Free event Brighton – Growing Hollingdean

Join Tree Guardian Volunteers on Sunday 2nd November 2025

29th Oct 2025

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

Tree Guardians seen on the Wildflower Verge in Hollingdean Park, 5th October 2025

Tree Guardians in Hollingdean Park Wildflower Verge, 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!

If you would like to say ‘Thank You’ to our Growing Hollingdean volunteers please add your review here. 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 volunteers who made this possible.

Well done Mel! Spreading the Word About Two Trees Community Garden

25th Oct 2025

Council Tenant Celebration Day, 13 September 2025

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.

Mel a Growing Hollingdean volunteer on front cover of Homing In Autumn 2025 WEB

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.

If you would like to say ‘Thank You’ to our Growing Hollingdean volunteers please add your review here. Thank you.

Leave your review on Google, thank you so much!

Get Growing Harvest Festival 2025

29th Sep 2025

Sunday 5th October, Hollingdean Park, 10 to 4pm

Join the Growing Hollingdean volunteers for gardening activities at the Hollingdean Park Community Orchard & Food Forest Garden, 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!!

Growing Hollingdean and Get Growing Harvest Festival 2025, Sunday 5th October, Hollingdean Park, 10-4pm

Time to pick Apples & Pears in Hollingdean

See our Hollingdean tree map for your nearest fruit trees, here.

Tree Guardians, first Sunday of the month, 10am to 12pm!

If you would like to say ‘Thank You’ to our Growing Hollingdean volunteers please add your review here. Thank you.

Join us for Wildflower Verge Cutting & Planting 2025

22nd Sep 2025

Join us for Wildflower Verge Cutting & Planting September 2025, Jon Growing Hollingdean volunteers. — *Mountfields Wildflower Verge*

Saturday 27 September, Mountfields Triangle, 10am-12pm, Rain or Shine!

Join the Growing Hollingdean volunteers for our annual wildflower meadow cutting on Saturday 27th September 2025. 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

“The wildflowers attract pollinators such as bees, flies, moths and flower beetles. Other insects and spiders soon follow, as well as larger predators…” Says Natural History Museum. These wildflowers provide vital food and habitat for Hollingdean’s swifts, buzzards, blackbirds, sparrows and more—so come along, lend a hand, and see what insects you can spot while helping care for our community meadow!

Join us for Wildflower Verge Cutting & Planting September 2025, Growing Hollingdean volunteers.

If you would like to say ‘Thank You’ to our Growing Hollingdean volunteers please add your review here. Thank you.

Leave your review on Google, thank you so much!

Join us in Hollingdean Park’s Forest Garden, Sunday 21st September 2025, 10am-12pm

17th Sep 2025

Join us in the Forest Garden, 16th 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.

Get Growing in Hollingdean, at the Forest Garden

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!

If you would like to say ‘Thank You’ to our Growing Hollingdean volunteers please add your review here. Thank you.

Get Growing in Hollingdean, Forest Garden Care Training Day, Sunday 13th July 2025

8th Jul 2025

Hollingdean Family Hub, Hollingdean Park and Community Orchard, 10.30am to 4pm

B&H Food Partnership in partnership with Cultivate have given us funding to organise a training day on how to care for your forest garden hosted by the extremely knowledgeable and charismatic lead gardener Stephan Gehrels. The event is completely free with a delicious light lunch and refreshments is also provided on the day. Please click this link Get Growing in Hollingdean – Forest Garden Care Training Day Tickets | Brighton & Hove Food Partnership for more info and to register. We currently have tickets for 15 adult places, children are welcome without tickets.

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).

Hollingdean Community Orchard and Forest Garden entrance June 2025

Volunteers enjoyed gardening at Mountfields wildflower verge on 19 April 2025

29th Apr 2025

Plants from The Wild Flower Conservation Society

Growing Hollingdean Volunteers enjoyed gardening at Mountfields wildflower verge on 19 April 2025

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!

If you would like to say ‘Thank You’ to our Growing Hollingdean volunteers please add your review here. Thank you.

To receive our latest blog posts directly to your email please subscribe here:

Growing Hollingdean volunteers plant the forest garden at Hollingdean Park Community Orchard

17th Mar 2025

On a fun sunny Sunday in March 2025

Volunteers planted a new edible forest garden at Hollingdean Park Community Orchard

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.

Volunteers planted a new edible forest garden at Hollingdean Park Community Orchard, March 2025 — Stephan briefing the volunteers

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.

Thank you to Community Chef Anna who cooked us all a lovely lunch! And everyone who helped make it a really productive day

Thank you to Stephan at Brighton Permaculture Trust, Helen at Brighton & Hove Food Partnership, Hollingdean Family Hub and Growing Hollingdean volunteers for organising all of this.

To receive our latest blog posts directly to your email please subscribe here:

Join us for the next Tree Guardian on 2nd March 2025

27th Feb 2025

Join our Tree Guardians for the first Sunday of every month, 10am-12noon. Meet at the Growing Hollingdean shed on the corner of Brentwood Road and Lynchet Close.

Our Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians volunteers on the Linkway, 2nd February 2025

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.

Cherry Plum Blossom in Hollingdean Brighton, February 2025

Celebrate Hollingdean’s Wildlife Corridors with Froglife -Free Event at Hollingdean Park, Saturday 12th October 2024, 10am to 4pm

8th Oct 2024

Neighbourhood Wildlife Corridor Open Day a Froglife Free Event at Hollingdean Park Saturday 12th October 2024, 10am to 4pm

Join Froglife to celebrate the creation of wildlife habitats in Brighton through Froglife’s discovering dewponds project!

At Hollingdean Park, Lynchet Close, Hollingdean, Brighton, BN1 7EY. Find us next to the skatepark (what3words: plank.soup.mops)

What’s on:

Froglife Info Stall Learn about amphibians and reptiles, ponds and the Wildlife Corridor project.
Make your own mini-habitat!
Made possible with habitat!
Growing Hollingdean Infomation Stall
Wildlife Corridor Walk and Art Trail
Pond dipping and bug hunt activities.

Find out more on our website at www.froglife.org/ discovering-dewponds/, or by scanning the QR code above.

Growing Hollingdean Stall

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.

To receive our latest blog posts directly to your email please subscribe here:

Tree Guardians next meet up is Sunday 6th October 2024, 10am at Lynchet Close shed – everyone welcome!

4th Oct 2024

Growing Hollingdean Walnut Tree 245 Horton Road-Tree Map September 2024

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.”

To receive our latest blog posts directly to your email please subscribe here:

Join us and Froglife to create bog garden in Hollingdean Park Football Pitch September 2024

12th Sep 2024

Free event, get involved in Hollingdean

Froglife create a bog garden in Hollingdean Park Football pitch, 12 September 2024 — What3Word Hollingdean Park Bog Garden

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.

Stage 1 – Friday 6th September 2024, 1pm – 5pm, clearing existing vegetation

Hollingdean Bog Garden Stage 1, clearing vegetation

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 Football Pitch September 2024 — *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 worms found at the bog garden Hollingdean Park Football pitch September 2024 — *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 12^th 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.

Create your own bog garden here.

Thank you to Froglife and Hollingbury Hawks Football Club.

We look forward to seeing you.

To receive our latest blog posts directly to your email please subscribe here:

Two Trees Community Garden at Tavistock Down is for everyone, June 2024

7th Jul 2024

*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.

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.

The benefits of green spaces for our mental health

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 Road, Hollingdean Brighton — *Two Trees Community Garden, Tavistock Down, Hollingdean Brighton, since 2014*

To receive our latest blog posts directly to your email please subscribe here:

Froglife visit Three Beds Community Garden at Lynchet Close, Hollingdean

23rd May 2024

On Bank Holiday 6 May 2024

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.

Tree Guardian volunteers seen on Davey Drive and Horton Road corner

20th May 2024

Tree Guardians seen on Davey Drive and Horton Road corner, 5th May 2024, Growing Hollingdean volunteers — *Mirabelle Tree 032*

First Sunday in May 2024 volunteers improved protection for some of Hollindean’s trees

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.

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.

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!

Did you know… ‘There are more than 40 species of these familiar beetles in Britain. Many are predatory on aphids and other insects, a few eat fungi or plants.’ says RHS

We look forward to seeing you at the next Tree Guardians, 2 June 2024

To receive our latest blog posts directly to your email please subscribe here:

Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardian Volunteer group on Brentwood Road

15th Dec 2023

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.

Why use woody mulches around the garden? The RHS says…

Chipped or shredded mulch make an excellent protective layer, moderating soil conditions by absorbing moisture and slowly releasing it back. As with other mulches they help suppress weeds and protect the soil from erosion, capping and compaction by wind and rain.’

Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardian Volunteer group on Brentwood Road, November 2023. Left to right Nicky, Karen, Polly and Holly, Brentwood Road Tree Guardians — 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.

Everyone enjoyed Autumn Storytelling Event in Hollingdean Community Orchard September 2023

9th Nov 2023

Everyone enjoyed Autumn Storytelling Event in September 2023

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.

To receive our latest blog posts directly to your email please subscribe here:

Help us extend the flowerbed on Horton Road, with the help of Growing Hollingdean volunteer gardeners

Help us extend the flowerbed on Horton Road in Hollingdean

7th Nov 2023

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.

To receive our latest blog posts directly to your email please subscribe here:

Growing Hollingdean volunteers enjoyed learning about Bee hives

4th Oct 2023

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.

“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.

Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians Out and About in August 2023

30th Aug 2023

*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 Hollingdean here 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.

Growing Hollingdean is a volunteer group of local residents that help develop community growing and wildlife spaces in the Hollingdean area

Tree Guardian Volunteers seen Gardening behind the flats on Stephens Road, 7th September 2025

Tree Guardians seen on the Wildflower Verge in Hollingdean Park, 5th October 2025

If you would like to say ‘Thank You’ to our Growing Hollingdean volunteers please add your review here. Thank you.

Council Tenant Celebration Day, 13 September 2025

Front cover news for Two Trees Community Garden

If you would like to say ‘Thank You’ to our Growing Hollingdean volunteers please add your review here. Thank you.

Sunday 5th October, Hollingdean Park, 10 to 4pm

Time to pick Apples & Pears in Hollingdean

Tree Guardians, first Sunday of the month, 10am to 12pm!

If you would like to say ‘Thank You’ to our Growing Hollingdean volunteers please add your review here. Thank you.

Saturday 27 September, Mountfields Triangle, 10am-12pm, Rain or Shine!

Free Event Hollingdean, Brighton this September 2025

If you would like to say ‘Thank You’ to our Growing Hollingdean volunteers please add your review here. Thank you.

Get Growing at Forest Garden, Hollingdean Community Orchard

Hollingdean Community Orchard’s broken bench removed, August 2025

Get Growing in Hollingdean, at the Forest Garden

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!

If you would like to say ‘Thank You’ to our Growing Hollingdean volunteers please add your review here. Thank you.

Hollingdean Family Hub, Hollingdean Park and Community Orchard, 10.30am to 4pm

Join us for a hands-on day of learning essential maintenance skills including:

Plants from The Wild Flower Conservation Society

Take look at the new information sign, which explains more about the wildflower verge.

If you would like to say ‘Thank You’ to our Growing Hollingdean volunteers please add your review here. Thank you.

On a fun sunny Sunday in March 2025

What is a forest garden?

Thank you to Community Chef Anna who cooked us all a lovely lunch! And everyone who helped make it a really productive day

Our volunteers were busy on The Linkway, 2nd February 2025

Growing tips for February

Blossom to look out for during February in Hollingdean

Cherry Plum tree blossom in Hollingdean Brighton, February 2025

Join Froglife to celebrate the creation of wildlife habitats in Brighton through Froglife’s discovering dewponds project!

What’s on:

Growing Hollingdean Stall

Tree Guardians last met at Horton Road in September 2024

Growing Hollingdean Tree Map

Tree Guardian Volunteers Wanted

Free event, get involved in Hollingdean

Stage 1 – Friday 6th September 2024, 1pm – 5pm, clearing existing vegetation

Stage 2 – Monday 9th September 2024, 9am – 4pm, excavation of basin and trench to bed-in liner

Stage 3 – Tuesday 10th September 2024, 9am – 4pm, lining bog-garden and beginning to fill with shingle and clay

Stage 4 – Wednesday 11th September 2024, 9am – 4pm, filling bog-garden with shingle and clay

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.

We are very lucky to have green spaces in Hollingdean

Mel will be at Two Trees Community Garden on Tavistock Down on Mondays, 3 to 5pm

How to find Two Trees Community Garden @TavistockDown

On Bank Holiday 6 May 2024

First Sunday in May 2024 volunteers improved protection for some of Hollindean’s trees

We look forward to seeing you at the next Tree Guardians, 2 June 2024

Mulching the local fruit and nut trees in November 2023

Why use woody mulches around the garden? The RHS says…

Growing Hollingdean volunteer Sheila told us stories in the sunshine

On Sunday 12th November 2023, 10.30 to 12.30 at Flats 119-129

Horton Road’s new flowerbed has been really successful this year!

Richard, a Hollingdean resident has kept Bee’s in his back garden for 40 years

Join our group of volunteers in Hollingdean

Thank you to all the August volunteers for helping out in Hollingdean

Stage 5 – Thursday 12^th September 2024, 11am until 4pm, planting-up bog garden, dead-hedge if materials available.