Location

On Saturday 10th March 2007 a new forest garden was begun in Birchfields Park, near Dickenson Road and Birch Polygon.

Beginnings of the forest garden...

Funded through the "Fruits of the Red Rose Forest", around 30 trees including several different apples, cobnuts, gages, medlars, pears and walnuts were planted.

The spacing between the trees was designed such that shrubs and bushes, herbs and low level fruits and the vegetable layer could be planted at a later stage.  The forest garden follows the principles of permaculture forest  gardening - efficiency of space, multi-layering, mimicking a woodland structure, using edible planting throughout. 

The former Birchfields Green Action Group and the Friends of the Park consulted and negotiated with Manchester Leisure to plant what was a former rose garden site as the Forest Garden.  The forest garden grows in maturity, helped by the hard work of the friends of Birchfields park and assistance from people throughout the Manchester Permaculture Network.  Regular gardening sessions are held first and third weekends of every month, and on Wednesday evenings on the longer, lighter days of the year.  All are welcome at these sessions and at the many other courses, workshops and celebrations hosted and made possible by the funding accessed by the Friends of Birchfield Park group.

Events:

Talk at Manchester Permaculture Network Winter Feast - January 2009

Jane Morris, one of the founders of the forest garden, talks at the MPN Winter Feast event about what 2008 has meant to the forest garden, and what to expect from the following year.

Planting day - November 2008

The sun came out and so did nearly 70 eager Manchester gardeners to help cultivate, transplant, tinker and titivate the four quadrants of the forest garden.  Many bulbs were planted, trees moved, herbs given a home in a guild and much good vegan food eaten.  Many thanks to all involved, especially the caterers - 'Ethically Catered' and the band, bringing the atmoshpere and drawing people to the garden from the streets beyond.

The funding for the planting day came from the 'Awards for all' funding, helping to bring new plants and implement designs for the South West quadrant, as well as in filling spaces around the rest of the garden.  Trials, involving the use of mulch matting to give a head start to new planting in this section of the garden, were initiated.  This matting will be removed once plants have established.  This could be a good way to cut down on the maintenance requirement demanded by the garden, and difficult to sustain, particularly in such a public place. We shall see.