Tag: Volunteer gardening

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

25th Oct 2025

Council Tenant Celebration Day, 13 September 2025

Mel giving presentation at the 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.

Mel a Growing Hollingdean volunteer on front cover of Homing In Autumn 2025 WEB
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Volunteer Tree Guardians on Davey Drive in July 2024

19th Jul 2024
Numbers 20 &21. Pear Trees on the Growing Hollingdean Tree Map, July 2024
Numbers 020 & 021 Pear Trees on the Growing Hollingdean Tree Map, July 2024

Polly, Leigh, Abbie and Sarahjane, some of our volunteer tree guardians, enjoyed deciding which trees to take the mulch to on the first, on Sunday 7th July 2024. Shovelling up wood chip from the pile near Davey Drive shed they barrowed it to the trees.

Number 032 Mirabelle Plum Tree on the Growing Hollingdean Tree Map

Tree Guardians on Davey Drive in July 2024, Mirabelle Plum Tree
Before mulching, Mirabelle Plum Tree 032
Tree Guardians on Davey Drive in July 2024, Mirabelle Plum Tree
After mulching, Mirabelle Plum Tree 032

The first tree to be weeded and mulched was the Mirabelle Plum Tree (Prunus domestica subsp. syriaca), RHS says ‘A small, twiggy, deciduous tree generally with arching or drooping branches. It has white blossom in early spring followed in late summer or early autumn by plum fruits with golden or greenish-yellow flesh and black, blue, purple, red or yellow skin. Many cultivated varieties of plum have been developed from this species.‘

Tree Guardians on Davey Drive in July 2024, mulching the Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Before weeding the 031 Hawthorn
Tree Guardians on Davey Drive in July 2024, mulching the Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
After mulching the 031 Hawthorn

Number 031 Hawthorn Tree on the Growing Hollingdean Tree Map

This is a very wind swept 031 Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) which produces May blossom. The Woodland Trust says ‘Named after the month in which it blooms and a sign that spring is turning to summer. The pale green leaves of this hedgerow staple are often the first to appear in spring, with an explosion of pretty pale-pink blossom in May. It simply teems with wildlife from bugs to birds.’ See their video ‘Year in the life: Hawthorn’, its very relaxing.

Tree Guardians on Davey Drive in July 2024, mulching the Pear Tree 20 & 21
021 Tree, attaching the strapping to hold the cage in place
Tree Guardians on Davey Drive in July 2024, mulching the Pear Tree 20 & 21
Mulched in a doughnut shape around the tree

Numbers 020 & 021 Pear Trees on the Growing Hollingdean Tree Map

Its has been a year since these two pear (Pyrus communis) trees were last weeded. Green growth around the trunk competes with the trees for nutrition. The volunteers enjoyed a laugh and chat while they weeded, pruned and added mulch. Please help yourself to the fruit.

Next Tree Guardians 4th August 2024

Tree Guardians is the First Sunday of the every month, we meet outside Hollingdean Park West side entrance, Lynchet Close shed, Brighton, BN1 7EY. Wear appropiate clothing, bring a drink and equipment will be provided.

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

For all the latest news on Growing Hollingdean free events and volunteering please sign up here or in the box below. Thank you to all the Growing Hollingdean volunteers who made this possible.