Join Growing Hollingdean volunteers for some family friendly fun! Be part of the brand new Forest Garden in Hollingdean Park Community Orchard. A place we can garden together, forage, and learn how to safely and kindly harvest the free food in the Forest Garden.
Register now for Sunday 15th February, Monday 16th February and / or Friday 20th February 2026, 10am – 4pm.
Growing Hollingdean in partnership with Brighton & Hove Food Partnership is inviting you to join us during February half-term outside Hollingdean Park and Family Hub to learn and care for the park’s Forest Garden. There will be practical planting activities and learning about food forests, as well as planting trees, shrubs and plants.
Enjoy Planting in the Forest Gardening Together
Children are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult, we will be outside so please bring warm clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Tools provided.
Refreshments are available during the day at Brightlite Cafe in the Family Hub on Sunday and Friday. Monday’s lunch is served by Anna, our Community Chef, from her camp kitchen in the Forest Garden. Sign up for each event via the ‘Register Now’ button;
Please only register adults attending. There is a question on how many children may accompany you in the registration process.
You will have to register separately for each event day.
Any other questions please email rob@bhfood.org.uk or call 01273234810 quoting the ‘Get Growing in Hollingdean’ events.
We meet at Growing Hollingdean shed on the corner of Brentwood Road and Lynchet Close at 10am. We wait 10 minutes before going on to our location within the estate. One of our Growing Hollingdean volunteers will talk through the mornings plan, give out equipment, including some Health & Safety tips. It’s free fitness, a chance to make new friends, and we always have a good laugh along the way. We look forward to seeing you, rain or shine.
Tree guardians seen in Merevale on Sunday 3rd January 2026
Eight volunteer tree guardians met on first Sunday of the year, a beautiful sunny and very cold morning. With lots of laughter and chatter about the festive holidays, we collected tools from the shed and set off down Stephens Road. The apple first tree we pruned together to remind ourselves the basic rules of pruning. Starting with the three D’s, to cut out Dead, Diseased, or Damaged branches first. Also removing any branches rubbing together to avoid future disease entering the tree.
Volunteers pruning together to make decisions
Pruning together, watching and listening to one another, is a deeply relaxing experience. There is no rush when caring for our trees. In the two hours we spent together, seven trees were pruned for the first time in a long while. Three apple trees (numbers 192, 193, and 194) and two pear trees (195 and 196) near Merivale Community Garden were carefully tended. Apple trees 189 and 190 at the bottom of Merivale Green also received a prune.
All of these trees are looking very healthy. Visit our Tree Map to find the fruit and nut trees nearest to you. If you notice a damaged tree on the map, please let us know and we’ll do our best to help.
Patte de Loup literally, Wolf’s Paw with a brownish yellow skin that often cracks and scars as if a wolf had clawed. An heirloom variety of apple that is grown in the Northwest of France from the Middle Age. Known for their flavour and cooking and chutneys. The fresh apples will keep 1-4 months when properly stored in a cool, dry, and dark place. More information here.
193 Apple Tree: Pomme de Juillet
Pomme de Juillet ia native to the Hautes Cévennes d’Ardèche, the Pomme de Fer apple tree is a hardy French variety, renowned for its resilience in the face of extreme weather conditions. A sweet and slightly tangy flavour, ideal for lovers of crisp apples with a white, slightly tinged with red under the skin. Native to the Hautes Cévennes d’Ardèche, the Pomme de Fer apple tree is a hardy French variety, renowned for its resilience in the face of extreme weather conditions. sweet and slightly tangy flavor, ideal for lovers of crisp apples. More information here.
194 Apple Tree: Bon Père Cooker
Bon pèreis an old variety recognised and appreciated as a sweet and tangy cooking apple. It produces an ovate, medium to large applethat is irregular and slightly elongated with a waxy, yellow-green skin tinged with salmon pink when exposed to sunlight. More information here.
195 Pear Tree: Epine d Hiver
Epine d Hiver is an ancient French cultivar, possibly from the Limousin region. Smooth green to yellow-green, often with a pink flush as it ripens or cooks. Primarily a cooking pear for desserts, pastries, and drying, rather than fresh eating.
194 Apple Tree: Bon Pere
Bon Père (good father) is a cooking apple tree, produces large, bell-shaped pears with a smooth, white or creamy flesh. The skin is typically green, turning a rich golden-yellow as it ripens, sometimes with a red flush on the sun-exposed side. Fruit ready for picking from late August to mid-September. The fruit has a characteristic musky aroma and is very sweet and juicy. It is excellent for eating fresh, poaching, preserving, or canning.
196 Pear Tree: General Leclerc
General Leclerc pear tree produces very large, juicy, sweet-tart pears with fine, melting flesh and honey-brown skin, named after the French general, popular for fresh eating and cooking, requiring cross-pollination for best yield but known for robust growth and good disease resistance, ripening in autumn.
190 Apple Tree: Claygate Pearmain
Claygate Pearmain Apple tree is a classic English heritage apple, discovered in a hedge at Claygate, Surrey, in the 1820s, known for its sweet, nutty, aromatic flavour, juicy texture, and russeted skin, making it a popular Victorian dessert apple that stores well and is resistant to scab, thriving in small gardens.
189 Apple Tree: Ashmeads Kernel
Ashmead’s Kernel apple tree is a highly-prized, old English heritage russet apple, famous for its complex, rich flavour reminiscent of pear drops and citrus, making it excellent for eating, juicing, and cider, despite its less-than-perfect looks. This late-season variety has firm, crisp flesh, good disease resistance, and stores well, though trees can be inconsistent croppers, requiring a pollinator.
188 Apple Tree: Amoriaque
Amoriaque is a traditional French dessert apple cultivar. It is often sought for its historic value.
Tree Guardian Mornings, first Sunday of the month, 10am to 12pm!
Sunday 18th January 10-12 at the Hollingdean Community Orchard, Hollingdean Park
Meet at 10am at our colourful shed on Lynchet Close or join us later in the Community Orchard. Bring suitable warm clothes. Tools will all be supplied. Children can join in with a responsible adult.
Our main community orchard is growing into a Forest Garden with multiple layers of food crops. This month we could be pruning the Apple and Pear trees, mulching with wood chip and weeding around some of the shrub and perennial plants. Something for everyone to do, whatever your experience and interest. And everyone is welcome. Come and join our friendly team for gardening, chat, hot tea and snacks.
Forest Gardening Volunteers December 2025
BeforeAfter
Thank you to Growing Hollindean volunteers who attended on 7th December 2025
We weeded and mulched some of the fruit trees, fruit bushes and perennials in the park, and also inspected the new water capture facility and volunteer’s benches. Big thanks to Stephan of the Permaculture Trust who built it for us- and for including comfy benches for volunteers and visitors to rest up- with a good view! This summer we should be able to keep the Forest Garden watered with rainwater captured during the winter months and top up the pond if it needs more water too. All goes towards good crops and happy pondlife.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Join us on 4th January 2026, 10am at Lynchet Close shed
Tree guardian volunteers meet at 10am on Sunday 4th January 2026 at the Lynchet Close Shed. We will collect tools and gloves before adventuring out into Hollingdean estate to garden around some fruit and nut trees. RAIN or SHINE! Wear suitable clothing, bring a drink and a smile. Join us to help nature and the biodiversity in Hollingdean.
Tree Guardians seen pruning Apple trees on 7th December 2025
It was a mild and very wet day on the 7th December 2025 when four of our Tree Guardians put on their best waterproofs and set about pruning seven apple tree’s, numbers 251 to 257. Located behind the flats on Horton Road, this lovely green space is used by the residence.
There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing! “It’s so satisfying when you get it right.” says one of our happy Tree Guardians.
Before pruning and weeding, Apple Tree 265After pruning and weeding, Apple Tree 265
A great selection of apple trees found here
Pitmaston Pine – A quite different and distinctive apple. Small golden yellow apples, oblong conical in shape covered with a fine russet. Sweet yet sharp.
Crawley Beauty– Excellent dual-purpose variety, found in a garden in Tilgate, Crawley in Sussex in about 1870. Use as a cooking apple early season, producing a light well-flavoured puree, but matures to make an excellent Christmas eating apple. Heavy reliable crops on spreading growth, this hardy variety can flower as late as June.
Bloody Ploughman – Thisapple tree is a vigorous, historic Scottish variety known for its distinctive deep crimson-red, ribbed apples which often feature pink-stained flesh. The fruit has a sweet, crisp, and juicy flavour with light, tangy notes.
Golden Bounty – Golden Bounty is a Sussex-originated, mid-season eating apple (Malus domestica) resulting from a cross between Cox’s Orange Pippin and Early Victoria. It is known as a reliable, heavy-cropping variety that produces sweet, crisp, golden-yellow fruits.
The Hollingdean Community Forest Garden, originally known as Hollingdean Orchard, was first planted in 2009 and has continued to grow and develop ever since. It is a much-loved green space used by local residents, families, and volunteers — a place to learn, relax, and connect with nature.
Donate to the New Hollingdean Community Forest Garden Bench
Many years ago, a bench was kindly donated and placed in the forest garden. It became a well-used spot for people to rest, enjoy the space, and meet others. Sadly, this summer we experienced ongoing problems, including young trees being snapped, small fires being lit, and our much-loved bench being damaged beyond repair.
We are now raising funds to replace it with a recycled plastic bench in the same style, but far more durable and long-lasting. This type of bench is weather-resistant, vandal-resistant, and environmentally friendly — making it a much better fit for a community forest garden.
Every donation helps, no matter how small!
Your support will help us restore a welcoming, safe space for everyone to enjoy and protect this special community garden for the future. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a real difference.Thank you for supporting Growing Hollingdean
Growing Hollingdean volunteers admiring the Sharon Fruit Tree number 122 on our map
Get your boots on and join the volunteer Forest Gardeners on Sunday 21 December 2025, 10am-12pm in Hollingdean Park. We meet at the Lynchet Shed at 10am and wander up through Hollingdean Park to the Community Orchard and Forest Garden. Tools, gloves, refreshments and friendly support make this a lovely monthly gathering all round the year. Something for everyone to do. Children can join in too with a responsible adult.
Visit our new signs in Hollingdean Park, November 2025
Entrance Map , Forest Garden and Pond Sign installed November 2025
Growing Hollingdean have collaborated with Froglife and Brighton & Hove Food Partnership to make new growing and wildlife spaces in Hollingdean Park. New signs explain where these areas are and what you can find there. Thank you to all those volunteers involved in making this happen, we couldn’t do it without you!
Would you like to get involved in taking care of our trees, plants and wildlife in the park and Forest Garden? It is fun and friendly. Join us on 3rd Sunday morning of the month from 10am -12pm. Everyone welcome!
See Growing Hollingdean’s Forest Garden page here and Tree Map here,
Tree 085 Elderflower on Brentwood Road, staked and caged by volunteer Tree Guardians
Tree guardian volunteers meet at 10am on Sunday 7th December 2025 at the Lynchet Close Shed. We will collect tools and gloves before venturing out into Hollingdean estate to garden around some fruit and nut trees.
We look forward to seeing you for pip tree pruning, rain or shine.
Tree Guardians seen on Brentwood Road 2 November 2025
Twelve volunteers laugh and giggled as they weeded, planted, staked and caged around the trees on Brentwood Road on 2nd November 2025. Giving the quince tree number 087 a hessian strap to help it grow straight again.
Tree 086 AppleTree 087 Quince
Spring bulbs planted by volunteers on Brentwood Road
Spring bulbs were planted at the base of the trees and the left overs bulbs were planted below the community noticeboard at the bottom of the hill. While we weeded the flowerbed we found two frogs hiding in the long grass. It was very exciting for our volunteers.
Thank you to a fellow passer by who offered to take any of our waste, but everything was chopped and used as a mulch so no garden waste was created.
Bulb planting under notice board on Brentwood RoadWeeding on Brentwood Road
Polly from Growing Hollingdean on BBC Radio Sussex
Did you hear our wonderful Polly on Radio Sussex on Sunday 2nd November 2025? Promoting our wonderful volunteers on the radio on the gardening programme with Pat Marsh. Well done Polly. Check out our tree map to find your nearest fruit trees.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Find our Growing Hollingdean volunteer Mel, in Two Trees Community Garden on Sunday morning for some light winter gardening. She will be dividing herbaceous perennials and moving them to other parts of the garden. Join Mel to learn more about the garden, how you can help and meet other local volunteers.
Chop Suey Greens is Chrysanthemum Coronarium. It is a ‘cut and come again’ edible plant with an aromatic, slightly bitter flavour. It can be boiled like spinach or stir-fried. See here for more information.
Visit our Two Trees Community Garden website page for more information here.
Today’s Forest Gardening 10-12 CANCELLED due to illness. Many apologies! Watch this space as we may slot in another event before December. Thanks folks 🌿
Meet at the Lynchet Road Shed
Join us for a fun few hours 10-12pm on Sunday 16 November 2025 for Forest Gardening, learning and sharing. Everyone welcome to join the Growing Hollingdean volunteers in the park.
Our Forest Gardening in October
What a productive time in the Forest Garden on Sunday 19 October 2025, our Growing Hollingdean volunteers managed to beat the rain. We weeded, mulched apple trees, chatted, cleared some Cherry Plum suckers and nettles.
Wildflowers planted in the Forest Garden this Autumn
Volunteers were very excited to be planting wildflowers around the orchard, purchased from Wildflower Conservation Society and paid for with funds raised from the plant fair in April, a bigthank you to you. These included Common Columbine / Aquilegiavulgaris, Common Vetch / Vicia sativa, Selfheal / Prunellavulgaris, Foxglove / Digitalis, Primrose / Primulavulgaris, Achillea / Achilleamillefolium and Fox and Cubs / Pilosellaaurantiaca.
Do you know why ‘Fox and Cubs’ native plant has that name?
A ‘Fox and cub’ plant a hairy herbaceous perennial and is visited by bees for nectar and pollen. Is it a vibrant, burnt orange colour (like a fox) but the larger open flower (the ‘fox’) often shelters unopened buds (the ‘cubs’). Funnily enough, we didn’t see our actual fox this time in the park – usually it likes to keep an eye on what we’re doing and our snacks – which we keep well out of its way of course.
Banana ripening trick for the Sharon Fruit
Sharon Fruit Tree in Hollingdean Park Orchard
The Sharon fruit weren’t quite ready to eat at snack time (we’re experimenting with ripening them in a paper bag with a ripe banana). We all enjoyed a cup of Bengal Spice tea, said to be good for its melatonin stimulating properties and various other goodies. Yummy after our satisfying few hours of weeding.
We meet at Growing Hollingdean shed on the corner of Brentwood Road and Lynchet Close at 10am. We wait 10 minutes before going on to our location within the estate. One of our Growing Hollingdean volunteers will talk through the mornings plan, give out equipment, including some Health & Safety tips. It’s free fitness, a chance to make new friends, and we always have a good laugh along the way.
Tree Guardian Volunteers seen Gardening behind the flats on Stephens Road, 7th September 2025
Pear Trees 209 and 210
Tree Guardians seen on the Wildflower Verge in Hollingdean Park, 5th October 2025
Tree Guardians took part in the Get Growing Harvest Festival by clearing the wildflower verge at the bottom of Hollingdean Park. Volunteers raked away the cuttings left by the mower and planted spring bulbs. All the cuttings were used as mulch around the nearby trees, helping to return nutrients to the soil. A big thank you to all the volunteers for their hard work!
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Growing Hollingdean volunteer, Mel, gave a presentation at the Council Tenant Celebration Day on 13 September 2025, telling people about the wonderful achievements at Two Trees Community Garden over the last 11 years. And her achievements were celebrated in Homing In, the Council’s newsletter for tenants.
Front cover news for Two Trees Community Garden
We are very proud of Mel and what she has achieved as one of the Growing Hollingdean early members. As well as establishing Two Trees with Nauma and developing it over the years, she is an active Tree Guardian and also grows in her own allotment and garden. And that is as well as caring for her family and a full time job. She is amazing! A big thank you to Mel.
If you would like to join Mel in Two Trees Community Garden, visit our page here for more information.
Community was alive and thriving as all who had been involved in creating an edible hedge in the park and the Forest Garden celebrated this year’s achievements. The Get Growing in Hollingdean Park project has been a collaboration between Growing Hollingdean, Brighton and Hove Food Partnership and Brighton Permaculture Trust, supported by Cultivate EU. Hollingdean folk helped design and plant food growing beds in the orchard and and the park this year for us all to enjoy in the years to come. And our final event of the year was a huge success!
Stephan’s apple pressing and tastingFolk music and dancing
Around 80 people joined us in the Community Orchard
Hollingdean Community Orchard was filled with activity. Stephan led the apple pressing and juicing, popular with children- shown by their laughter, excitement and joy. Apples were juiced, delighting everyone. There were games to identify the plants in the orchard. Anna cooked up a feast. The smell of the sizzling caramelised apple pancakes and pakoras woke up our taste buds. Groups sat together, sharing food, chatter and connection. Children got involved in it all and there was a true feeling for them of safety and belonging. The day was rounded off with storytelling, music and dancing- young and old had a great time together. Many thanks to the musicians who came along to entertain us and to Sheila for her magical storytelling.
Get Growing carries on, taking care of the Food Forest and Edible Bed, 3rd Sunday of the Month, 10-12, all year round. Come and join us, its fun and we learn a lot! Children are welcome with responsible adults. Meet us in the orchard.
Outdoor cookingSheila’s storytelling
Thank you to all the volunteers that helped out, making it a fun day for all.
If you would like to be involved, meet your community or help out in our next free event, subscribe to receive our latest news.
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Gardening at the Edible Hedge in Hollingdean Park, September 2025
Hollingdean Park Volunteer Gardening, 10am-12noon, Rain or Shine!
Volunteers meet at the Growing Hollingdean Shed (on the corner of Brentwood Road and Lynchet Close) at 10am on 19th October 2025. We have gloves and equipment you can borrow. Bring your smile and enthusiasm, all are welcome.
Weeding at the Edible HedgeEnjoying gardening and sunshine
Volunteer gardeners at the Edible Hedge, 21st September 2025
Our latest Get Growing gardening morning kept us entertained in the sunshine as we puzzled over various plants in the edible beds in Hollingdean Park. We worked along the Edible Hedge on the fence line near the Forest Garden doing a mixture of ‘chop and drop’ (that’s uprooting non-flowering annual weeds then leaving them on the soil surface to mulch) and plain old weeding out things like bind weed. It was satisfying to clear around our precious edibles and rediscover a few things that had got a bit lost. As it was Apple Day we had to have delicious home-made Apple Cake at break time. Thanks Kate!
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Volunteers gathered on Saturday morning to prepare the wildflower verge for next year. It was a perfect dry day for collecting seeds and removing the spent wildflowers and grasses. A big thank you to Mel for lending the tools, and to Polly, Karen, and Adela for helping Jo-seph with the raking and clearing. Daffodil, allium, and crocus bulbs were also planted throughout the area to bring some early colour next spring.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Join the Growing Hollingdean volunteers for gardening activities at the Hollingdean Park Community Orchard & Food ForestGarden, click here. Explore our Edible Hedge and meet the Tree Guardians, who’ll share their knowledge about Hollingdean’s fruit and nut trees.
Plus, enjoy a full day of activities:
🎲 Games in the Orchard with Helen (Brighton & Hove Food Partnership) — 10am–4pm 🍎 Apple Juicing with Stephan (Brighton Permaculture Trust) — 12pm–4pm ☕ Free Refreshments throughout the day 👩🍳 Cookery Demonstration with Anna Schwarz at the Hollingdean Family Hub — Sign up for a free lunch! 📖 Afternoon Storytelling with Shelia — from 2pm 🎶 Traditional Appalachian Folk Music — from 2:30pm
Come along, join in, and celebrate community, food, and nature together! Rain or shine we will be there!!
Saturday 27 September, Mountfields Triangle, 10am-12pm, Rain or Shine!
Join the Growing Hollingdean volunteers for our annual wildflower meadow cutting on Saturday 27th September2025. We’ll meet at 10am at the Growing Hollingdean shed on the corner of Brentwood Road and Lynchet Close to collect equipment (or bring your own), before walking down to the wildflower triangle behind the 50 bus stop at Mountfields and The Crestway (in pink). Together we’ll be cutting the meadow with shears and scythes, and planting wildflower plants and bulbs using trowels and gloves. Come along, lend a hand, and help care for our beautiful community wildflower meadow!
Free Event Hollingdean, Brighton this September 2025
Get Growing at Forest Garden, Hollingdean Community Orchard
Last month’s Get Growing at the Forest Garden was a scorcher, so we took things at a gentle pace and rested in the shade of the glorious Cherry Plum tree for breaks as we worked in the Orchard. Maybe we should call it a Cheery Plum – it’s been so full of fruit and buzzing bees!
Hollingdean Community Orchard’s broken bench removed, August 2025
Before we could crack on with gardening, we powerlifted the vandalised picnic bench right out of the way – again – so no one would hurt themselves on it (update – thanks to the council, it’s now been removed). We really do want everyone to be able to enjoy the orchard. Sitting there in that sheltered spot is such a pleasure. Even better when we can sample the fruits as we did this session. This month we should find more apples and pears are ripe for picking. Watch this space for possible crowd-funding ideas for a new bench.
Every 3rd Sunday of the month, from 10am to 12pm. Come along and help us grow food! Our friendly Growing Hollingdean volunteers will meet you at The Shed (on the corner of Brentwood Road and Lynchet Close) at 10am, where you’ll be able to borrow gloves and equipment.
Everyone is welcome, no experience needed!We look forward to seeing you, rain or shine.
Many thanks to all the volunteers – new and regulars – for weeding, mulching and watering.
If only we’d taken a photo of the bindweed mountain we made. Impressive effort, folks!
GardeningWeedingRelaxing with friends
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Join us and learn how to care for your Hollingdean fruit and nut trees. This Sunday 7th September 2025, meet us at the Growing Hollingdean shed on the corner of Brentwood Road and Lynchet Close at 10am.
Tree Guardian Mornings, first Sunday of the month, 10am to 12pm!
Tree Guardians pruning stone fruit trees in August 2025
214 Plum Tree249 Plum Tree237 Plum Tree
Sarahjane and Polly led the Tree Guardians session on 3rd August 2025. Thank you to the seven volunteers who took part in the giggles… and pruning. We managed to get round about 20 trees on Stephens Road (tree numbers 204 to 217) and Horton Road (tree numbers 258 to 266). We were pruning stone fruit trees, taking off damaged branches and some light weeding. Plum tree 249 is huge, behind flats on Horton Road and was ladened with lovely plums. It’s lower branches were pruned to let more light in to the fruit. Some green plums were perfect for turning into yummy chutney. The volunteers enjoyed a free feast of plums, too, as they roamed the streets. We also found an intriguing wooden sculpture on 039 Apple Tree near the entrance to the Linkway. This made us all smile.
Learn to prune on YouTube
Learn how to prune stone fruit trees by watching our video. Please let us know which tree number you have pruned so we can add it to our list. With over 300 trees and a slow growing volunteer group we could do with all the help we can get.
How to weed around a fruit tree video
We remove grass and weeds from around the base of a tree, this helps the tree grow stronger without competition for nutrients and water. Tree’s are very important for cleaning our air, creating shade, sucking up excess water and providing us with free food. With only a few minutes gardening can give so much back to us.
Inspired by Hollingdean carless boot sale in 2020. Put your walking shoes on and get out looking for some bargains. Or set up a table, mat or rail outside your home to sell! Scan this QR code or link here (make sure you have google maps tab open) to view all the location. Email HollingdeanStreetFair@gmail.com with your address and what you be selling to put your home on the map.
Books, toys, shoesClothes for kids and adultsBook and shoes
New regular gardening mornings in Hollingdean, 3rd Sunday of the month
Join in with gardening the beautiful green space in Hollingdean Community Orchard and Forest Garden, at the back of Hollingdean Park. Learn more about the food growing in the garden and park for everyone to forage. If we look after our green spaces then they will look after us! Everyone is welcome. We look forward to meeting you.
Every 3rd Sunday of the month, from 10am to 12pm. Come along and help us grow food! Our friendly Growing Hollingdean volunteers will meet you at The Shed (on the corner of Brentwood Road and Lynchet Close) at 10am, where you’ll be able to borrow gloves and equipment.
Everyone is welcome, no experience needed!We look forward to seeing you, rain or shine.
Everyone learnt a lot at Hollingdean Park’s Forest Garden training day, July 2025
Get Growing in Hollingdean volunteers at Hollingdean Park Community Orchard and Forest Garden
Thank you to B&H Food Partnership, EU Cultivate cultivate-project.eu and Permaculture Tutor Stephan Gehrels for a fantastic day at Hollingdean Community Orchard and Forest Garden. We learnt a lot about how to take care of the the perennial herbs, salads, alliums, fruit bushes and trees planted in the park and orchard this year. And also how to restore and maintain the mature trees and bushes that have been in the orchard for some years. There were plenty of chances to try out scything, pruning, watering and weeding- something for everyone! As well as enjoy a lovely lunch together.
Climate changes effect us all
We also observed how the hot dry weather has affected how new plants have grown. And made plans for capturing essential water and providing shelter for wildlife (and the volunteers!) in all seasons – whether hot and dry, or cold and wet. Climate changes mean that we can expect some more extreme weather conditions in coming years so it is good to understand how to support new plants and trees to grow into a thriving, resilient Food Forest Garden for Hollingdean.
Thank you to Carl Evans Street Art and team who create this spectacular mural on Stephens Road and Brentwood Road this July 2025. Thank you to Jo-seph for organising it all and to Hollingdean Residents Association and B&H Housing Department for agreeing the funding, see details on our blog here. This was included as part of the Two Tree Community Garden mural with leftover funds.
Two Tree Community Garden Mural
Pop down anytime for a wander or sit in Two Trees Community Garden. Enjoy this beautiful quiet space and nature.
Tree Guardian volunteers session, 10am-12noon and every first Sunday of every month
Meet us at the shed on the corner of Brentwood Road and Lynchet Close at 10am. Gloves and equipment are available to borrow or bring your own. We will be pruning near by stone fruit trees this month. Join us to learn how to look after your trees.
You could find the Tree Guardians at the bottom of Horton Road in July 2025
Thank you to the 13 volunteers (plus two children) who came long to Tree Guardians on 6th July 2025. 12 trees were weeded, mulched and some stone fruit trees were pruned. Everyone enjoyed some chat and the tasty cherry plums picked from near by trees. Thank you to our neighbours for cardboard, which we used to suppress the grass that can rob nutrients from the trees. Covering the cardboard with bark makes the mulch even more long-lasting and effective.
A satisfied group of volunteersCherry Plums are ready to eat, July 2025Fruit picking net made by hand from a net bag, wire and bamboo pole
Fruit picking in Hollingdean is tasty and fun
Wow! The cherry plums are amazing this year!! Check out our Tree Map for where you can find them. It’s fun, tasty and free. We recommend using or making a fishing net to gently gather the fruit. Remember when picking fruit, not to damage the tree and avoid pulling down the branches. A gently touch is enough to gather the ripe fruit. When fruit is ripe it will come away very easily from the branch. Enjoy- and don’t forget to share with neighbours and friends and leave some on the tree for others, too, including the birds and animals.
Join Volunteers at Two Trees Community Garden for a BYO Picnic
Come along for a relaxed and friendly public meet-up at Two Trees Community Garden! It’s a bring your own picnic bring and enjoy some time in the green space with neighbours and local growers. Learn about the community’s trees, wildflowers, food forest, edible hedge, orchard, ponds, bog, and the five Community Gardens in Hollingdean.
💬 Got gardening questions? 🎨 Want to give feedback on the new mural? 🌱 Curious about volunteering with Growing Hollingdean?
We’d love to hear from you! Let’s connect, share ideas, and grow together.
Two Tree Community Garden Mural is finished, July 2025
Thank you to Carl Evans Street Art and the many local helpers who create this spectacular mural. Thank you to Jo-seph for organising it all and to Hollingdean Residents Association and B&H Housing Department for agreeing the funding, see details on our blog here. See more information on Two Trees Community Garden web page here. We look forward to meeting you.
Please close the gate after you and respect the residents space on the way to the garden. There are also other entrances to the garden, see our website page for a map here.
Join us for a hands-on day of learning essential maintenance skills including:
Seasonal pruning techniques for fruit trees and shrubs
Mulching and soil care to keep plants healthy
Natural pest management and plant health
Harvesting and preserving your forest garden bounty
Planning for year-round productivity
Whether you were with us from the design day or this is your first time getting involved, you’ll gain practical skills to help our community gardens flourish for years to come. Bring your own gardening gloves and any tools you have (we have some extras to share).
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
What our Tree Guardians did on Sunday 1st June 2025
073 Cherry Plum212 Plum
A huge thank you to our incredible Tree Guardians! With the help of eight dedicated volunteers, we mulched 13 to fruit trees along Stephens Road (see our map) as part of our new maintenance plan. We carefully weeded around each tree, since weeds compete for vital water and nutrients. Then we laid down cardboard as a natural weed barrier. If you would like to join in next time, bring suitable clothing for the weather and sunscreen. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
211 Mulberry Tree214 Plum Tree
Gardeners World recommends using three overlapping layers of plain cardboard (no ink or tape!) for best results. On top of that, we added mulch made from woodchip or grass clippings. This helps suppress any remaining weeds, locks in moisture, and feeds the soil as it breaks down. Thanks to everyone involved — our trees are thriving because of you!
Please donate your cardboard boxes, there is a designated area at the Lynchet Close shed. If you can flatten them it would be much appreciated, thank you.
Tree Guardians litter pick in Hollingdean
Before litter pickAfter litter pick
We had a spare 20 minutes during Tree Guardians, and when we walked past this pile of dumped rubbish, we just couldn’t ignore it. What a powerful reminder that small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Big love to the Tree Guardians. Thank you!
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
A bee-themed storytelling at Hollingdean Community Orchard and Forest Garden
On the summer solstice Sunday the community orchard was lush and growing well. And we were lucky to have a bee-themed storytelling event to celebrate. Yanet Sepulveda de la Rosa from the University of Sussex explained to children and grown ups what a Biologist is, why bees are so important, and what we can do to help them – the core message in her beautiful book.
Sheila brought the story to life as she shared the story in the book and the children participated with sound and questions. The event ended with seeds to plant and take away and some happy children with their copies of the book and stickers!
Visit the Wildflower Conservation Society Open Day at Stamner Park on 13 July 2025
11:00 am – 4:00 pm, FREE to attend, WFCS polytunnel at Stanmer Park, Brighton
Join us for a family-friendly day at the WFCS in Stanmer Park. Discover what we do, along with engaging presentations from our excellent speakers on various conservation topics. Click to see their website here for map and speakers. Wildflowers for sale, our plants are available to buy for just £2 per plant. Our Wildflower meadow walk – Sussex is home to many wonderful meadows. Come and learn more about this beautiful and diverse habitat from 2.45 pm. Childrens’ activities, all day there will be nature based children’s activities like our ‘Bee Facts’ trail. We have a coffee van selling refreshments and will have additional stalls to be announced.
See our Growing Hollingdean map for the nearest wildflower verge near you, here.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Saturday, 21 June 2025, 3 – 4pm, Hollingdean Park Community Orchard & Forest Garden
Join Sheila a Growing Hollingdean volunteer, as she weaves tales of adventure and wonder while sharing the vital role bees play in our world and how we can help protect them.
This beautiful story was written by Dr. Yanet Sepúlveda, Research Fellow in Ecology and Evolution at the University of Sussex, and is designed to inspire young minds to care for our buzzing friends. As a special bonus, you will receive a FREE copy of the book plus a bee-friendly seed pack to grow their own pollinator haven!
Free ‘The Summer we saved the bees’ book for ticket holders, limited tickets for children
Free ‘The Summer we saved the bees’ book for ticket holdersAutumn 2024 story telling
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Saturday 7th June 2025, 11am to 4pm, part of Brighton & Hove Community Gardens Trail
Join Mel at Two Tree Community Garden in the heart of Hollingdean, find out what we are growing near you. Chat to our volunteers and find out how you can help or just come along to enjoy the quietness and nature. Find us as part of the 12 community gardens taking part of the Brighton & Hove Community Gardens Network on this map.
See Growing Hollingdean’s Community Garden Pages for all garden spaces in Hollingdean. Two Tree Community Garden in opposite Hollingdean Community Centre Garden. We look forward to meeting you.
Take advantage of our picnic area, there are four entrances as Two Tree Community Garden as it is hidden between the buildings. There is also a kids play area on Tavistock Down and toilets at the Hollingdean Community Centre between 10am to 12noon and 2pm to 5pm.
Picnic areaEnjoy pickingWatch our tomatoes grow
How to find Two Trees Community Garden @TavistockDown
The gate entrance is accessible via south end of Tavistock Down, behind the play park, next to the turning to Thompson Road or use what3words, panel.fallen.trash.
Two Trees Community Garden, Tavistock Down, Hollingdean Brighton, since 2014
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
10am-12noon on the first Sunday of every month for Hollingdean tree care and gardening
Meet at the Growing Hollingdean shed on the corner of Brentwood Road and Lynchet Close at 10am. Tools and gloves will be provided, remember to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. If you have your own secateurs or weeding tool please bring them. We look forward to meeting you.
13 adults and two children for Tree Guardians on Sunday 4th May 2025 – an amazing turn out!
206 Plum Tree259 Walnut Tree
Four new volunteers joined us making a total of 13 adults and two children for Tree Guardians on the first Sunday in May 2025. We were able to free a plum from some ‘old man’s beard‘ behind flats on Stephens Road and also weeded the fruit trees by the old community garden there.
Weeding for tree guard to be installedHorton Road Community Flowerbed
Part of the group of volunteers installed new tree guards and with lots of weeding under the trees along Horton Road and some litter picking.
Thank you to our volunteers for making time to look after our trees in Hollingdean
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Thank you for bringing your plants to swap, sell or buy, on Saturday 27th April 2025. Hollingdean Community Centre was the place to enjoy plants with like-minded people-full of smiling faces, plant swapping and donations and buying indoor and outdoor plants. And plenty of chat about growing!
Thank you to those who donated cake and their time as well. And thanks to Carlotta for making us a delicious 5th Anniversary cake, covered in flowers, just right for the occasion.
This year’s plant selection was fantastic wildflowers, cottage garden plants and plenty of veg, from artichokes to pumpkins. There was something for everyone, as well as plenty of free advice from our volunteers on what there was to choose from, where to plant and how to look after them.
Claire with Charlotta who baked our birthday cakeGreat plant advicePlant sale and free advice
Marc Stenham
Thank you to Marc Stenham of Rodmell Forest Garden for the interesting talk on growing a low – maintenance Food Forest by working with nature and building up the soil fertility and resilience. And for answering all our questions. It has inspired us in creating our own Food Forest in the Park.
More thank you’s
Thanks also to our friends of the Repair Cafe for teaching us how to take care of our tools and keep them sharp and fit for gardening.
Badge making with AsterLots of plants on offerRepair CafeAmos from RAGS
Thank you to Amos for donating young plants from his allotment, a large tray of young healthy vegetables plants came from Roedale Allotments (RAGS). Thank you Samson for the great photos.
Join us on Sunday for Tree Guardians, 10am-12noon the first Sunday of every month. We meet at Growing Hollingdean shed on the corner of Brentwood Road and Lynchet Close. See our Tree Guardian website page for more information, click here.
Jo-seph giving Health & Safety brief before gardening began
17 Tree Guardians volunteers turned up on 6th April 2025
It was a beautiful sunny morning with a cool breeze on 6th April 2025. Jo-seph led volunteers down to Merevale to finish caging and stacking trees 184 to 191. Some of us carried out light weeding, adding grass clippings around the base of the trees. Mulching in this way helps to conserve the water at the base of the trees and to feed them. It all adds up to happier, healthier trees and better crops!
Polly lead some of us down Stephen’s Road weeding around tree numbers 203-7 and 212 to 216. All the weeding is by hand, including nettles (we wear gloves!) and then left to dry in the sunshine and return the nutrients into the ground.
We recommend a walk round Hollingdean to enjoy the blossom. It is particularly good this year.
Enjoy a walk round Hollingdean for beautiful apple blossom
Thank you to the volunteers who helped make it all happen.
Sarahjane, Polly, Claire and Fenella planted 90 new wildflower plugs to boost the patch at Mountfields. Some of the turf seemed to have thinned, perhaps as result of the yellow rattle sown this winter and in previous seasons. Yellow rattle helps make room for wildflowers by being parasitic on the roots of grass so it less able to crowd the more delicate plants.
Thank you to Claire for gathering plants from The Wild Flower Conservation Society, who save seed and create new wildflower plugs for verges, parks and gardens all over the area. Lets see what a show the wildflowers make this summer- and how the bees, butterflies benefit. The birds will be happy to eat the seeds and plentiful insect life too.
Take look at the new information sign, which explains more about the wildflower verge.
Thank you to volunteers Lars and SarahJane for designing and organising our new sign!
2 to 5pm at Hollingdean Community Centre, Free Entry
Join us in celebrating five years of Growing Hollingdean at our Plant & Seed Fair, held at the Hollingdean Community Centre. Please bring plants, cuttings, or seedlings to swap or donate. Remember to clearly label each pot with the plant’s name. There will be indoor and outdoor plants for sale, so don’t forget to bring a bag and cash!
Sweet and Savoury Bakes Wanted!
Please contact us us if you’re able to donate sweet or savoury baked goods for the event. All funds raised will help support Growing Hollingdean in maintaining and caring for Hollingdean’s fruit and nut trees, as well as local wildlife spaces.
What’s on at the Plant Fair
Plant stalls, 2 to 5pm – growing help and advice from volunteers
Cake & drinks – homemade cakes, tea, coffee and juice
Repair Cafe, bring you tools for sharpening, 2 to 5pm
Growing Hollingdean AGM meeting for everyone, 4.30 to 5pm
Friendly volunteers from Growing Hollingdean will be on hand throughout the event, happy to chat, share gardening tips, and answer any questions you may have about growing plants and taking care of your garden.
Swop or donate plants with neighboursGrowing chat with new gardening friends
We look forward to meeting you! A special thank you to the Community Centre for hosting us, and to Amos and all our wonderful volunteers for their support.
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
Hop into the fun this Easter! Explore the new Edible Hedge and Forest Garden at the Hollingdean Park and Community Orchard, while hunting for yummy eggs! Tickets are free or by donation – all funds go towards supporting Growing Hollingdean and our local green spaces. We’ve got milk chocolate and milk-free / vegan eggs, so no one misses out!
Important: Every child taking part must have a ticket – no ticket, no hunting! Let’s keep it fun for everyone – please be kind, patient, and respect others during the game.
11am to 1pm at Mountfields Bus Stop Wildflower Verge
Join Growing Hollingdean volunteers to plant these wildflowers at the Mountfields Bus Stop verge!
We first planted this verge in October 2023 as a trial project. After its successful growth, we hope you’ve enjoyed seeing butterflies, birds, bees, insects, and other wildlife thriving in this space.
From Verges to Trees to Gardens – this is how to create a Wildlife Corridor
Bees and insects are incredibly important to us, as they pollinate over 300 fruit and nut trees around Hollingdean. By connecting our verges, trees, and your own green spaces or gardens, we help create a beautiful wildlife corridor. Check out Brighton & Hove Council’s sites here. You can also explore our Growing Hollingdean Map for the nearest wildflower verge near you.
It is truly magical to take a moment to enjoy the fragrance of blossoms in spring and listen for the gentle buzzing of bees among our fruit trees.
Hollingdean is doing our bit for the environment
This wildflower-planted verge also helps cool the ground and absorbs excess rainwater—a double benefit for our environment! We currently have six wildflower areas across Hollingdean. Explore their locations on our Tree Map here.
The weather has been gorgeous recently but also incredibly dry. This means that all the edible plants we put it on the Community Days over the last couple of months are very, very thirsty. So how about bringing up a bottle of water if you’re passing-it could be an old milk carton or similar – and giving one or two plants a really good drink. The edible planting is along the fence towards the Hollingdean Community Orchard and in the orchard itself.
How best to water the plants
It’s best to give one or two plants plenty of water, rather than lots of plants a little bit as it encourages the plants to keep sending their roots deep which helps them thrive. Also, even if we have some rain over the next week, the ground is still very dry so we still need to water if at all possible. We are working on accessing water regularly from the Family Hub but in the meantime, every bit of water really does help.
Don’t forget to enjoy all the beautiful blossom in the orchard.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Would you enjoy helping to look after Hollingdean’s fruit and nut trees, and learning more about what helps them thrive? Come ad meet our volunteers at Growing Hollingdean’s shed on the corner of Brentwood Road and Lynchet Close at 10am. We wait 10 minutes before going on to our location for the morning. One of our Growing Hollingdean volunteers will talk through the mornings plan, including with some Health & Safety tips. There are various jobs and you will be given full training. it is a friendly way to enjoy being outdoors. All equipment is provided, please bring your own drink, gloves (if you have them) and a smile!
199 Plum Tree073 Cherry Plum Tree
We are very lucky to have large green open spaces in Hollingdean, perfect places to sit in the quiet and enjoy nature.
Last month Growing Hollingdean’s volunteer gardeners weeded and mulched trees on Sunday 2nd March 2025. Here is what they did.
Sarahjane took nine volunteers to the pile of wood chip on Merevale and Stephens Road to garden around the trees behind the west side flats. There are eight trees in a line, number 192 to 199, see our tree map for more details. Three Apple trees, two pear trees, a two plum and a Mulberry tree. Mulching will help hold the water in the ground whilst the weather is dry. This helps the trees to grow healthy, juicy fruit.
Volunteers at Hollingdean Park Community Orchard
Our Tree Guardians also headed up to Hollingdean Park Community Orchard to weed, prune and chat in the sun. This is such a lovely quiet space to be. Check out the blossom this month, it’s going to be amazing this year. Great for the bee’s and other pollinating insects to enjoy as well.
Thank you to all Growing Hollingdean’s volunteers!
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Would you like to help make compost for the community garden?
Dry weeds and cut grass can be dropped into the compost bins and the worms, slugs, snails will break this down into FREE compost which is full of nutrients and helps all our plants to thrive. Its magic, see how its done here!
Local compost made in 2023 to 2024
You might be wondering what all the fuss is about? Light fluffy, non-smelly and nitrogen-rich beautiful soil is made for FREE from all those old vegetable plants, garden waste, scraps, twigs, weeds, cardboard and stalks. This what it looked like in the community garden last year. Want to know more? See ‘THE ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS GUIDE TO COMPOSTING‘ here, they also answer questions you may have about composting. EASY!
Two Trees Community Garden are applying for a Estate Development Budget (EDB) with help from Growing Hollingdean. They want to fund a mural to be painted on the Tavistock Down Flats entrance to Two Trees Community Garden. This will be painted by Carl Evens who painted the other flats around the estate. See his previous work he has created for us here.
Please let us know if you would prefer a colourful artwork on the flats or if you’d like it to remain as it is. Any feedback is welcome including positive comments. If you’d like to have a chat with Clare Nichols the Community Engagement Officer who is organising the project please email to Clare.nichols@brighton-hove.gov.uk. All responses need to be in by Friday 21st March August.
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
We are really lucky to have been supported by Brighton & Hove Food Partnership and Brighton Permaculture Trust and to have been funded by Cultivate EU- a programme to promote food growing in many cities across Europe. In February an edible hedgerow, including fruit trees was planted between the Family Hub and the playpark. This month Hollingdean Community Orchard is being planted with new layers of plants so that it becomes a Forest Garden.
Everyone is welcome to visit. Please take care of the new young plants. It is wonderful to see them grow and come back to enjoy their fruit later in the year. We can all sample a few and leave more for others, too, including wildlife. This year the new plants need to get their roots down and really bed in. As the garden becomes mature, so it will become more and more fruitful over the years.
Stephan briefing the volunteersCompost spread on top of cardboardWood chip loaded into wheel barrowsBrambles cut backPlanting between the tree’sFinished bed
What is a forest garden?
“Forest gardens are food-producing systems which seek to emulate natural woodland ecosystems as closely as possible. They consist of mainly perennial plants which are agriculturally productive or useful, growing as they would in the wild.” Says Permaculture Association This includes fruit and nut trees, climbers and vines, shrubs such as currant bushes, herbaceous perennials and herbs, ground cover plants and roots. Some plants maybe edible and some medicinal. They all have a place in the Forest Garden.
Families planting togetherGreat team workTime to catch upLearning new skills togetherA fun happy day
Thank you to Community Chef Anna who cooked us all a lovely lunch! And everyone who helped make it a really productive day
Join us again on Sunday 9th March 2025 between 10-4 for more planting, smiles and plenty of hot drinks and a free lunch at the Family Hub. Sign up for each event via the ‘Register Now’ button; You must register separately for each event day where we are learning how to make a Forest Garden.
This time we will be building a Big Bug Hotel and also making and planting up more Forest Garden beds at Hollingdean Park Community Orchard. Plenty of fun for everyone! Any other questions please email rob@bhfood.org.uk or call 01273 234 810 quoting the ‘Get Growing in Hollingdean Park’ events.
What we did on 9th February 2025 in Hollingdean Park
Our Growing Hollingdean volunteers joined Brighton & Hove Food Partnership, Brighton Permaculture Trust and Hollingdean Family Hub to plant a new edible hedge in Hollingdean Park. We had a fantastic group of 25 volunteers, including children, who planted fruit trees, climbers, fruit bushes, herbs and perennial vegetables as well as edible flowers. It will be exciting to see what comes up and flourishes this year! We also made some sturdy permanent edges and mulched the whole bed with bark to help the plants get a good start- and make sure it is all safe from the mowers.
Lots of hands make light work of moving the two tons of compost onto the new beds. It kept us all warm on a cold day!
Cardboard is laid down first to help suppress grass and weeds and then the compost is tipped on top. Stakes are added either side of the new fruit trees. Everyone helps decide where smaller plants can go and then get them planted. Woodchip goes on top to protect everything and provide a good mulch. Finally logs are fixed firmly in place with short stakes. A good job done.
Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteers, Brighton & Hove Food Partnership, The Family Hub and Brighton Permaculture Trust who have all made this possible
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Our volunteers were busy on The Linkway, 2nd February 2025
12 volunteers including two young people, turned up on a bright February Sunday morning to do some tree care in Hollingdean. Using the wood chip pile (mulch) on Horton Road, they mulched around the tree’s on Horton Road, numbers 237, 238 and 239. Then onto The Linkway tree numbers 240, 241, and 242. You can look on the Hollingdean Tree Map to see which trees these are and learn a little more about them.
Travelling down hill with the wheel barrows to The Crestway, was fun. We mulched tree numbers 037, 040, 041, 042 and 043. This time of year we prune the Apple trees, taking out dead wood or crossing branches. Guidance is given to beginners. With a little bit of energy left, a couple of trees in St Richards Community garden also received some much needed mulch (225, 226, and 227). We all finished with smiles and a satisfied feeling all round.
Growing tips for February
February is a great time to start off vegetables or flowers in seed trays on your window sill. The RHS recommends trying mini vegetables. To save money you could use seed you saved from last year. Here is how to test if it is still viable Gardeners World. If you are buying fresh seed why not swap and share with friends? Remember any extra seeds or seedlings can also be swapped at the Growing Hollingdean Plant Fair& AGM on the 26th April 2025 at Hollingdean Community Centre. See you there?
Blossom to look out for during February in Hollingdean
Its so small you could miss the winter blossom of the Cornelian Cherry, head out to find tree 080 on Brentwood Road and 168 on Lynchet Close, click here for out tree map. These could grow to 2.5–4 metres, with in 10–20 years. Fruits in the Summer and Autumn.
Cherry Plum tree blossom in Hollingdean Brighton, February 2025
Tiny spring flowers all over Hollingdean.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Community Planting Day at Family Hub, 9th March 2025
Sunday 9th March 2025, 10am – 4pm. Plant trees and plants, at Hollingdean Family Hub, Lynchet Close, Brighton. There will be food and drink at each event, children are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult, we will be outside so please bring warm clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. We look forward to seeing you.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Extra Tree Guardian session in January 2025 at Two Trees Community Garden Hollingdean, Brighton
Growing Hollingdean volunteers kept warm by gardening
Weeding 062 Plum Tree
Six volunteers embraced the grey cold Sunday January morning to warm up by gardening, litter picking and staking a couple of fruit trees at Two Trees Community Garden on the Hollingdean estate. A little vitamin D and smiles are very much welcome at this time of year. There is also the satisfaction of the great company of like-minded people and knowing you have done something positive!
Join our Tree Guardians for some fresh air, tree maintenance and a smile. Everyone is welcome! Meet us at 10 am at the Family Hub, Lynchet Close before we set off to an orchard.
Volunteer Tree Guardians at Dryads Community Orchard Hollingdean, 5th January 2025
Our Volunteer Tree Guardians at Dryads Community Orchard, 5th January 2025
We cleared long grass and spent wildflowers from Dryads Community Orchard off Golf Drive in readiness for the Wassail on 11 January 2024. Although it was a wet day we had a new volunteer join us and two Dryads residents came along as well. We also mulched the fruit trees.
There are nine trees here, see our Tree Map, 090 plum, 091, 092, 093 Apple, 094 Black Elder, 095, 097 Apple and 098 Hazel Hedge. It was extremely overgrown at the start but with many hands we made a great impression! Thumbs up to our gardening volunteers.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Sign up for the next Get growing in Hollingdean Park Planting Day Sunday 9th February 2025
Wow! What an excellent turn out. 28 adults and 12 children joined Growing Hollingdean, Brighton Permaculture Trust and Brighton & Hove Food Partnership at the Hollingdean Family Hub on Sunday 12th January 2025. Together we learnt about food forests and how to plant and look after them. Then everyone came up with ideas for edible plants in the park and suggestions about where they could grow. We also enjoyed a bowl of soup with bread and a hot drink, made by Anna, the community chef, from locally grown ingredients. Delicious!
Hollingdean Park Edible Garden & Hedge
If you would like to join in the next planting days join up here. We are making the beds and planting on Sunday February 9th and Sunday March 9th. The idea is to create an edible hedge along a fence line in the main park and to make some child-friendly small beds in the play park outside the Family Hub this spring. If you would like to comment on the plans, please fill in the questionnaire here.
Our volunteers are making signs for our trees in Brighton
Hollingdean Fruit Tree Name Label, January 2025
Growing Hollingdean look after 323 fruit and nut trees in the Hollingdean, Brighton area. These are found on the wonderful green spaces we have between our homes. These new tree labels, are hand painted by volunteers, to help volunteers identify them accurately to give them the care they need. And you to know what sort of tree they are and when they will fruit.
Anyone can join us to look after these trees. We really appreciate it when you report to us if they are damaged. If you are able to mulch and weed around a tree too, that is fantastic! Most important of all- please can enjoy their blossom, their shade and their fruit or nuts. All the wildlife will too including birds, small mammals and the insects we really all want to thrive.
The Growing Hollingdean tree map shows where all the different trees are located. You will see how each tree species- the Latin name- is shown. Also, when to prune it, when it flowers and when it fruits. Why not join us to survey the trees or paint some labels?
020 Pear Tree Hollingdean, Brighton041 Apple Tree Hollingdean, Brighton
Wanted FREE roof tiles for a community project in Hollingdean
Growing Hollingdean volunteers are looking for free roof tiles to print tree name labels in Brighton. Please contact us (below) if you have some and will will arrange collection. Thank you so much.
Growing Tips for February – Salad leaves indoors
Grow salad leaves at this time of year cut and come again lettuce or rocket will grow indoors on a window sill. Keep watering and you will see them start to grow in a few weeks. Get the kids involved, here’s how. One pack of seed will go a long way. Why not give a seeded pot to a family member or friend?
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Join our Tree Guardians for some fresh air, light tree maintenance and a smile. Everyone is welcome, training is available too!
Growing Hollingdean volunteers planted Crocus bulbs at our last meet up on 1st December 2024
Tree Guardian volunteers got together to plant four thousand crocus bulbs in the wild flower patch bank in Hollingdean Park on Sunday 1st December 2024. It was a very grey soggy morning but this didn’t stop the hardy 13 (+ 2 kids) in full weather outfits from having a giggle. We lifted the turf to drop in the crocus bulbs . Later that morning we scraped and raked the ground before sowing yellow rattle seed. Yellow rattle is parasitical on the grass roots and needs to be planted into exposed earth amongst grass roots. It is a wildflower that thins the grass and other wildflowers then also have a chance to flourish on a grassy bank.
These tiny little bulbs will hopefully make an amazing display in February, make sure you take time to wander past. Also pop up to the bog garden to see another four thousand crocus planted on the Hollingbury Hawks football pitch bank.
Join us on Sunday 12th January 2025, 11-2pm, share your ideas and hear others, refreshments included
Get Growing in Hollingdean Park, Everyone Welcome!
Our first date is Sunday 12th January 2025 11am – 2pm. Join us to design and plan beautiful garden beds. Could be currants, raspberries, herbs…. maybe a fruit tree or two…and many other possibilities…… We will be looking at areas to plant, drawing and choosing design ideas indoors at the Family Hub building. As well as enjoying some soup and hot drinks for lunch. Click on the link at the bottom of this post to sign up for the event.
Growing Hollingdean volunteers will be gathering in the park at 10-12noon to plant four thousands crocus donated by the Rotary Club for a polio charity or donate money here. Two million purple corms (bulbs) are being planting around throughout Brighton and Hove green spaces. See Friends of Preston Park. Well done Janet at Hollingbury Hawks for planting 4k on her own around the bog pond at Hollingdean Park.
We plan to add them to the wild flower bank at the bottom of the kids playground planted last year. Crocus are easy to plant, bring a spade, a friend and we will have fun opening up the soil and dropping them in. Everyone welcome, all ages. Rain or shine we will be there.
Meet at the Lynchet Close Shed at 10am, to borrow tools and collect your crocus bulbs. Please wear appropriate clothing and bring a drink. We look forward to seeing you, rain or shine!
Meet at Lynchet Close Shed at 10am, to borrow tools and collect some crocus bulbs. Please wear appropriate clothing and bring a drink. We look forward to seeing you, rain or shine!
Walnut Tree Number 186Plum Tree Number 184
What our Tree Guardian Volunteers did on 3rd November 2024
12 Tree Guardian volunteers, 1 child gave some much needed care to the fruit and nut trees at Merevale with weeding, mulching and removing suckers. Tree map numbers: 188, 189, 190 apple, 185 peach, 184 stacked plum, 186 new stacks and 186 walnut, 184 plum and 185 peach. Well done!
Great to meet new volunteers
We stopped for some drinks, chat and snacks provided by Hollingdean Wholefoods, 19a Hollingdean Terrace via local funding initiatives. Thanks Polly for organising this.
Apple Tree Number 188Apple Tree Number 188
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All welcome at Froglife’s Wildlife Corridors event on Saturday 23rd November 2024, 1.30-4.30pm, Hollingdean Community Centre, Thompson Road
Burstead Wood pond built by Froglife with Hollingbury and Burstead Woods volunteers
Join us to celebrate Hollingdean’s Wildlife Corridors and learn how to maintain ponds and other habitats too! Free event, all welcome.
We have a lot to celebrate…the new orchard pond, the football field bog garden and many more small ponds and hibernaculum in community gardens and allotments and our own gardens
We want to say a BIG Thank You from Hollingdean to Will and Lily of Froglife -and to all the volunteers who built homes for frogs, toads, slow worms, lizards and many other wild creatures in 2024. We are really excited about the ponds, bog garden and hibernacula that are now wildlife havens in Hollingdean.
Many thanks also to Enjoolata Foundation for helping to fund all our new habitats this year
Join Froglife’s Will Johannson at this Neighbourhood Wildlife Corridor Forum and celebrate all the action for wildlife in Hollingdean and the city in 2024. Pick up more information on urban amphibian and reptile identification and how to manage and survey their habitats.
It will also be a chance to meet other groups who have been involved in creating Wildlife Corridors in the city. Groups can also collect habitat management and survey equipment.
When? Saturday 23rd November 2024, 2:00pm until 4:30pm. Doors from 1.30pm Where? Hollingdean Community Centre, Thompson Road, Brighton, BN1 7BH
For the Growing Hollingdean Collective
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Tree Guardian volunteers seen on Davey Drive and Southmount green mulching and pruning Hollingdean’s fruit trees on 6 October 2024
Help us look after Hollingdean’s fruit trees
Last month eight Tree Guardian volunteers met at the shed on Lynchet Close at 10am and walked down to the green on the corner of Davey Drive and Southmount. Autumn is a great time to get cardboard and woodchip down to reduce the grasses around the base of these trees. They managed to finish this area, and took care of 014, 016, 017, 018 (all cherry plums), 022 plum tree and 020 pear tree. Very satisfying and easier when the temperature is cooler. Afterwards they celebrated with a cuppa and a catch up.
Protecting the tree’s with new wired fencing, Plum Tree 022 and Pear Tree 021
See our Tree Guardians page for all your meet up information
016 Cherry Plum tree, clearing the grasses, pruning and recording our efforts
See our Tree Map for your nearest Hollingdean fruit or nut trees and let us know if you can care for it or if it needs attention. Training and support is available.
019 Pear Tree
Thank you to the volunteers who made it, we look forward to seeing you and some new faces next time
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Visit the Growing Hollingdean stall to find out about Hollingdean’s ponds, bog gardens, community gardens, orchards and wildflower areas. Like what you see? See how you could get involved and pick up a wildflower pot, too. We look forward to seeing you.
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This Monday, 7th October, from 3-5pm, we’ll be gathering at the top of Mountfields (at the bus stop) to rake up the grass clippings. A big thank you to Andrew, our local ranger, who has kindly cut the wildflower bank, leaving patches where the flowers are still in bloom. He’ll return to finish cutting next week.
We’ve allowed time for the seeds to settle, and now it’s time to clear the area. Raking up the clippings helps create the low-nutrient soil that wildflowers thrive in. Don’t worry, though—none of the clippings will go to waste! We’ll be placing them around the walnut trees in rings, which will provide extra nutrients as they decompose, while also preventing grass from competing with the trees.
Tree Guardians last met at Horton Road in September 2024
On Sunday 1st September 2024, Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardian volunteers saved a young walnut tree number 245 from being overtaken by bind weed. It lives at the back of Horton Road flats where cardboard was laid round the base and mulch added on top, giving this tree a better chance and take advantage of moisture and nutrients.
Walnuts
Walnut trees can be pruned from mid June to late September, giving air and light to walnuts ripening between September and December. If you would like to see a full grown walnut tree check out the two large beauties near the shops on The Crestway, number 044 and 045. If you are lucky the local squirrel may have left some walnuts for you.
Growing Hollingdean Tree Map
See our tree map for your nearest fruit or nut tree click here. Join us for a walk round, all abilities welcome.
Tree Guardian Volunteers Wanted
Everyone welcome to join us for two hours of light shovelling, weeding, walking, pruning or just for a chat. Get out and feel good this Autumn in your local area, we are so lucky to have green spaces around us. See what Thrive say here…. “Spending time in nature can be good for our health and wellbeing. You don’t need a garden of your own to benefit. A simple planter or time in a park can still work wonders.”
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Join Will from Froglife on Wednesday 2 October 2024, from 10am to 4pm
Join Will from Froglife and volunteers to add the finishing touches to the Hollingdean Park Football Pitch ‘Bog Garden’ (a shallow, boggy and plant-rich pond). We’ll be adding a layer of aquatic soil to achieve the perfect boggy texture, before planting-in some aquatic plants.
We also plan to create a woven ‘dead-hedge’ or ‘brash fence’ around the perimeter with cut branches. Meet us at 10am at Hollingdean Park Football Pitch, Lynchet Close, Brighton, BN1 7EY (above the play park and skatepark) (What3Words: oasis.candle.torn).
Session to last from 10am to 4pm. Parking available at meet point, or Hollingdean is serviced by bus no. 50 from Brighton Station, or is a 15-minute walk from Moulsecoomb Station.
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Growing Hollingdean and Hollingbury Hawks F.C., our Discovering Dewponds (Froglife) team are creating a bog garden pond for wildlife at Hollingdean Park Football Pitch and we’d love some help! All welcome and no prior experience is needed.
Thank you to the volunteers who join Will from Froglife to start the bog garden build at Hollingdean Park Football pitch on Friday 6th September. It was a very damp day and spirits where high. Find us Hollingdean Park Football Pitch, Lynchet Close, turn left up the track towards Lower Roedale allotments. What3Words: oasis.candle.torn.
Stage 2 – Monday 9th September 2024, 9am – 4pm, excavation of basin and trench to bed-in liner
Newt found at Hollingdean Park
While clearing the area the volunteers found, slow worms and a newt.
Stage 3 – Tuesday 10th September 2024, 9am – 4pm, lining bog-garden and beginning to fill with shingle and clay
Slow worm found at Hollingdean
Stage 4 – Wednesday 11th September 2024, 9am – 4pm, filling bog-garden with shingle and clay
Two big ton bags with shingle and clay to fill the bog garden.
Stage 5 – Thursday 12th September 2024, 11am until 4pm, planting-up bog garden, dead-hedge if materials available.
Stage 6 – Wednesday 2nd October 2024, Contingency workday, completion of dead-hedge.
Our next Tree Guardian meet up is this weekend, Sunday 1st September, 10-12pm, come and join us!
Number 23 Rowen TreeNumber 53 Cherry Plum Tree
On Sunday 4th August 2024 volunteers helped a Rowan and a Cherry Plum tree
Tree Guardian volunteers met on Davey Drive on Sunday morning 4th August, with the weather warming up our number 023 Rowen Tree needed support. This small tree is at the end of a line of trees that form a native hedge on one side of the triangle green on Davey Drive at the bottom of Horton Road. Leigh, Shelia, Rich and Sarahjane took turns to thump the two chestnut stakes into the ground and a hessian band was added to connect them. The grass was trimmed, cardboard laid and woodchip placed on top. We hope this tree with thrive now.
As the day heated up the volunteers decided to help one other tree. Number 015, a Cherry Plum tree is situated on the other side of the road. Gardening on a slope can be tricky, so the volunteers took their time. And enjoyed a good chat as well. Visited by a grasshopper and they remembered a time when there was lots of grasshoppers in the long grass! See our Tree map here
Grass hopperCherry Plums
Its time for harvesting our local fruit trees
Late August and September is a great time for harvesting, look out for blackberries, apples, cherry plums, pears and plums. Head down to your local community garden for vegetables and other soft fruits.
We look forward to seeing you at the next Tree Guardians on 1st September 2024, at the Lynchet Close shed at 10am. Everyone welcome, all abilities and ages, bring a smile and enthusiasm.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Prayer quiet space created at St Richards Church Community Garden on 20th July 2024
The final phase of the community garden was realised with the support from Growing Hollingdean Volunteers and the community at St Richards. All ages turned up to help plant a circle of lavender around the new sweet chestnut bench and arch.
Polly a Growing Hollingdean volunteer, planning the event
We also planted an olive, a lilac, a climbing rose and a fig tree which meant digging a huge hole to create a paving slab pot deep in the ground to contain its roots and encourage good fruiting.
We also harvested a lot of potatoes that will be shared through the Food Bank.
St Richards veg beds
Please come and enjoy the space for a quiet picnic or unwind with sunset views while enjoying the relaxing smell of lavender with a wider backdrop of wildflowers and pollinators and visiting birds.
Planting new plantsPray seat at St Richards
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Hollingdean Summer Street Fair, Sunday 18th August 2024 10am to 1pm
Sunday 18th August 2024, 10am to 1pm – join in the car less boot sale!
Inspired by Hollingdean car less boot sale in 2020, put your walking shoes on and get out looking for some bargains or set up a table, mat or rail outside your house / flat to sell! Click here for google map to view all the locations, you to be signed into google. Email Jo-seph on summerstreetfair@gmail.com with your address and what you be selling and he will add you to the map. Sign up now!
Growing Hollingdean and Froglife at Hollingdean Community Orchard
Growing Hollingdean and Froglife will be at Hollingdean Community Orchard, at the back of Hollingdean Park on 18th August as part of the street fair. This free event welcomes everyone. Join us and chat to the volunteers about Hollingdean’s wildlife pond and street tree’s. We look forward to meeting youand please share.
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
Wild flower patch at Hollingdean park and garden looking beautiful in July 2024 on Lynchet Close
In July 2024 on Lynchet Close
You are never to young to volunteer! The Apple Pickers pre-school Forest School group sowed wildflower seed in this new bed at Hollingdean Park when the new playground was installed (see in a previous post). All their efforts mean there are beautiful flowers to enjoy now and a host of insect life happily buzzing and pollinating. And later this summer, when the blossoms set seed, next year’s wildflowers will be sown. There will be even more to see next year. All the fruit trees, fruit bushes and plants across Hollingdean will have a better chance of producing good crops next season.
Numbers 020 & 021 Pear Trees on the Growing Hollingdean Tree Map, July 2024
Polly, Leigh, Abbie and Sarahjane, some of our volunteer tree guardians, enjoyed deciding which trees to take the mulch to on the first, on Sunday 7th July 2024. Shovelling up wood chip from the pile near Davey Drive shed they barrowed it to the trees.
Number 032 Mirabelle Plum Tree on the Growing Hollingdean Tree Map
Before mulching, Mirabelle Plum Tree 032After mulching, Mirabelle Plum Tree 032
021 Tree, attaching the strapping to hold the cage in placeMulched in a doughnut shape around the tree
Numbers 020 & 021 Pear Trees on the Growing Hollingdean Tree Map
Its has been a year since these two pear (Pyrus communis) trees were last weeded. Green growth around the trunk competes with the trees for nutrition. The volunteers enjoyed a laugh and chat while they weeded, pruned and added mulch. Please help yourself to the fruit.
Next Tree Guardians 4th August 2024
Tree Guardians is the First Sunday of the every month, we meet outside Hollingdean Park West side entrance, Lynchet Close shed, Brighton, BN1 7EY. Wear appropiate clothing, bring a drink and equipment will be provided.
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Two Tree Community Garden, Tavistock Down, Hollingdean is for everyone, June 2024
We are very lucky to have green spaces in Hollingdean
Would you like to learn about gardening and growing your own? Come and help Mel with weeding, planting and harvesting at Two Trees Community Garden, Tavistock Down, or just visit to enjoy the space and the crops. Mel has encouraged locals to use the green space outside their homes since 2014 when the garden began. Now it has some beautiful mature fruit trees, currant bushes and perennial vegetables such as globe artichokes. Would you like to share in the harvest at Two Trees? It is there for everyone, for free, and you can visit anytime.
Two Tree Community Garden, Tavistock Down, HollingdeanLettuces ready for cutting under the fleece, please help yourselfRedcurrants on the fence ready to pick, please help yourself
Mel says “Had much needed help today from a friendly neighbour filling up the water butt’s and a lovely visit from Leigh. Everyone is welcome to visit the garden whenever they want lots of mint needs harvesting“. How to make mint tea for free.
There is abundance of red currants ready for picking during the summer. Please go down and pick for yourself, your neighbour or your family a bowl full of delicious sunshine. You can even make red currant ice cream.
Mel will be at Two Trees Community Garden on Tavistock Down on Mondays, 3 to 5pm
The community garden is free for anyone to use. Whether it is for planting, weeding, sitting, meeting friends, making friends or just watching the wild life in our beautiful green spaces. Everyone is welcome.
How to find Two Trees Community Garden @TavistockDown
The gate entrance is accessible via south end of Tavistock Down, behind the play park, next to the turning to Thompson Road or use what3words, panel.fallen.trash.
Two Trees Community Garden, Tavistock Down, Hollingdean Brighton, since 2014
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Growing Hollingdean volunteer seen weeding on Brentwood Road in June 2024
Also seen weeding on Brentwood Road in June 2024
Mulching at Hollingdean Community Orchard
Thank you to the Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardian volunteers who have been up at the Hollingdean Community Orchard, clearing grass and spreading the wood chip around the base of the trees. This is all free exercise anyone can take part in, from shovelling woodchip and wheeling the barrow, to sitting and pulling up grass around the tree roots. We love to see new faces, even if it is just to chat about the weather.
Tree Guardians meet on Sunday 7th July 2024 at 10am on Lynchet Close
Join our volunteers on the first Sunday of the month, in all weathers at 10am to 12 midday. Please wear suitable clothing, sensible shoes, a drink and we will will be supply gloves and equipment. We look forward to meeting you.
Tree Guardian VolunteerHollingdean Community Orchard, June 2024Wood chip pile at the Orchard
Why gardening (and all out door activities) is good for your body… and its FREEhere
Thrive says Gardening is good for “Building muscle strength and flexibility, some gardening activities help keep your body flexible and build muscle strength. You can work out every major muscle group as you stretch, bend, lift, pull and push. This is particularly felt in your arms, legs, abdominals and back.” Plus it is fun!
Please go up and enjoy Hollingdean Community Orchard its behind Hollingdean Park. It is a beautiful quiet space for anyone to enjoy, and there is a bench and table for picnics.
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
Our volunteers planted wild flowers at the Hollingdean Family Hub, June 2024
Easy planting and chatter in the sunshine
A team consisting of Jo-seph, Claire, Asta, and a young helper joined forces to clear the large plants from the patch next to the Hollingdean Family Hub (it was Sure Start) on Brentwood Road. This effort allowed us to plant a variety of wild flower plugs provided by the Wildflowers Conservation Society at Stammer Park.
Wild flower planting in Hollingdean
The wildflowers we planted include: – Sweet Violet – Oxeye Daisy – Foxglove – Corn Cockle – Dropwort – Kidney Vetch – Corn Marigold – Duck Mullein – Poppy – Purple Toadflax – Selfheal – Rock Rose – Scabious.
Brighton & Hove Council expects to treat Hollingdean streets with toxic Glyphosate in July 2024.
Brighton & Hove Council expects to treat Hollingdean streets with toxic Glyphosate in July 2024
It would be wonderful to help keep Hollingdean a haven for wildlife and make sure we are taking care of our own health too. We can protect the insects that feed many small mammals and birds and pollinate our food supply by avoiding its use.
If you would like to prevent chemical treatment outside your home, protect your loved ones and save our wildlife, it is time to clear away and pavement plants and plants in the road gutters. Any green growth, not in flower at the time, will receive an oily drip treatment three times this year. Glyphosate is thought to contribute to a rise in neurological diseases like Parkinsons and builds up in our water supply from run off into drains and the water aquifers beneath us. Young children’s health is also particularly affected. And the massive drop in butterflies, bees and other insect populations is thought to be largely due to pesticide use. As Chris Packham and the Springwatch team have been telling us this summer – ‘one in six species in the UK is threatened with extinction and they need our help’. But anyone can be a wildlife hero and help to turn this problem around!
Would you like support from the council to keep your street free of Glyphosate this summer, contact the Community Clean Up team for equipment and to have the debris taken away. communitycleanup@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Join our group (click here) if you have any concerns.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Brighton & Hove City Council plan to use glyphosate on our pavements and gutters. On May 2024 volunteers where out street weeding to prevent glyphosate being used!
Hollingdean neighbours are taking action to prevent glyphosate coming to their streets!
Did you know Brighton & Hove Council are now treating green growth on pavements and gutters with glyphosate, which is a toxic herbicide/pesticide harmful to human health as well as animals, birds and insects? There is a very high risk that pollinating insects and small mammals and birds that feed on them will be drastically affected, which affects our food supply. It also leaches into our chalk aquifers and water supply. Read about the dangers here.
The first of three treatments will be applied in Hollingdean shortly. Not every area is being treated. You can see streets that will be affected on this map here
If you want to know more about how this situation has come about, Pesticide Action Network (PAN) explains here.
Don’t want Glyphosate? There is an alternative…
Councillors Time Rowkin and Theresa Fowler (Environment Committee) have told us that all green growth on pavements and in gutters in Hollingdean will be treated, except small wildflowers next to garden walls which are actually flowering.
So, although many of us love our wildflowers, people in Hollingdean and across the city are getting together to remove pavement plants before gylphosate is used. There are plenty of alternative ways of doing this, including manual weeding and using non-toxic household items such as vinegar, salt and hot water.
In Hollingdean neighbours in Hertford Road, Hollingdean Terrace, Barnet Road and Hollingbury Rise are already taking their own action. They are turning the problem around, getting to know their neighbours, enjoying tea and cake and chatting as well as weeding. The council’s Community Clean Up Team is helping as well by supplying equipment and taking the debris away.
Polly says “The Community Clean Up Team delivered all the tools and bin bags to us this afternoon. Residents in Hollingbury Rise cleared 2/3rds of the street & filled 14 bags in 1.5 hours and the Clean Up team have already collected everything.“
Would you like to get organized and protect yourselves, your loved ones and nature? Contact the Community Clean Up Team and sign up for equipment and support here communitycleanup@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Pavement plants
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Sometimes one of our Growing Hollingdean volunteers will organise an extra Tree Guardian session. On Sunday morning 19 May 2024, our guardians headed to Mountfield wild flower patch behind the bus stop on The Crestway. They staked and fenced the two Walnut trees on either corner of the triangle, which was hot work in the amazing Bank Holiday sunshine.
Join us the first Sunday of the month at 10am for Tree Guardian session
Meet our other volunteers Tree Guardians outside Hollingdean Park entrance, on Lynchet Close, Brighton, BN1 7EY. Wear sensible shoes, clothing and brink a drink. Gloves and tools will be provided. We look forward to seeing you.
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Apple Pickers DIY Forest School, Hollingdean Community Orchard Fridays 2-5pm, 0-5 year olds
Hollingdean Park Community Orchard Fridays 2-5pm, 0-5 year olds
Summer is well on its way and the community orchard behind the Children’s Centre in Hollingbury Park is in full leaf. The Apple Pickers is a new DIY forest school where parents and their preschool kiddos hang out on a Friday afternoon 3-5pm to explore and care for the green space. Would you like to join in?
Visitors Caroline Lucas MP and Sian Berry dropped by to say hello
This Friday we had some additional friends come to play when Caroline Lucas and Sian Berry stopped by to see what was going on. The little ones showed them our new pond, made this spring with the support of Froglife. The orchard is also home to some Bee Hotels, habitats for solitary bees which have been installed by University of Sussex as part of a research study.
The group is free and open to anyone that wants to stop by with their little ones, very friendly and informal and ideal if your kiddos need space to roam around! Pop along one Friday or email growinghollingdean@gmail.com for more info or any questions.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Two Trees Community Garden on Tavistock Down already had an old bath in the garden. Will from Froglife, Mel and Growing Hollingdean volunteers levelled the bath then scooped out the water, full of life, and put it to one side.
Mel at Two Trees Community Garden building a bog area
They lined the bath with a pond liner and hessian, added lots of large gravel and then top soil on top before planting the bog plants. Finally they replaced the water, teeming with wildlife, back into the bath. All the equipment, materials and additional ‘know how’ supplied by Froglife. Thank you so much to Will and the team.
If you would like join Mel for gardening at Two Tree Community Garden, her on 07543201670 or tdcommunitygarden@gmail.com or see the Facebook page.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
We absolutely adore our new mural; it seamlessly integrates with the existing artwork, infusing the area with vibrant character and captivating colors. Thank you to @manual_halftone also see https://www.davidoates.org for the amazing design and Carl and the crew who painted it @teamcommunityengagement_bhcc for the opportunity with EBD Grants and awarding us the grant. If you are a council tenant and have a project in mind it really is a great fund.
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On Thursday 9th May, Polly took a selection of veg and salad plug plants grown by Amos (RAGS) to Hollingdean Community Centre and Hollingdean Park. People were able to plant salad pots of cherry bush tomatoes, spring onions, lettuce, rocket, basil and thyme in the pots and compost supplied by Polly. All for free!
About 20 pots were planted up and taken home. The children were extremely excited and happy to get their hands dirty.
Froglife visited Lynchet Close, Three Beds Community Garden to help resident Growing Hollingdean volunteers install a ceramic sink wildlife pond into the garden. The hole was dug and the sink dropped to create a mini wildlife haven. Will from Froglife provided the plants and showed the volunteers the best way to plant them.
Thank you Will @Froglife for this photoThank you Will @Froglife for this photo
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Monday 6th May Bank Holiday 2024 volunteers gathered with Froglife for pond planting
It was a very wet Bank Holiday Monday at the Hollingdean Community Orchard behind Hollingdean Park. Our Growing Hollingdean volunteer gardeners are not scared of a bit of rain or mud though and turned out in force! We were joined by Will from Froglife. Will provided the specially selected native pond plants, and showed us how to wrap them in hessian and where to put them.
Volunteers planting pond plants at Hollingdean Community Orchard
Standing round the wildlife pond, Will guided us on where to place each plant at the correct depth. We had lots of giggles as we tried not to fall in! Especially as this would damage the pond liner and create a hole. Tea and cake was enjoyed by all as we chatted about the future of the new wildlife pond. Thank you to Will for sharing all his knowledge and expertise about wildlife ponds.
Hollingdean Community Orchard Wildlife Pond
Please visit the new pond at Hollingdean Community Orchard and see the results of everyone’s efforts. Let us know if your see any newts or frogs in the water. You can also help keep the wildlife happy and healthy by making sure nothing else goes into the pond and no new plants are added for now. It is especially important to make sure no diseases or non-native plants are introduced from other ponds. Thank you!
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
First Sunday in May 2024 volunteers improved protection for some of Hollindean’s trees
Staking Hawthorn Tree 031 for protection around the tree on Davey Drive and Horton Road corner
Seven Tree Guardians got together on 5 May 2024 on Davey Drive and the corner of Horton Road to stake and fence the fruit and nut trees.
This small green triangle has ten trees: Cherry, Hazel, Cherry Plum, Rowen, Mirabelle, Hawthorn and French Cherry.
Cherry Tree 029
See our tree map for more information. Two trees are being staked here. Wire fencing is added to protect the tree from mowing or strimming. Below you can see the kind of damage that can result from mowing or strimming a tree’s bark, which can let in disease and even result in the tree being killed.
Tree that has been damaged by lawn mower or strimmerLadybirds enjoying the aphids that harm the fruit on the treesApple Tree 033 Davey Drive Bus Stop Green Apple Tree staked May 2024
We found ladybirds (Latin name: Coccinellidae) on these trees feasting on the aphids that can harm the fruit, resulting in a poor crop. That is why we love our insects-they have a useful job to do!
Grow Your Own Food in Small Spaces Free Event, 9th May 2024, Hollingdean Community Centre, 1pm to 2.30pm
Thursday at Hollingdean Community Centre, 1pm to 2.30pm
Join Polly and Growing Hollingdean volunteers at Hollingdean Community Centre at 1pm to 2.30pm on Thursday 9th May 2024. We have spring onions, cherry bush tomatoes, lettuce, basil and thyme for you to plant up for free and take home to grow. See how they grow until they are ready to eat! All ages welcome.
Thank you to Andrew Amos at RAGS for growing these beautiful seedlings.
Real Junk Food Project ‘pay as you feel’ Café 12.30pm till 1.45pm
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Apple Tree 238 mulched with wood chip by volunteers
5th May 2024 Tree Guardians, 10am to 12pm @ Hollingdean Park entrance
Plum Tree 035 & 036 on Davey Drive
We meet at the noticeboard by the entrance to Hollingdean Park on the junction of Lynchet Close and Brentwood Close. You will see our shed on the opposite verge. Join us for tree gardening somewhere in the local area. Wear appropriate clothing / shoes for the weather and bring a drink. We can supply gloves and tools.
6th May 2024, Monday Bank Holiday, Froglife pond planting and picnic
Froglife pond and hibernaculum build in Hollingdean Park, May 2024
Hollingdean Park Community Orchard, 10am to 2pm
Join Growing Hollingdean volunteers on the May Bank Holiday with Froglife for aquatic pond planting and bank gardening and mulching the fruit trees. Fingers crossed the rain will have filled the pond by then! Please wear appropriate clothing and bring a drink. If you would like to celebrate the new pond with us, bring a picnic too. It is a great time to stop and chat, get together and catch up with our volunteers.
Froglife pond and hibernaculum build in Hollingdean Park, May 2024
Please share with friends and family and we look forward to seeing your there.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Growing Hollingdean – learn where your nearest fruit and nut trees and community gardens are in Hollingdean
Froglife information stall, learn about the new amphibian habitats being built in your area and how to build your own
Pesticide Action Network (PAN) – information stall. The only UK charity focused solely on tackling the problems caused by pesticides and promoting safe and sustainable alternatives in agriculture, urban areas, homes and gardens.
Raffle – local goodies donated by Infinity Food, £20 voucher Fiveways Fruits, 50p a ticket or £2 for a row (5 tickets)
Cakes and drinks – homemade cakes, tea, coffee and juice
Growing Hollingdean AGM meeting. Hear about our achievements and future plans
We will be accepting card and cash. All proceeds go towards funding our core costs.
We look forward to meeting you. Thank you to the Community Centre for hosting us, Amos, volunteers, Infinity Foods and Fiveways Fruits.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Hertford Road families got together on Sunday 17 March 2024 and cleared away pavement plants (sometimes called ‘weeds’). This year Brighton & Hove Council is reintroducing Glyphosate treatment to clear street weeds and wildflowers (treatments are planned for April, June and August). Hertford Road residents decided to clear the plants so that the council does not need to treat their street. Residents in Hanover and Elm Grove have already been informed by Councillor Tim Rowkins that their streets won’t be treated with Glyphosate as they don’t have a problem there, so we are hopeful that Hollingdean will also be as fortunate. After objections to glyphosate were raised Councillors promised that streets will be able to apply to opt out if they take care of their weeds and plants are not causing a trip hazard or blocking the way for wheelchair users.
Hertford Road pavement plants and street clean, 17 March 2024
Love them or hate then, pavement plants support a wide range of wildlife in our city
Did you know dandelions are one of the earliest reliable nectar sources? And as spring comes on bees, butterflies, insects and minibeasts are all looking for food. They pollinate blossom and plants which bloom and give us healthy crops later in the year. We really need thriving populations of insects, and you may have noticed that they are declining year on year. In 2023 Parliament how our food security is threatened as pollinating insects have declined by 60% in the last 20 years. And as we know, fewer insects means less bats, birds and the small mammals that feed on them, too.
And glyphosate is very bad for our own health too. Evidence shows it causes various cancers and neurological problems. Treating our streets brings the risk of toxic chemical on our shoes, wheels, hands and is also a danger to pets as well as wild animals. You might want to bear this in mind if your street is treated. Hands and feet off!
So… should we try to keep Glyphosate off our streets as well and how about out of our gardens, too?
It maybe even more important to do everything we can in our own spaces this year. The best way is to keep everything in balance in our own green spaces is gardening organically. Instead of using RoundUp (which is glyphosate) try removing problematic plants by using non-toxic methods such as boiling water, salt, vinegar, mulch and hand weeding. They may disappear altogether or be significantly weakened so that they disappear after a second treatment. Our gardens can thrive with nature blooming in every corner. Try this downloadable guide for dealing with a wide range of pests safely. Who knows, maybe your garden and our streets could become wildlife havens. How exciting it would be to watch that happen
Enjoy your gardening now that spring is truly here! And take care of those lovely pollinators to get the best blooms and biggest crops.
Hollingdean Community Centre Garden and Growing Hollingdean volunteers
Monday 22 April 2024, 2 to 4pm
Join Mel for some light gardening tasks involve pruning, weeding, mulching and general tidying. Tavistock Down Community Garden, Hollingdean, BN1 7BX. We look forward to meeting you.
Strength & Balance is important says Ageing Well website
“As we get older our muscle strength and balance reduces, and this increases our risk of having a life-changing fall. The good news is that we can reduce this risk, and the earlier we start, the better. Being active and doing simple exercises designed to improve strength and balance can make a real difference. Falls are not an inevitable part of ageing, and we can all take steps to help us stay strong and steady and keep our independence.” Other Aging Well event going on in Brighton, thank you to the Brighton & Hove Council. Six exercises to build strength and balance at home.
“The activities associated with gardening can help to increase overall muscle strength, balance, and flexibility, helping you stay mobile, and keeping the heart healthy. The tasks you do in the garden can also burn some serious calories, with weeding burning up to 400 calories an hour and studies finding that the physical exertion of working in a garden may help offset age related weight gain.” Says Abbeyfield
How to find Two Trees Community Garden @TavistockDown
The gate entrance is accessible via south end of Tavistock Down, behind the play park, next to the turning to Thompson Road or use what3words, panel.fallen.trash.
Two Trees Community Garden, Tavistock Down, Hollingdean Brighton, since 2014
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Tavistock Down community garden was designed in 2014 to create a space where people in the community could come and spend time together or alone.
The planting around the garden has been done in a way that people are welcome to stroll through and pick fruits and veg as they please. Any larger amounts of crops have always been passed on to the local Bright Store project or food bank to supplement peoples diets with healthy organic fruits and veg.
We are currently very much in need of more people to be involved so the garden community can grow and support more people. Volunteers of all abilities and backgrounds are welcome to help maintain the garden every 3rd Monday of the month between 3-5pm.Contact Mel on 07543201670 or tdcommunitygarden@gmail.com to let her know you will be attending and meet the locals. See the Facebook page.
Olive tree bed before plantingOlive tree bed after plantingMain bed before weedingMain bed after weeding
How to find Two Trees Community Garden @TavistockDown
The gate entrance is accessible via south end of Tavistock Down, behind the play park, next to the turning to Thompson Road or use what3words, panel.fallen.trash.
Two Trees Community Garden, Tavistock Down, Hollingdean Brighton, since 2014
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Building a dead hedge is fun and very easy. A dead hedge makes fantastic shelter, homes, food, nesting sites for a variety of wildlife from birds and mammals to insects, amphibians and reptiles. And it will help keep the pond safe for young children. The bark ‘beach’ will be a place for children to experience ‘pond-dipping’ activities in future, under the guidance of our Growing Hollingdean volunteers.
Stage two and three build of the Hollingdean Forest Garden Pond
Stage two – 20th March 2024, excavation and digging
Lizard seen at Hollingdean Park Orchard
Stage two of the pond dig was a clear crisp day, perfect for more digging. Growing Hollingdean volunteers and Will our Froglife expert at Hollingdean Park Orchard.
Continued on 21st March 2024
Dead hedge building March 2024Dead hedge for wild life to hide
Thursday was grey foggy March day and only one way to keep warm is to dig! Lots of fun was had by the volunteers.
Stage three – 3rd April 2024, level the pond edges, line the pond
Level the pond edges and add liner and add fence. Well done to all the volunteers.
PLUS 6th May 2024, Monday Bank Holiday, planting the pond and celebrating our fantastic achievements, 10am to 2pm
Join Growing Hollingdean volunteers on the May Bank Holiday with Froglife for pond planting with aquatic plants and bank planting. Please wear appropriate clothing and bring a drink. It is time to get together and celebrate as well.
Please share with friends and family and we look forward to seeing your there.
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Brentwood Road Notice BoardHollingdean Community Centre notice boardDavey Drive Notice BoardTavistock Road Notice Board
Growing Hollingdean volunteers have been out planting around the notice boards in Hollingdean. Making them a more friendly place for humans and wildlife in our new mini gardens. Seen in Hollingdean Park, Brentwood Road, Davey Drive, Tavistock Down and at the Hollingdean Community Centre.
Some of the plants planted are Rosemary (Salviarosmarinus), purple sage (Salviaofficinalis ‘Purpurascens’), English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and curry plant (Helichrysumitalicum). We hope you enjoy our efforts and thank you to the volunteers involved.
We would love you to get involved
Join in or just bring a smile, we look forward to meeting you.
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The sun returned last Friday, and local parents and some tiny helpers got busy sowing a wildflower patch in Hollingdean park. After the redevelopment of the park, a fairly large patch of earth was left without turf, and some Growing Hollingdean members spotted an opportunity – getting permission to seed the area to create a wildflower patch.
The chalky, stony soil in the park (and across this area) is ideal for wild flowers who don’t like a lot of rich soil. In wild places, and creeping into lawns and verges there are already quite a diversity of wild flowers in Hollingdean, and Growing Hollingdean has some projects to support and diversify this further.
Join us every Friday from 3 – 5pm in the Hollingdean Park Community Orchard
Sowing wildflower seeds at Hollingdean Park
Sowing wild flowers with preschool kids in March, 2024
Sowing wild flowers isn’t a tricky business – but it does require a bit of labour. The ground needs to be raked or ‘scarified’ first to create nooks and crannies for the seeds to nestle into before the seed is mixed with sand, scattered over the area, and stamped down. A group of pre-schoolers and their parents who meet every Friday in Hollingdean’s orchard behind the Children Centre agreed to take on the task!
Having toddlers help with seed distribution might not have resulted in the most even spread of seed, and balancing babies meant we only completed half the job, but we’ll be back to finish, and looking forward to seeing the flowers start growing over the year.
Apple Picker Parents DIY Forest School Club 2024
If you have preschool children, and enjoy being outside, the Apple Picker Parents DIY forest school club meet every Friday from 3 – 5pm in the Hollingdean Park Community Orchard. Bring a drink and a snack and warm play clothes and come and join the fun!
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Fun was had on a very wet morning on 17th March, some of our volunteers and their friends met up for a silent disco litter pick. Yes- they danced and sang round the Hollingdean estate!
Tickets were free on Eventbrite with only 14 headsets where avaiable and bookings went fast. Well done to those who took part, filling 23 bags of rubbish. What a great way to have a laugh, some fitness and do your bit for the community on a very, very dull Sunday morning!
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Growing Hollingdean volunteers seen at Hollingdean Park in February 2024
Hollingdean forest garden pond at Hollingdean Park in February, 2024
Growing Hollingdean volunteers had a happy and productive session, with the first stage of making a wildlife pond in the Hollingdean Park community orchard behind the Children’s Centre. Despite the weather being perfect for amphibians, volunteers and Froglife team, cracked on.
Vegetation clearing volunteers
We mapped the pond area with a rope and lifted the turf; started to dig down; moved an area of branches that will form a dead-hedge around the pond to keep all safe; cleared a new path to the compost bin; freed, weeded and mulched a little Plumcot tree. The area was transformed. And we had time for a chatty tea break and thought we really should have an award for new volunteers who pitch up on a rainy day. Our youngest digger was 3! Impressive!
Many thanks to all, especially our newcomers.
Free events and volunteer days for your diary
20th March 2024 – NEW DATE – Wednesday, 10am to 2pm,
Continue clearing vegetation and working on the excavation.
21st March 2024, Thursday, 10am to 2pm,
Complete excavation, dig trench and collect dead-hedging material.
3rd April 2024, Wednesday, 10am to 4pm
Level pond edges, line pond and dead-hedge.
6th May 2024, Monday Bank Holiday, 10am to 2pm
Pond planting (with aquatic plants) and bank planting.
Please share with friends and family and we look forward to seeing your there.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Growing Hollingdean volunteers the first Sunday, March 2024
Three apple trees received tree guardian love, care and attention on Sunday 3rd March 2024. We welcomed a few new volunteers this session and a total of nine people took part. We cleared the grass and weeds, staked, mulched and put new protective cages round the trees at the top of Brentwood Road. Pruning with our amazing ladder, which can be used on uneven group took place on the oldest of the three trees, trimming back some branches to give it room to breathe. This is best done as a group effort, so people can see the branches from all angles and identify which ones to remove.
Pruned and staked Apple Tree 078
To find your nearest fruit or nut tree near you, see our Tree Guardian Volunteers page for the Hollingdean Tree Map. Look closely at the tree’s with leaf buds and blossom. How to identify spring blossom here.
Jo-seph donated one of his birthday presents to the community in Hollingdean this month. He and Claire planted a wild pear sapling. They had some help from Donetsk and his friend, who willingly got stuck in hammering in sturdy chestnut stakes with the post driver. The stakes and fencing will help protect the young tree from mowers. And as it grows the young tree can be attached to the stakes to help it withstand strong winds that could otherwise rock it and weaken the root system.
Wild pears are thought to have been native in the UK since AD 995. As this one grows it will blossom beautifully in spring and tell us that winter is passing. A bit like it’s neighbour, the Hawthorn tree.
If you would like to donate a tree please contact us here.
Join us for the next Tree Guardians session on Sunday, 3rd March 2024
We also run monthly volunteer gardening sessions on the first Sunday of every month. These sessions provide practical fruit care training to volunteers, ensuring our local trees thrive. Meet 10am outside Sure Start Centre, Brentwood Road, Hollingdean Park. We look forward to meeting you.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Tree Guardians met twice this week to finish pruning, staking and fencing the apple trees on Brentwood Road. We are very lucky to have a good pruning ladder, saw and secateurs funded through Estate Development Budget (EDB) money. Before making a cut we talk through the options and decide on the best action. That way we all learn whilst we work.
089 Apple Tree Brentwood Road, 2024
We had a new volunteer on Friday who enjoyed post ramming. Some regular Tree Guardians came to support and help with their small children on what was a beautiful sunny day. A Victoria plum tree has been added to the soft fruit area near the entrance to Burstead Woods by Burstead Close – it will be exciting when we start to see the fruit! We also added a guard to an elder tree that has been damaged twice by contractor’s mowers, so hopefully this now has a chance to grow into a strong healthy tree that will provide pollen, nectar and fruit for the future.
The Woodland Trust says “Woods and trees can improve our health and wellbeing in many ways, including reducing stress, improving mood, and boosting the immune system.” We are so lucky to have this just a few streets away and for free. Also see “8 STEPS TO ACHIEVING LONG-TERM MINDFULNESS WITH WOODS AND TREES” here.
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Growing Hollingdean volunteers spent a couple of hours clearing the ivy and weeds away from the base of four cherry plum (Prunus cerasifera) trees. Then they laid cardboard down and covered it in a thick wood chip mulch. This bank is very steep, the volunteers managed to fill a bag of thrown beer cans from amongst the vegetation.
This is a wonderful area for insect and manuals to hibernate and feed
The Davey Drive bank is a very good area for the slow worms, they bask in the sunshine to warm up on this south facing bank. Frogs have also been seen here and in the gardens above. Please take time to look next time your passing.
Weeds, wild flowers and blossom are important to our insects
This area may look messy to our eyes but there will be bee’s, bugs and butterflies hibernating in the undergrowth. Such as the common blue butterfly which overwinters in larval form. The caterpillars will emerge in spring, feeding from the wild flowers beds here. The humming bird hawk moths are also seen in the summer on Davey Drive’s wild flowers and weeds.
We are lucky to have such beautiful nature on our door steps.
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Mulching and tidying Hollingdean Community Orchard
It was a quiet Tree Guardians session on this first Sunday in February. A light drizzle and the lure of Seedy Sunday in town, meant the numbers were very small. So small, in fact it was a solo mission! Hilary weeded and mulched a tree in the Hollingdean Community Orchard at Hollingdean Park, did a general litter pick, and started work battling with a cherry tree stump sending up suckers.
Hilary says “Whilst having a big team is great for powering through – sometimes its actually amazing what you can get done, and what you notice when your out on your own – including the starts of spring sprouts on the trees, and more bird visitors!”
Well done Hilary, it must have been wonderful to have this green space to your self.
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
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060 Apple Tree replace dead tree, protection added
New apple tree at ‘Two Tree Community Garden’, January 2024
Some of our fruit trees have died from disease or damage. We have been able to replace some of these. At Two Trees Community Gardens, Mel spotted a very young tree that had snapped and died. Our Tree Guardians replaced it with a young apple tree and learnt how to stake and tie a tree.
Sadly an 8-10 year old plum tree died from Fireblight disease, see it explained here. Local residents on the corner of ‘The Linkway’ and ‘The Crestway’ tried to help it survive by watering it but drought was not the problem this time.
037 Apple Tree replaces dead tree
However, if you have a young fruit tree (up to 3 years old) near you, please water it in dry weather. Laying a mulch around the roots as wide as the branches also helps and keeps grass at bay. This means the tree has less competition, more nutrients and moisture is not lost through evaporation. It all makes a big difference and the tree will thank you for it!
Next Tree Guardians session is on 4th February 2024
Meet Hilary outside Sure Start notice board on Brentwood Road at 10am or meet us up at Hollingdean Park Orchard for a couple of hours of mulching. Remember to bring yourself a drink. We look forward to meeting you.
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
One of our Tree Guardian volunteers, Polly, organised a Saturday session on Brentwood Road, with locals Pippa, Nic, Holly, Derek and Marko. Staking three apple trees and giving them a spring pruning. The sun was shining and everyone enjoyed a bit of strength training, post ramming stakes, weighing about 15kg. Great fun.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Can’t make our volunteering day on the first Sunday of the month?
Not a problem! There are additional days when we meet up. Our volunteers have a Whatsapp group and Jo-seph gathers our Tree Guardians together for extra volunteering days. Join us for fresh air, free fitness, for a couple of hours on Sunday morning. We will be either digging, staking, or mulching, combined with great chatter and laughter.
It was a cold bright Sunday in January 2024 when volunteers got together to plant young apple trees to replace the trees that had died. Our trees live in very harsh conditions, staking keeps them safe from the wind and strimmer’s. Growing Hollingdean volunteers raise money to buy stakes and acquire free wood chip locally.
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
Growing Hollingdean Volunteers free activity in January 2024
Jenni from the Permaculture Trust Partnership shared her knowledge how to prune the fruit trees with a small group of Tree Guardians. It was a very cold and dry Saturday morning on the 13th January. Lots of laughter and banter was had to help remember to all the techniques.
Polly supported pruning decisions and discussions around pruning practice as well as ladder safety use. We pruned two pear trees on The Old Green Community Garden, tidied, picked up litter and removed animal poo from the area. Some people say January is a month of no gardening!
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians have been busy in December, 2023. Volunteer group looking after local fruit and nut trees.
Mulching and pruning our local fruit and nut trees
Jo-seph gathered volunteers on most weekends in December to mulch, prune and garden around our local fruit and nut trees. Wood chip was spread to mulch the trees by Stevens Road flats. Grey days are the perfect reason to get out into the fresh air for a bit of exercise and meet up with lovely locals. We all feel good in just a couple of hours of volunteer gardening. Come and join in!
We prune fruit and nut trees “To cut out disease, damage and deadwood: pruning to remove these three Ds is considered a way to promote a healthy, productive tree.” Says Wade Muggleton at Permaculture Magazine see the website for the full and interesting article.
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Gardening and the Real Junk Food lunch in December, 2023
Polly and Abbie our Growing Hollingdean volunteers, enjoyed some gardening at Hollingdean Community Centre today and lovely lunch with the Real Junk Food Project. They also bumped into Svenja and Emma, Tree Guardians with their gorgeous babies.
Polly says“Abbie and I removed weeds from the flowerbeds and spread nine bags of woodchip around the base of the trees, oon the beds and baby walnut at the top of Thompson Road. I moved a climbing rose from the planter to the flowerbed, planted Shasta daisies and miscanthus grass, spread some delicious compost created by the Tumblr and added cyclamen from Shirley the Centre Manager to the hanging baskets and planter.”
We recommend popping down to see the garden at the Hollingdean Community Centre and enjoy the events. The Real Junk Food Project is on Thursdays 12.30pm to 1.45pm @ Hollingdean Community Centre – donations or pay as you can.
If interested in helping with the community centre garden please email Polly via growinghollingdean@gmail.com or see where your local garden is here.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Mulching the local fruit and nut trees in November 2023
The Brentwood Road Tree Guardians have come together as a group of local residents to look after the fruit and nut trees a few times a year. In November they gathered woodchip and used it to mulch their local apple, cornelian cherry, quince and hazel trees; and the elder, gooseberry and currant bushes. This helps to keep weeds down and hold in moisture around the roots. It also helps define growing areas and protect them from council strimmers/mowers. These trees, shrubs and bushes were planted by Brighton Permaculture Trust and Growing Hollingdean, see our tree map here.
Qunine Tree 087 and Apple Tree 086, Brentwood Road, November 2023Elderflower tree 082, Apple Tree 080, Cornelian Cherry Tree 080, Brentwood Road, November 2023Brentwood Road, November 2023
Why use woody mulches around the garden? The RHS says…
Left to right Nicky, Karen, Polly and Holly, Brentwood Road Tree Guardians
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
For FREE Tree Care event on Sunday 3rd December 2023, 10am -12pm
This week is National Tree Week 2023 and this weekend Hollingdean’s Tree Guardian volunteers are celebrating with a special FREE Tree Care event on Sunday 10am -12pm… Meet us by the Children’s Centre, Lynchet Close at 10.00 on Sunday 3rd December 2023. New volunteers are very welcome, especially if you are interested in the fruit and nut trees on Stephen’s Road, Horton Road and Davey Drive. It is friendly and fun in the fresh air and no special knowledge is needed. Training given.
Did you know… Hollingdean is really special with 282+ fruit and nut trees in our verges and green spaces (plums, apples, pears, mulberry’s, figs, hazels, walnuts and more). They all need regular mulching and pruning to produce beautiful crops for everyone to share. Mulching around a fruit tree can double its chances of survival and triple its growth in its first 3 years! And, growing trees in cities gives us much needed shade helping to cool temperatures by up to 12 degrees? That’s a lot of benefit from our lovely trees. #NationalTreeWeek or #GrowATree or https://treecouncil.org.uk/
We look forward to meeting you.Thank you to our regular volunteers.
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Lots of chatter could be heard at the Mountfield bus stop as Growing Hollingdean volunteers gathered with tools and spring bulbs. Wild flowers seeds were harvested and we piled the cut back vegetation around the two nut trees. This creates habitat for over wintering insects whilst it breaks down into mulch to feed the walnut trees. Where flowers were still in bloom, we left them for the bees to enjoy. Claire bought native narcissi and snowdrops spring bulbs with funds donated by St Matthias. We planted them round the edges of the patch.
Lots of insects found in the wild flowerbedVegetation piled up to mulch the walnut trees and shelter over wintering insects Spring bulbs planted for everyone to enjoy
Finally, the ground was raked and seeded with yellow rattle, to germinate in the spring. Yellow rattle are wildflowers that seek out the roots of grasses growing nearby. They draw water and nutrients from grass roots, suppressing grasses by as much as 60%, which makes room for other wildflowers to bloom. This helps create a more biodiverse and colourful meadow. Watch this space to see how it all works next year!
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
Thank you to the volunteers who joined Leigh outside the 119-129 flats on Horton Road Sunday 12th, it was a very grey November day. Leigh applied for funding via the councils Estate Development Budget to pay for plants to extend the already existing and wonderfully successful flowerbed. You may have spotted it in the summer, at the top of Horton Road.
Lots of giggles were had planting by numbers
Yes, we actually planted by numbers!! using a supplied selection of plants and placement roll from an amazing company called ‘Garden on a roll‘. Plus we shared some deliciously home baked chocolate cookies and fresh apple juice. The only challenge was planting on the slope! Leigh choose a ‘Sensory Border’ and a ‘English Cottage Garden Border’ at 2 metres long per bed with 20 plants in total. We all enjoyed the company, fresh air and the satisfaction of a good job done. Watch this space to see how it grows.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Growing Hollingdean volunteer Sheila told us stories in the sunshine
The 23rd of September turned out be a sunny day in the community orchard and the perfect setting for an afternoon of autumnal storytelling.
We made a circle of picnic blankets and Sheila wove a mix of stories from around the world with help from some young friends, and those gathered joined in to make a beautiful and unique event.
There were snacks and drinks, and a wide range of ages coming together under the bunting to celebrate the turning of the year.
If you would like to be informed about the next Free event, please subscribe here.
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On Sunday 12th November 2023, 10.30 to 12.30 at Flats 119-129
Come and join us to extend to our flowerbed! We will be adding more plants to the flower bed in front of flats 119-129 Horton Road, with the help of Growing Hollingdean volunteers and their gardening equipment. No experience needed, we will all be learning together.
Horton Road’s new flowerbed has been really successful this year!
Be part of this exciting project to bring our community together, improve our green spaces for us and for the insects and bee’s to benefit too. Join us to see the flowerbed grow, we look forward to seeing you there.
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Will and Lily from Froglife joined Growing Hollingdean volunteers in October half-term week to put on a great event in the park!
Hollingdeaners of all ages learnt how to build wildlife ponds and other habitats for frogs, toads, newts and other wild creatures. Some people took home kits to make their own small pond at home. And lots more joined in chatting, drawing and building bug hotels, too. Froglife also helped people put their own pond or bog garden on the Hollingdean map showing how wildlife corridors can flourish in every part of Hollingdean.
Froglife will be doing more to help us build ponds and other habitats in 2024
If you would like to join in more Froglife fun, know more about amphibians and reptiles and have your say about new ponds, join us here to get regular updates. We look forward to seeing you next time.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteers who made this possible.
Tuesday 24th October 2023 10am to 3pm in Hollingdean Park by the Orchard
Froglife and Growing Hollingdean are organizing a FREE event at Hollingdean Park, Lyncet Close on 24th October 2023 during half term. Froglife have funding to create wildlife areas with bog gardens and ponds in Hollingdean. The event will include fun activities, FREE mini pond kits and advice on creating habitats like a Hibernacula. We also want to hear your ideas about these exciting projects. Come and join in on the fun activities for all ages.
Frogs hiding in the undergrowth in Hollingdean ParkFrog found in the Old Green Community Garden Pond
Frogs, toads, newts and more…
How can we attract more wildlife to our green spaces?
You can attract more wildlife to your green space, join us and pick up a FREE mini pond kit and a ‘Just Add Water’ pond guide to take home! Also:
Tell us about the wildlife you have seen in Hollingdean.
Where you think new ponds and other wildlife friendly habitats could be made.
Find out how to make a mini pond or bog garden.
Learn how to make wildlife friendly habitat like a Hibernacula.
Free entry, everyone of all ages are welcome. We look forward to meeting you.
For more information see the Froglife website here.
Thank you to the October 2023 Tree Guardian Volunteers
Our Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians volunteers gathered together at Hollingdean Park orchard on the first Sunday of September, 2023. We gave the fruit tree’s a much needed woodchip bed to suppress the tall grasses, lots of digging and wheel barrowing share amounts the group. Repairs were also made to the bee boxes and raspberries were harvested. We also found lots of insects and a frog hiding under a log.
It was a fun two hours of free fitness, fresh air and with much laughter, perfect for our metal health and wellbeing.
Next Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians 5th November 2023
The next Tree Guardian gathering is Sunday morning, 5th November 2023 at the Sure Start Centre, the entrance to Hollingdean Park. We look forward to seeing you.
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
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Richard, a Hollingdean resident has kept Bee’s in his back garden for 40 years
In August 2023, Hollingdean resident Richard hosted a beekeeping session in his garden, where he’s been keeping Bees for four decades. Attendees of the Growing Hollingdean volunteers learned about bee hives and the behaviour of Bees. Richard also introduced them to a broad frame, where the queen bee lays her eggs.
Thank you Richard for a wonderful few hours in your garden, for showing us your bee hives and answering all our questions. We all had a fantastic afternoon and enjoyed your honey very much.
Growing Hollingdean volunteers enjoyed learning about Bee hives from a local resident Richard, August 2023
“Hello good people of Growing Hollingdean. Thanks to those of you that came to see my bee’s on Saturday and brought such good cake. In the photo you see me holding a broad frame. The queen lives in the broad box where she lays her eggs i.e. lower part of the bee hive. These Bee’s are from a young hive, a swam caught in the summer from an apple tree in Davey Drive.”
Keep up the good work, Richard
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
The Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians volunteers were out and about with our local tree expert, Jenni. She showed us how to harvest fruit and thin it to create space for the remaining apples, pears and plums to grow bigger. Why not try picking some yourself now? It is ready to eat and there for everyone to share.
Thank you to all the September volunteers
We are look forward to meeting for the next Tree Guardians session on Sunday 1st October 2023. Contact Growing Hollingdeanhere if you would like to join us. Or meet us at the Hollingdean Children’s Centre (Sure Start) on Brentwood Road at 10am. Bring water and suitable clothes for the weather. Training and support is given. We will wait 10 minutes before going to our location. See you there!
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Join us next time Sunday 5th November 2023, 10:30am – 12:30pm
A massive thank you to Polly and Sarahjane from Growing Hollingdean, and to our other volunteers, for coming along to the Old Green Community Garden‘s September work day, 2023. After having to cancel our August session, the garden was looking at tad neglected in the morning, but everyone chipped in to battle the bindweed, prune the plants, and tend to the trees, and by lunchtime, everyone’s hard work had paid off and it was looking spectacular.
Thanks to Michelle for bringing along the refreshments – we were more than happy to make sure the chocolate biscuits were all eaten rather than being left to melt in the sun!
A cup of tea is very refreshing in the heat!
Our next work day is on Sunday 5th November, so if you fancy a little spot of gardening in the morning before some fireworks in the evening, please come and join us at The Old Green on Stanmer Street, Hollingdean from 10:30am – 12:30pm.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Join Mel at Two Trees Community Garden the 3rd Monday of the month, 18 September 2023, at Tavistock Down Community Garden
18 September 2023, 3-5pm
Mel has been busy adding compost and top dressing the largest of the three flower beds in the community garden. She plans to move plants to here from another part of the garden. On Monday 18 September, Mel and her volunteers will be doing some light weeding and mulching the fruit bushes and would appreciate your help or just join us for a good old natter!
It’s very satisfying removing the weeds in the community gardens
Every 3rd Monday of the month between 3-5pm at the Tavistock Down Community Garden. There are a variety of small gardening jobs requiring your help. Mel will be there to advise you. All skill levels welcome, from beginners to expert. We recommend you bring gloves, a drink and wear sensible shoes, all other tools will be provided.
Please pop over and lend a hand or just for a chat. We look forward to meeting you! Contact Mel on 07543 201 670 or tdcommunitygarden@gmail.com to let her know you will be attending and meet the locals.
Saturday 23rd September 2023, at 3pm till 4pm @ Hollingdean Park Orchard
Immerse yourself in the magic of storytelling, as one of our local volunteers captures tales of adventure, mystery and wonder this Autumn Equinox. The story is for all ages and tickets are available by donation on Eventbrite, click here.
Under 18s will need to be accompanied by an parent / guardian. Hot drinks and snacks will be sold on the day (cash or card accepted).
We hope to see you there!
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
The Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians were at Merevale Brighton in August 2023
Join our group of volunteers in Hollingdean
The Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians were at Merevale on 13 August 2023. Clearing the weeds from around the trees and installing new tree guards. One of the old tree guards was causing more damage than helping. These guard protect our trees so they grow big and strong. See our tree map.
We are looking forward to meeting again for the next Tree Guardian session on Sunday 3rd September 2023. Contact Growing Hollingdeanhere if you would like to join in and to let you know where we will be. One of our Growing Hollingdean volunteers will give everyone training and support. Please wear suitable clothing for the weather and bring a drink and a snack if needed. Equipment will be supplied (under 18’s must to be accompanied by a parent/guardian).
Thank you to all the August volunteers for helping out in Hollingdean
Our Tree Guardian Sessions run the first Sunday 10am-12noon every month. We meet outside Hollingdean Children’s Centre (Sure Start) on Brentwood Road. We will wait 10 minutes before going to our location.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Gardening behind the flats on Horton Road, Hollingdean
Leigh, one of Growing Hollingdean volunteers was given free plants from a local business. These plants were going to be thrown away and Leigh was there to rescue them. Together with free cardboard and woodchip, Leigh and Abbie set to creating a new flower bed behind the flats on Horton Road, Hollingdean.
Using skills learnt from a previous planting day lead by Jenny in the autumn of 2022, Leigh and Abbie picked a spot near a plum tree to bring in the insects to pollenate the tree and created a beautiful flowerbed for everyone to enjoy.
Create a flowerbed near you
If you would like to learn how to create a flowerbed near you, join us on one of our volunteer session and meet the gang who can help.
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
We will be applying to the next Estate Development Budget (EDB) for funding for murals being painted on our two green sheds and the block of flats opposite Hollingdean Park. Carl who painted and designed the other two block of flats next to the ally way between Merevale and Brentwood Road in Hollingdean will be painting this third one.
Growing Hollingdean Shed Mural to Hide Graffiti Tagging, designed by CarlHollingdean building Graffiti designed by Carl
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
All skill level gardeners welcome, from beginners to expert
Every 3rd Monday of the month between 3-5pm at the Tavistock Down Community Garden. There are a variety of small gardening jobs requiring your help. Mel will be there to advise you. All skill levels welcome, from beginners to expert. We recommend you bring gloves, a drink and wear sensible shoes, all other tools will be provided.
Please pop over and lend a hand or just for a chat. We look forward to meeting you! Contact Mel on 07543 201 670 or tdcommunitygarden@gmail.com to let her know you will be attending and meet the locals. See her Facebook page.
How to find Two Trees Community Garden @TavistockDown
The gate entrance is accessible via south end of Tavistock Down, behind the play park, next to the turning to Thompson Road or use what3words, panel.fallen.trash.
Two Trees Community Garden, Tavistock Down, Hollingdean Brighton, since 2014
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
The Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians were at Dryads Community Orchard on Golf Drive in Hollingdean the first Sunday in July 2023. Jo-seph, our lead Tree Guardian, showed everyone how to use a scythe and cut their way through the long grass. After a safety briefing other gardening and tree care tasks were carried out, such as weeding and mulching around the trees and the newly planted soft fruit bushes.
Trees found at Dryads Community Orchard 090 Plum, 091 Apple, 092 Apple, 093 Apple, 094 Black Elder, 095 Apple, 096 Apple, 097 Apple & 098 Hazel Hedge
Thank you to all the July volunteers for helping out in Hollingdean
We are looking forward to meeting again for the next Tree Guardian session, change of date to Sunday 13th August 2023. Contact Growing Hollingdeanhere if you would like to join in and to let you know where we will be.
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
The role would include organising a 2-hour litter-picking session in Hollingdean once a month. You need to be available to do so on a weekend. This role should take around 4-5 hours a month, to include organising the session and the litter picker event.
Join our team!
Preferably, you will be first aid trained; if not, we can arrange training for you. We have a meeting once a month, and now and then you need to come. If you are interested, please send a cover letter to our email, info@growinghollingdean.org.uk
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
Two Trees Community Garden, Tavistock Down 3rd Monday of the month between 3-5pm
Monday 17 July 2023, 3-5pm at Two Trees Community Garden, Tavistock Down
Join Mel in the garden to set up the new vegetable beds in Two Trees Community Garden on Tavistock Down, see map here. She will be adding compost to the new beds, weeding under the fruit bushes and picking currants. Bring a containers to take home your pickings, also a drink and a smile.
New vegetable beds at Two Trees Community Garden ready to plant up
Volunteers of all abilities, ages and backgrounds are welcome to help maintain the garden every 3rd Monday of the month between 3-5pm
Contact Mel on 07543201670 or tdcommunitygarden@gmail.com to let her know you will be joining her or just turn up.
Tomato plants at Two Tree Community Garden
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
Volunteers at Growing Hollingdean Plant Stall & Free Activities at the Lucky Dip 2023
Growing Hollingdean Plant Stall
It was wonderful to see the return of the Hollingdean Lucky Dip, this time around at St. Richards Church. Growing Hollingdean volunteers had a good showing, with a plant stall, and three different activities.
Free Growing Food in Small Spaces
‘There was also a chance to get started with growing your own with Growing Food in Small Spaces, by planting up a pot of herbs, salads or vegetables to take home to a windowsill, balcony, or sunny corner. A total of 16 pots where planted up and taken home for free on the day.
Decorating Earwig Bell Houses
First up was making and decorating Earwig Bell Houses to encourage aphid munching creatures and pollinators to move in and protect our fruit trees.
Free Mini Water Garden making
Finally, Growing Hollingdean volunteers hosted a water garden on behalf of the Lucky Dip team to make a mini pond-in-a-pot with free water plants and containers.
With all the activities it was a lovely, relaxed day with people dropping in and out and getting involved! Thanks to the Lucky Dip crew and other stall holders for bringing the Lucky Dip back to Hollingdean once again. It’s always a lovely community to be part of. Look forward to seeing you at our next event. For the Lucky Dip Facebook page click here.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Polly our Growing Hollingdean volunteer Growing Food in Small Spaces Free Event at Hollingdean Community Centre was in June 2023
It was a wonderful opportunity to meet with our wider community of all ages from three years to teenagers, families and retired people. 19 beautiful pots of herbs and salad were planted up and taken home for free at Hollingdean Community Centre in June. Claire and Polly our Growing Hollingdean volunteer for Grow Food in Small Spaces helped locals choose their plants. At our Hollingdean Park event, Joseph another Growing Hollingdean volunteer helped plant up 15 tasty pots.
A big thank you to Amos from RAGS
A big thank you to Amos from RAGS (Roedale Allotments and Gardens Society) for donating the these small plants he grew rainbow chard, Pak choi, lettuce, chives, spring onions, basil, coriander and thyme. Polly grew tomato, spinach and Pak choi plants.
To hear about all future events, sign up to our newsletter. We look forward to meeting you.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Our Growing Hollingdean volunteers got together for some local gardening
A couple of our Growing Hollingdean volunteers got together today to do a few hours of gardening on the Horton Road flower bed. They also added recycled cement roofing tiles to support the soil for the plants and mulch. They also added in a few more plants for the empty patches. And of course tea, biscuits and chat was involved. Here is what our volunteer says.
“Today we dug in some roof tiles, to stop wood our chip from falling onto the entrance pathway and to give our new flower bed some structure. It looks really good. I would not have been able to do any of this, without the support and enthusiasm of other fellow Growing Hollingdean volunteers. Being part of this great group gives me a great sense of community. We help each other out, we learn, we watch things grow, not to mention the benefit for the local environment, the joy from the neighbours and passers by.“
Leigh, Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardian
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Growing your own food in small spaces with Growing Hollingdean volunteers
Lucky Dip 23 will be at St Richards Church on 9 Beal Crescent, Hollingdean
Growing your own food in small spaces with help from our Growing Hollingdean volunteers
Ever wanted to grow your own salad and herbs, but don’t have the room?
Growing Hollingdean will have a ‘Grow Food in Small Spaces’ stall at the ‘Lucky Dip 23’ this year. Join us and plant up your FREE window pot with lovely fresh salads and herbs. We have the seedlings, the compost and the containers. Just bring yourself! No experience needed, all welcome, turn up and have some fun at St Richards.
There will also be stalls, plants, kids activities, open mike, music, dancing, crafts, make your own pond, tombola, a café and of course a lucky dip. Free entry!
Growing Hollingdean volunteers will be there to help you with ‘Grow your Own in Small Spaces’. We look forward to seeing you.
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
‘Growing Food in Small Spaces’ with be at Hollingdean Community Centre
A Free Event for all, from 1.30pm to 4pm, Thompson Road, Hollingdean
Ever wanted to grow your own salad and herbs, but don’t have the room? Join us and plant up your FREE window pot with lovely fresh salads and herbs. We have the seedlings, the compost and the containers. Just bring yourself! No experience needed, all welcome, turn up and have some fun at Hollingdean Community Centre on Thursday 29th June 2023.
Growing Hollingdean volunteers will be there to help you and help answer any questions you may have about ‘Grow Your Own in Small Spaces’.
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
From 3pm to 5pm the Growing Hollingdean volunteers will be there!
Want to grow your own salad and herbs, but don’t have a garden? Join us and plant up your FREE window pot with lovely fresh salads and herbs. We have the seedlings, the compost and the containers. Just bring yourself and your neighbours! No experience needed, all welcome, just turn up and have some fun at Tavistock Down Community Garden. We look forward to meeting you.
Tavistock Down Community Garden, Growing Food in Small Spaces Free Event on Monday 26th June 2023
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
First Sunday in May, our Tree Guardians where on Horton Road, Hollingdean. 032 Mirabelle Tree
Our local volunteer Tree Guardians spent a couple of hours clearing weeds and grasses away from the base of some fruit and nut trees. Based near the community notice board on Horton Road on a this beautiful May Sunday morning.
A couple of the Cherry Plum trees required a little pruning today
Jenni talked us through the gardening process with some health and safety tips before we started. She also explains how, when and what to prune on this Cherry Plum tree. She also taught us the correct way to use the Growing Hollingdean secateurs.
First Sunday in May our Tree Guardians where on Horton Road gardening, this is one of the Cherry Plum trees in fruit
See our Growing Hollingdean tree map here to find all the tree’s we care for.
If you love being in nature, join us the first Sunday of the month for a spot of community gardening and chatter.
Join our volunteer Tree Guardians group next month
Join our volunteer Tree Guardians for a few hours on the first Sunday of the month. A small group of locals get together to weed, mulch and learn about the fruit and nut trees in Hollingdean.
Email to say you are coming or just turn up, we usually meet at the Hollingdean Park entrance community notice board. See you on the 2nd July 2023!
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Have you ever noticed the many fruit and nut trees around Hollingdean? They were planted by Brighton Permaculture Trust (BPT) and are now in the care of Growing Hollingdean by our Tree Guardian volunteers.
Growing Hollingdean volunteer Tree Guardians, May 2023
They were plant to increase biodiversity, food security, and to reduce carbon while capturing carbon.
Would you like to become a Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardian?
Our Tree Care Sessions run the first Sunday 10am-12noon every month. We meet outside Hollingdean Children’s Centre (Sure Start) on Brentwood Road. We will wait 10 minutes before going to our location.
One of our Growing Hollingdean volunteers will give everyone training and support. Our task is to care for the trees by clearing the weeds, mulching with woodchip, pruning dead branches and checking for damages and disease. See our Tree Map for all the trees in our area.
Please wear suitable clothing for the weather and bring a drink and a snack if needed. Equipment will be supplied (under 18’s must to be accompanied by a parent/guardian).
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Sunday 30th April 2023, 10am – 12pm @ Hollingdean Sure Start Centre
Come for a guided walk with us to explore the beauty of 250+ fruit and nut trees across Hollingdean. While the apple and cherry trees are in blossom. We will end in a orchard where we can talk with like minded people.
Growing Hollingdean Blossom Walk April 2023
Tickets are free on Everbrite
Click here for your free ticket. Please wear suitable footwear and clothing (under 18s need to be accompanied by an parent or guardian).
Everyone had a fun day, lots of bags of plants and big smiling faces
Growing Hollingdean AGM volunteers April 2023
Thank you to Hollingdean Community Centre for having us and to our Growing Hollingdean volunteers. Our plant and seed swap (or donation) tables where very busy and successful. Polly our Growing Hollingdean volunteer for Grow Food in Small Spaces helped locals plant up 20 pots of herbs and salad and taken home for free. Lots of smiling faces all round.
Growing Hollingdean AGM meeting and slide show April 2023
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
Tavistock Down, Two Trees Community Garden Hollingdean Brighton, 2023
Also know as Tavistock Down Community Garden is a volunteer run garden established in 2013, aiming to provide the mental health benefits of working in the garden, with the goal of creating a supportive community. They grow lots of perennial fruits such as gooseberries, currants and raspberries to name a few.
All gardening volunteers welcome
Volunteers of all abilities and backgrounds are welcome to help maintain the garden every 3rd Monday of the month between 3-5pm.
How to find Two Trees Community Garden
The gate entrance is accessible via south end of Tavistock Down, behind the play park, next to the turning to Thompson Road.
Tavistock Down, Two Trees Community Garden Hollingdean Brighton
Contact Mel on 07543201670 or tdcommunitygarden@gmail.com to let her know you will be joining her and meet the locals.
Two tree community garden April 2023
Mel also volunteers with the Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians. See our other Community gardens here.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
This morning the Tree Guardians had the pleasure of installing several bee hotels and a new information sign in Hollingdean Community Orchard, behind the Sure Start Centre.
Beth Nicholls from Sussex Uni, Brighton
These were provided by Beth Nicholls from Sussex Uni with support from Brighton Permaculture Trust. After a cold start, it turned into a beautiful sunny morning and several bees came out to see what we were up to! The orchard is looking stunning as the blossom starts to come out – why not visit and have a picnic.
Tree Guardians helping out in the Hollingdean Orchard
Tree Guardians are a group of volunteers who get together once a month to care for the local fruit and nut trees.
University of Sussex pollination research, Hollingdean, Brighton
Please go to Hollingdean Park and see the orchard and it beautiful new sign.
St Richards Church Community Garden, Hollingdean Sunday 16th April 2023
We will be planting flowers, shrubs and sewing seeds
Join us for our next gardening event at St Richards Church, Beale Crescent, from 1.30 – 4.30pm The No dig and raised beds have been made – now we’re ready to do some planting! All welcome.
“Hi there, this post is from Polly, one of the founding members of the Growing Hollingdean Collective. I have lived in Hollingdean for since 2011 and love the community here. I am studying a Diploma in Permaculture Design and am very passionate about Community Gardens. As part of my diploma I have provided designs for The Old Green and Hollingdean Community Centre. I am now working with another local resident Hilary who has studied an RHS Level 2 in Horticulture towards a design for St Richards Church.“
St Richards Church Community Garden, Hollingdean and its volunteers
See our video our second workday in March. We look forward to seeing you next time.
Growing Hollingdean plant sale at Hollingdean Children’s Centre, Cherry Tree Nursery
Growing Hollingdean is looking for a knowledgeable and enthusiastic person to organise activities for more local people to enjoy being outdoors in nature; and learn about taking care of the trees, wildflowers, gardens and nature around Hollingdean (April- September 2023). If this sounds like you, please send details of your knowledge and experience and how you will carry out the work to Info@growinghollingdean.org.uk by March 24th 2023. We aim to agree a contract by 31st March 2023. You will also need to provide evidence of self-employed status. Details below.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardian Volunteers at Two Tree Community Garden, March 2023
Have you ever noticed the many fruit and nut trees around Hollingdean?
They were planted by Brighton Permaculture Trust (BPT) and are now in the care of Growing Hollingdean (GH) by our Tree Guardian volunteer. They were planted to increase biodiversity, food security, and to reduce carbon while capturing carbon.
Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardian Volunteers on a grey Sunday morning, March 2023
Would you like to become a Tree Guardian? Or come to our Tree care session?
We can give you training and support. The Tree Care Sessions run the first Sunday 10-12pm every month. Meet outside Hollingdean Children’s Centre (SureStart) and we will wait 10 minutes before moving to our location. Our tasks will be to mulched with woodchips, prune, check for damage and disease. Under 18’s need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please wear suitable clothing for the weather and bring a drink and a snack if needed.
Well done to those who joined us on a grey March Sunday morning!
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Growing Hollingdean Volunteers creating Polka Dot Wild Flower Beds. Planted in Hollingdean. February 2023.
Our Growing Hollingdean volunteers enjoyed a wonderful couple of hours in February 2023 at the triangle of grass near Mountfields bus stop. Ben Bennatt, a local ecologist, showed us the best way to cut and turn the grass over in a circle to plant seeds and plants.
Everyone was very proud of what they had achieved
Growing Hollingdean Volunteers creating Polka Dot Wildflower Beds. Planted in Hollingdean. February 2023.
Local neighbours joined us and helped with planting their own polka dot circle with seeds and plants. A Mountfield neighbour supplied water for the plants.
Thank you all your help, it was a great turn out and everyone enjoyed cake and treats at the end.
Wild Flowers are important in Hollingdean
Our small selection of wildflower plants and seeds will help bees, butterflies and other creatures to thrive. In turn, we can all enjoy beautiful flowers and better fruits and vegetable crops.
Supported and thanks to Brighton & Hove City Council and St Matthias Fund
See what Brighton & Hove Council are up too with our verges, click here.
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Hollingdean volunteer gardeners get together to help out
Horton Road new flower bed
These are some of the things we have been doing recently planting out some new pollinator plants bought with a Council grant! Volunteer Tree Guardians clear the weeds and rubbish from around the bottom of the local fruit and nut trees and then mulch with woodchip.
Growing Hollingdean, Tree Guardians volunteers, Brighton
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
On Saturday 25th February, 10.30-13.00 there is chance to create a wildflower test area in Mountfield BN1 7BT, with Ben Bennatt, local ecologist.
Wildflower Verge Trial 2023
The aim is to create 10 small ‘polka dot’ beds across a triangle of land by turning the turf, sowing seed and planting plug plants. This summer we will be watching to see how effective this method is in the soil of our local verges.
Would you like to join in?
All you need to do is bring a spade and gloves and good weatherproof clothing for whatever the day promises. Also, a drink if you want one. Snacks and good company will be provided.
Email us on info@growinghollingdean.org.uk to let us know you are coming or for more information.
Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardian Volunteers mulching and litter picking, February 2023
Join our volunteer Tree Guardians group next month
Join our volunteer Tree Guardians for a few hours on the first Sunday of the month. A small group of locals get together to weed, mulch and learn about the fruit and nut trees in Hollingdean.
Gloves and equipment will be supplied
We can give you training and support. The Tree Care Sessions run the first Sunday 10-12pm every month. Meet outside Hollingdean Children’s Centre (SureStart) and we will wait 10 minutes before moving to our location. Our tasks will be to mulched with woodchips, prune, check for damage and disease. Under 18’s need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Please wear suitable clothing for the weather and bring a drink and a snack if needed.
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
A huge THANK YOU to the many locals who turned up to help create the two ‘No Dig’ veg and flower beds. General gardening, pruning, planting, chatter and fun was had by all for a few hours. St Richards Church is on Beale Crescent and our Growing Hollingdean volunteers also turned up to help on Saturday morning.
St Richards Church Hollingdean Community Garden
The volunteers also cleared the weeds and mulched around the existing fruit trees. This is phase one in the creation of a Food & Wildlife Community Garden. See our Facebook page for more photos.
Join us next time
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
Growing Hollingdean Lynchet Close Community Garden update, October 2022
The 3 flower beds are located at the end of Lynchet Close in the play area, Hollingdean, for everyone to enjoy.
Growing Hollingdean Lynchet Close Community Garden update, October 2022
Drought tolerant and low maintenance plants for everyone to enjoy
Lynchet Close Community Garden was created this spring and still going strong after the drought. It was designed with perennial plants making it low maintenance. It’s only has 3-4 gardening days a year. It also includes a sensory bed with many plants giving lots of interest for your senses.
We would love to add more plants in the future.
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
Thank you to our wonderful tree guardians at our Tree Care Session, braving the rain – true hero’s of the fruit trees!
Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians on a damp Sunday in October 2022
Wonderful to see new and regular volunteers with big smiles
Today we cleaned the grass / weeds from under the trees to reduce competition and then mulched with wood chips / grass clippings to create a barrier from moisture and too keep the heat in the ground while it breaks down, putting the carbon back into the ground. We looked for disease and damage to the trees (under 18s will need to be accompanied by a parent / guardian).
Tree Care Sessions run every first Sunday of the month 10am-12noon. We meet outside Sure Start Centre, Lynchet Close and we will wait for 10 mins for everyone to arrive.
Next session: 6th November 2022
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
The fruit trees across Hollingdean are looking amazing thanks to our Tree guardians volunteers which session run every first Sunday of the month meet at sure start centre 10am we will wait for 10 mins before leaving and the session ends at 12noon.
Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians August 2022
In these session you will learn about how to care for fruit trees like how to prune, mulching, water and looking for damage/ disease.
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
Here in the first picture you can see the start of a sensory beds there’s couple of resident on the road with autistic and ADHD so we wanted to create a place where they can be calm with the different touch’s and smells. Like a selection on mint that include strawberry mint, chocolate mint, ginger mint, lemon mint and you classic mint. There’s cotton sage your classic sage with some grass for sight and touch.
The 3 beds are made form recycled plastic planks that are sage to use for food growing these where picked as they won’t much more expensive than wood choice it will last a longer time than wood and dose not need continuously be painted also this site gets strimmed and that would damage the wood where as the plastic states it’s strimmer proof.
The first raised bed is planted with autumn raspberry, chives and has nasturtium seeds planted these plants are companion planting.
The second bed is plated with perennial fruits like strawberries, currents, thyme, rhubarb and sorel.
The third bed is currently planted with annual vegs like tomato, lettuce and chard as the Perennial cabbage plants haven’t arrived yet.
The final product of Lynchet Close community garden
Growing Hollingdean volunteers build 3 sensory flower beds in Lynchet Close
This community garden has been designed for perennial plants and drought tolerant plants to keep it low maintenance.
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
The Hollingdean Community Centre garden on Thompson Road is looking for volunteers to get involved and help with weeding, watering and planting. For more info contact Polly on growinghollindean@gmail.com for times and dates.
Making our community centre beautiful for everyone
The Trustees and Centre Manager were keen to ‘make our community centre beautiful’ and asked us for help! We were successful in accessing Healthy Neighbourhood Funding and using a Permaculture Design Process (part of a diploma project) we have worked with the local community to install new raised beds in the back yard, hanging baskets and a No Dig bed in the front garden.
Please note anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
We look forward to seeing you.
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
Thank you to the people who came to todays tree care sessions who battled through the rain and wind. Tree care session run every first Sunday of each month.
Our volunteers mulching a Cherry Plum tree in Hollingdean Park
Cherry Plum Tree number 161
One of our Growing Hollingdean volunteers will give everyone training and support. Our task is to care for the trees by clearing the weeds, mulching with woodchip, pruning dead branches and checking for damages and disease. See our Tree Map for all the trees in our area.
Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians February 2022
Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.
For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteerswho made this possible.
A group of volunteers from Lynchet Close Community Garden (3 Beds) planted a native hedge planted as a defence for rubbish being blown into the nearby woods.
They planted hawthorn, hazel, field maple, dog wood, dog rose and willow. We also planted a couple of sage plants at the base.
Have you ever noticed the many fruit and nut trees around Hollingdean? They were planted by Brighton Permaculture Trust (BPT) and are now in the care of Growing Hollingdean (GH) by our Tree Guardian volunteers.
Tree Guardians plant a new fruit tree January 2023
Join our small group of volunteers in Hollingdean
They were plant to increase biodiversity, food security, and to reduce carbon while capturing carbon.
Would you like to become a Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardian?
Our Tree Care Sessions run the first Sunday 10am-12noon every month. We meet outside Hollingdean Children’s Centre (Sure Start) on Brentwood Road. We will wait 10 minutes before going to our location.
A Growing Hollingdean volunteer will give everyone training and support. Our task is care for the trees by clearing the weeds, mulching with woodchip, pruning dead branches and checking for damages and disease.
Please wear suitable clothing for the weather and bring a drink and a snack if needed. Equipment will be supplied.
(Under 18’s must to be accompanied by a parent/guardian)
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
Growing Hollingdean volunteers have been busy the last two Fridays… with plants donated by Brighton Permaculture Trust and with help from members of Growing Hollingdean and the local community we’ve been planting nut trees, soft fruit bushes (some spikey!) and Eleagnus a nitrogen fixer around Brentwood Road, Two Trees Community garden on Tavistock Down, Merevale, The Crestway and Hollingdean Park, Dryads Community Orchard and a few last ones later this week on Horton Road.
These will provide food for the community in the future and improve biodiversity in our local eco systems as well as looking beautiful and soaking up carbon as they grow.
Volunteers planting new nut trees soft fruit bushes in March 2021
Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians planting new trees in March 2021
If you would like to know more about our events or help out as a volunteer please email through our contact page here. We look forward to meeting you!
Growing Hollingdean 
