Join us for Forest Gardening Sunday Morning, 17 May 2026

Forest Gardening in Hollingdean Community Orchard Sunday 19th April 2026

Meet at 10am at our colourful shed on Lynchet Close or in the Community Orchard Forest Garden

Join Growing Hollingdean volunteers in the Community Orchard, Hollingdean Park. Please wear suitable clothing and shoes. Tools will all be supplied. Children can join in with a responsible adult. Add to your calendar, click here.

What we have done Hollingdean Community Orchard Sunday 19th April 2026

Five adults and three children (including a babe in arms) enjoyed a relaxed session in the Forest Garden. We planted some currants and a gooseberry along the edible hedge – these were left over from the Growing Hollingdean AGM and plant swap on 18th. They filled what appeared to be gaps and near some splendid looking leeks!

We also planted a second rosemary in the herby bed and Jo-seph dug deep and planted a holly behind the water capture containers. I finally understood how to turn the water on and we watered in our new plants.

There’s always weeding to be done – this time we tackled the grass and bindweed along the edge of the herb bed, putting the grass to good use as a mulch around the fruit trees and the beds looked a lot better afterwards.

Kate says she learned (from one of the children) that you can eat the fruits of the Elaeagnus Silverberry – they have a very satisfying pip to spit out, once you’ve eaten around it!

It was a lovely session; we had a freshly squeezed lemon drink and a biscuit, sitting on the sturdy bench and table set. The sun shone and we spotted bees and butterflies dancing amongst the apple blossom.

We look forward to seeing you next month. Thank you to the Growing Hollingdean volunteers.

We look forward to seeing you at our next event.


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

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!

Get Growing at Forest Garden, Hollingdean Community Orchard, broken bench, August 2025

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.

Growing Hollingdean Shed on Lynchet Close

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!