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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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!
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).
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.
Growing Hollingdean 