities 2.1 List of things anyone can do 2.2 Things that need doing 3 Projects and Ideas 4 Tools 5 Power Tools 6 The Shed 7 Current issues 7.1 Willow fencing workshop 7.2 Picnic tables 7.3 Tree surgery 7.4 Nick's climbing licence 7.5 Cherry picker 7.6 Bike shed 7.7 Wormery 7.8 Solar lights 7.9 Seeds and plants

The Policy

See the ASH Co-op website for details: http://www.ash.coop/law/gardens.php

Current members of the Ground and Gardens Group are Nick (3 Swann's), Rowan (2 Fletchers), Jaime (22 Arg), Julie (5 Swann's) and Steve (10 Arg).

Don't hesitate to contact any of these people if you want to get involved. They'll give you an update on what needs doing.

List of activities

List of things anyone can do

• Weeding
• Mowing the lawns
• Clearing up the vegetable patch
• Clearing up scrub land
• Watering plants (especially those in pots/baskets)
• Picking up rubbish
• Sweeping the paths and parking bays

Members are encouraged to contact Grounds and Gardens group for advice.

A list of all-year and seasonal gardens and grounds jobs is also displayed on the Co-op notice board. Just pick one that appeals to you and get involved! Gardening is great fun.

Things that need doing

The following things need to be dealt with. If you are interested, please talk to the Grounds and Gardens coordinators (Nick, 3 Swanns, and Rowan, 2 Fletchers).

• Summer House - The summer house still sits in bits in a condemned building on the other side of Argyle Street. We need people to help us retrieve it and other lost treasures... See Rowan or Steve for more details.

If we managed to get it all together, it would need to be treated, a space would need to be cleared and a base would have to be laid.

• Fire pit - The fire pit in Area A will be moved to accommodate a wild flower garden. Nick will be getting some stones for the new fire pit as well as the rockery.

• Wild flower garden in the back garden - Plotting and sowing supervised by Rowan.

• Rockery - Rowan will be building a rockery in the wild area for the frogs to sprawn in.

Projects and Ideas

Many different potential projects and ideas have been discussed. Below is a selection:

• Putting a lawn or shrubs in the corner of 6 Argyle. This would prevent littering and would make it look tidier.
• Co-op policy says that the houses are responsible maintaining the areas immediately in front and behind the house and keeping them in good condition. Every house/block of houses could have a designated gardens person, whose task would be making sure that those areas are kept in good condition (and delegating those jobs to other housemates).
• Herb pots - We currently have seeds for basil, parsley and coriander so feel free to make your own pots and place them around the coop. If you'd like to plant other types of herbs, don't hesitate to ask Rowan or Lauren.
• Painting bins with a Coop sign so that they don't get stolen.
• Extending the greenhouse.
• Extending the pond up to the wall.

Tools

The Co-op has some grounds and garden tools which members can use. They are kept in the shed.

• Rakes
• Brooms
• Garden forks
• Pitch fork
• Shovels
• Spades
• Hoe
• Sieves
• Large buckets
• Sprayer

The following are kept outside of the shed:

• Wheelbarrows
• Barbecues (Veg & Meat)
• Charcoal Grill

Power Tools

The Co-oop has some power tools that can be used in the gardens and grounds:

• Strimmer
• Hedge trimmer
• Blower
• Lawn mower

If a member wants to use them, they will need to talk to Nick (3 Sw) or Iain (1 Fl) first. Nick or Iain will give the member instructions on the proper use of the tools, maintenance, correct fuel mixtures etc. The tools are kept in the BBC van. A list of maintenance jobs that need to be done to the tools regularly will be displayed on the BBC van wall. Ask office, Nick or Iain for the key.

The Shed

In addition to the items specified under the heading "Tools", the items listed below are kept in the shed.

• Garden gloves
• Tarpaulin in different sizes
• Petanque set (garden game)
• Croquet set (garden game)
• Rope
• Glass jars (for tealights)
• Badminton Set

Current issues

The following issues have been discussed. In some cases, action is still to be taken.

Willow fencing workshop

A lovely willow fence was created recently in Area A. Thanks to all those who participated, it looks fantastic and if all goes well, it should be green and leafy this summer.

Picnic tables

We plan to buy 3 round picnic tables for each garden. This might have to be done in stages due to budget.

Tree surgery

A number of trees are infected with honey-fungus and bleeding canker and need to be removed. A tree surgeon has come and to do a survey (mid-february) in order to estimate the costs (300 quid). __This will be discussed at the next GM__).

Nick's climbing licence

The coop has agreed to pay for the renewal of Nick's climbing licence (date to be confirmed). This should enable us to save lots of money in the long term since we'll be able to ask Nick to carry out various tasks rather than commission an external organisation.

Cherry picker

We need to rent a cherry picker in order to clear up the walls of various houses before the new doors and windows are fitted. This involves getting rid of ivy and vines on a number of properties.

• 6 coop members are entitled to go on a training course in order to learn how to safely operate the cherry picker and therefore be covered by insurance.
• A few bird-houses will be placed on various houses whilst we have the cherry picker and unwanted arials .
• Small cloche-type green-houses will be built out of the old windows once these have been removed.

Bike shed

Various people pointed out that there is no bike rack for those living in the Argyle Street area and a number of bikes have already been stolen. A note will be circulated in order to establish a place and design for the new bike shed at the next GM. The bike shed will have a keypad lock and will be laid out on concrete floor. Any suggestions for the type of roof welcome.

Wormery

The wormery is doing well, although is overcrowded (which results the worms trying to escape). The wormery will be split in two, so the worms would have more space and be happier.The wormery produces liquid compost and fine compost perfect for seedlings.

Solar lights

Some solar power lights will be fitted to make the coop safer at night: one by the bike racks front of Swanns Terrace, one to light up the path running along the side 2 Fletchers Terrace, and one by the new bike shed (see item 2.) [ACT: Jaime to sort this out]

Update 05/03/07: Path lighting at the end of Flethers Terrace works now (not solar, but has got a light sensor).

Seeds and plants

Seed catalogue will be ordered. We will get some bulbs. The herb gardens will be put in order at some point. [ACT: Nick to talk to Lauren at the office and get the catalogue ordered]