Free events Brighton – Growing Hollingdean

Join us for Tree Guardians on Sunday 7th December 2025

27th Nov 2025

Tree Guardians see on Brentwood Road 2 November 2025 — *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.

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.

Bulbs planted by volunteers on Brentwood Road, November 2025 — Bulb planting

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.

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.

Hollingdean Tree Map

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.

Join Mel at Two Trees Community Garden, Thompson Road, Hollingdean

27th Nov 2025

Join Mel at Two Tree Community Garden on Sunday 30 November 2025 from 10am for some winter gardening

Sunday 30 November 2025, 10am till lunch time

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.

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

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Join the Tree Guardians on Sunday 6th July 2025. Training available, all welcome.

5th Jul 2025

What our Tree Guardians did on 1st June 2025, Hollingdean, Brighton volunteers

First Sunday of every month, 10am at the shed Brentwood Road and Lynchet Close, see more information here. Bring secateurs and a wheel barrow if you can. We look forward to seeing you there.

What our Tree Guardians did on Sunday 1st June 2025

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.

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

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!

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

Thank you to Yanet, Biologist and Shelia, Storyteller for a wonderful Bee-themed afternoon

30th Jun 2025

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!

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

Wildflowers plants from Wildflower Conservation Society planted in Hollingdean, April 2025

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.

Lets Get Growing at Hollingdean Park on Sunday 9th March 2025 10 am-4pm

3rd Mar 2025

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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Join us to plant thousands of blue crocus bulbs for the End Polio Now charity

28th Nov 2024

Tree Guardian Volunteers on 3rd November 2024, Hollingdean

Sunday 1st December 2024 at Hollingdean Park

End Polio Now poster October, November 2024

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!

Hollingdean Tree Guardians volunteers meet at the shed, first Sunday of the month, 10am, Lynchet Close

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!

What Tree Guardian Volunteers did on 3rd November 2024, Hollingdean — Walnut Tree Number 186

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.

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Everyone is welcome to join the Tree Guardian volunteers on 3rd November 2024, 10 to 12 noon. Why not come along?

30th Oct 2024

Tree Guardian volunteers seen on Davey Drive and Southmount green mulching and pruning the Hollingdean fruit tree, 6 October 2024 — *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.

See our Tree Guardians page for all your meet up information

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.

Thank you to the volunteers who made it, we look forward to seeing you and some new faces next time

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See our events calendar see what we are up to.

We look forward to seeing you at our next event.

Tree Guardians were on Davey Drive this summer

30th Aug 2024

Our next Tree Guardian meet up is this weekend, Sunday 1st September, 10-12pm, come and join us!

Tree Guardians on Davey Drive this Summer, On Sunday 4th August 2024 volunteers helped tree no. 23 & 15 — Number 23 Rowen 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

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.

We look forward to seeing you at our next event.

5th & 6th May 2024 Bank Holiday Weekend Free Events

2nd May 2024

5th May 2024 Tree Guardians, 10am to 12pm @ Hollingdean Park entrance

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

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.

Please share with friends and family and we look forward to seeing your there.

Tree Guardian volunteers replace a fruit tree on The Crestway

3rd Feb 2024

Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardian volunteers replace fruit trees on The Crestway and at 'Two Tree Community Garden' in January 2024 — *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.

Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardian volunteers replace a fruit trees on The Crestway and at 'Two Tree Community Garden' in January 2024

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.

Tree Guardian volunteers get together for additional tree planting Sundays

18th Jan 2024

Tree Guardians get together to plant on additional volunteer gardening days. January 2024

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 Tree Guardian Volunteers Wanted!

1st Dec 2023

Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians volunteers wanted Stephens Road mulching November 2023

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.

Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians volunteers mulching and staking October 2023

282+ fruit and nut trees need our care

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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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.

Thank you to September's Volunteers at The Old Green, The Old Green on Stanmer Street, Hollingdean from 10:30am - 12:30pm

Thank you to September’s Volunteers at The Old Green Community Garden

23rd Sep 2023

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!

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.

It’s Monday! Join Mel at Two Trees Community Garden, Hollingdean

21st Aug 2023

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 Road, Hollingdean Brighton — *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!

Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians learnt to scythe the long grass in July 2023

31st Jul 2023

Dryads Community Orchard Hollingdean, Brighton

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 Hollingdean here 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.

Volunteer Gardeners Wanted to Help Grow Fruit & Veg in Hollingdean

16th Jul 2023

*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.

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.

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!

Successful Growing Hollingdean Plant Stall & Activities at the Lucky Dip 2023

13th Jul 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.

Growing Food in Small Spaces activity with Growing Hollingdean volunteers at the Lucky Dip 2023

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.

Earwig Bell House making at Growing Hollingdean Free Activities at the Lucky Dip 2023

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.

Mini water garden making at Growing Hollingdean Free Activities at the Lucky Dip 2023

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.

Growing Food in Small Spaces Free Events in Hollingdean, June 2023

10th Jul 2023

*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.

Growing Food in Small Spaces Free Event at Hollingdean Community Centre was in June 2023

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.

Grow Food in Small Spaces where funded by our local Healthy Neighbourhood Fund. Our new stickers and flyers about our work where funded through a Community Engagement Fund from the council.

To hear about all future events, sign up to our newsletter. We look forward to meeting you.

Horton Road Community Flower Bed June 2023 Update

28th Jun 2023

*Horton Road Community Flower Bed Update June 2023*

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!

Our ‘Growing Food in Small Spaces’ stall will be at the ‘Lucky Dip 23’ on 1st July 2023, 10am to 4pm

21st Jun 2023

*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

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’ will be at Hollingdean Community Centre on Thursday, 29th June 2023

21st Jun 2023

'Growing Food in Small Spaces' with be at Hollingdean Community Centre — ‘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!

Tavistock Down Community Garden Growing Food in Small Spaces Free Event on Monday 26th June 2023

21st Jun 2023

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.

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 volunteer Tree Guardians May 2023

Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians May 2023

7th May 2023

Join our small group of volunteers in Hollingdean

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.

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.

Growing Hollingdean Joseph Blossom Walk April 2023

Growing Hollingdean Free Blossom Walk, April 2023

30th Apr 2023

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).

We look forward to seeing you.

Growing Hollingdean AGM & Plant Swap

8th Apr 2023

On 22 April 2023 at Hollingdean Community Centre

Growing Hollingdean has a Annual General Meeting (AGM) in spring each year and everyone is welcome to join us. Will will have:

Plant and seed swap or make a donation
Free! Plant a salad pot
Book sale
Raffle
Brighton Permaculture Trust – Apple Juice for sale
AGM meeting and slide show
Tea, coffee, drinks, homemade cakes and snacks

Come alone to chat to fellow local gardeners and find out what Growing Hollingdean volunteers have been up to this past year and what we plan to do.

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 Tree Guardian Volunteers, at Two Tree Community Garden, March 2023

5th Mar 2023

Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardian Volunteers in March 2023 — *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.

Polka Dot Wild Flower Beds Planted by volunteers in Hollingdean, February 2023

26th Feb 2023

*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

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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Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardian Volunteers February 2023

5th Feb 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

Come and join us for our next tree guardian volunteer session. Email us through our contact page here to let us know your coming.

Lynchet Close Community Garden, 3 Beds Build, June 2022

25th Jun 2022

Growing Hollingdean volunteers build 3 sensory flower beds in Lynchet Close

Volunteers build a place for clam and nature

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

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!

Growing Your Own in small spaces in Hollingdean

8th Jun 2022

Growing your Own in small spaces event at Hollingdean Community Centre, June 2022

Growing your Own in small spaces poster June 2022

Hollingdean Community Centre, Thompson Road, Thursday 9th & 16th June 2022

Join us to plant up a window box, pot or hanging basket with lovely fresh salads and herbs. We have free seedlings, compost and containers.

Just bring yourself! No experience needed, all welcome, just turn up.

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 Tree Guardians February 2022

6th Feb 2022

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

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.

Tree Guardians plant native hedge in January 2023

Lynchet Close Community Garden volunteers plant a new native hedge, January 2023

16th Jan 2022

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.

Come and join us for our next tree caring session. Contact us at info@growinghollingdean.org.uk for where and when.

Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians planting new trees in March 2021

Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardians have been out in the community

7th Mar 2021

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

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

Tree Guardians seen on Brentwood Road 2 November 2025

Spring bulbs planted by volunteers on Brentwood Road

Polly from Growing Hollingdean on BBC Radio Sussex

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

Sunday 30 November 2025, 10am till lunch time

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

What our Tree Guardians did on Sunday 1st June 2025

Tree Guardians litter pick in Hollingdean

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

A bee-themed storytelling at Hollingdean Community Orchard and Forest Garden

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

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

What we did on 9th February 2025 in Hollingdean Park

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

Sunday 1st December 2024 at Hollingdean Park

What our Tree Guardian Volunteers did on 3rd November 2024

Great to meet new volunteers

Help us look after Hollingdean’s fruit trees

See our Tree Guardians page for all your meet up information

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.

Thank you to the volunteers who made it, we look forward to seeing you and some new faces next time

See our events calendar see what we are up to.

Our next Tree Guardian meet up is this weekend, Sunday 1st September, 10-12pm, come and join us!

On Sunday 4th August 2024 volunteers helped a Rowan and a Cherry Plum tree

Its time for harvesting our local fruit trees

5th May 2024 Tree Guardians, 10am to 12pm @ Hollingdean Park entrance

6th May 2024, Monday Bank Holiday, Froglife pond planting and picnic

Hollingdean Park Community Orchard, 10am to 2pm

New apple tree at ‘Two Tree Community Garden’, January 2024

037 Apple Tree replaces dead tree

Next Tree Guardians session is on 4th February 2024

Can’t make our volunteering day on the first Sunday of the month?

For FREE Tree Care event on Sunday 3rd December 2023, 10am -12pm

282+ fruit and nut trees need our care

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

Join us next time Sunday 5th November 2023, 10:30am – 12:30pm

All skill level gardeners welcome, from beginners to expert

How to find Two Trees Community Garden @TavistockDown

Dryads Community Orchard Hollingdean, Brighton

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

Monday 17 July 2023, 3-5pm at Two Trees Community Garden, Tavistock Down

Growing Hollingdean Plant Stall

Free Growing Food in Small Spaces

Decorating Earwig Bell Houses

Free Mini Water Garden making

A big thank you to Amos from RAGS

Our Growing Hollingdean volunteers got together for some local gardening

Lucky Dip 23 will be at St Richards Church on 9 Beal Crescent, Hollingdean

Ever wanted to grow your own salad and herbs, but don’t have the room?

A Free Event for all, from 1.30pm to 4pm, Thompson Road, Hollingdean

From 3pm to 5pm the Growing Hollingdean volunteers will be there!

Join our small group of volunteers in Hollingdean

Would you like to become a Growing Hollingdean Tree Guardian?

Sunday 30th April 2023, 10am – 12pm @ Hollingdean Sure Start Centre

Tickets are free on Everbrite

On 22 April 2023 at Hollingdean Community Centre

Have you ever noticed the many fruit and nut trees around Hollingdean?

Would you like to become a Tree Guardian? Or come to our Tree care session?

Everyone was very proud of what they had achieved

Wild Flowers are important in Hollingdean

Supported and thanks to Brighton & Hove City Council and St Matthias Fund

Join our volunteer Tree Guardians group next month

Gloves and equipment will be supplied

Volunteers build a place for clam and nature

The final product of Lynchet Close community garden

Hollingdean Community Centre, Thompson Road, Thursday 9th & 16th June 2022

Our volunteers mulching a Cherry Plum tree in Hollingdean Park

Volunteers planting new nut trees soft fruit bushes in March 2021