As I write this spring seems to be on it's way and the Growing Group and Lochcarron Barrels Group held a meeting a couple of weeks ago to discuss several possible projects for the next few months.

The Barrels Group have been overseeing and maintaining the barrels in the village and keeping Main Street tidy for many years and last autumn we discussed the possibility of using the greenhouse at the Howard Doris Centre to sow seeds to supply the barrels. The group have now purchased a lovely selection of low-growing annual seeds with the aim of distributing the plants we grow to all the barrels in the village, including all the barrels along Main Street, some at the primary school and the Howard Doris Centre. Fingers crossed that all goes well and we'll be able to distribute locally grown bedding plants in late spring/early summer. Accordingly, we have cleared the greenhouse and, by the time you're reading this, the seeds will have been sown

We would very much welcome some help with this project, including watering the seeds and then, once they have started to grow, potting them on.

We have very kindly been offered more seeds and plants and the use of an irrigated polytunnel as well as a number of other useful items by Sue and Keith Jones (so many thanks to them). We'll be able to move the seedlings there once they are big enough and continue to use the greenhouse at the centre to sow vegetable seeds, etc.

The Barrels Group would also appreciate some help to tidy the village before the season starts. We are very aware that there are several areas that really need weeding and are planning to hold a couple of work parties in March to do that. Please let us know if you would be able to help. I'll send out possible dates as soon as we've arranged them.

Ann Mackay has been in touch with estates at the Highland Council and they are relaxed about us using the garden space at the Howard Doris Centre so we are currently investigating purchasing and erecting a polycrub rather than a polytunnel. Whilst initially more expensive than a polytunnel they are longer lasting and would hopefully provide a great learning/training opportunity. They have a stronger base (as can be seen from the photos) and are made of polycarbonate rather than polythene.

We will need to investigate costs and planning for the polycrub, and by the time you read this, we will hopefully have a bit more information. I have sent for brochures and will update you all on that when I know more. I've included a photo of a poly crub from the Shetland polycrub website as this is where we hope to buy our crub. I've also included a map of the proposed site and a rough drawing that shows where the crub would be sited. We still need to do a more detailed drawing with accurate measurements. But thoughts, comments and questions prior to that would be welcome.

Meanwhile, whilst we're waiting for planning permission we hope to move ahead with raised beds and landscaping/tidying/planting other parts of the growing space at the Howard Doris Centre.

We're currently drawing up a wishlist for what we will need and will also be getting advice on costings and then seeking funding for additional raised beds, more paths for the vegetable garden, some benches, maybe a wood chipper (if we can't borrow or rent one), tools, compost, fruit trees and bushes, etc, all of which were requests or suggestions from the consultation exercise last year. We would also welcome donations, so, for example, if you have garden tools in good condition, that you don't need them any more, they would definitely find a good home with us.

The plan below includes the far end of the garden space (at the library end of the centre) and we aim to plant fruit trees and bushes on the slope that leads up to the road. The flat area is where we hope to site the pétanque pitch and raised beds to create a kitchen garden, but this area will need proper drainage before we do anything with it and I'm seeking advice on that. Again, if anyone locally is able to offer advice or help with that it would be really appreciated.

Meanwhile, things have also been progressing at the Smithy Hub. Planning permission has been applied for and the team at the Hub are investigating what they need to do to be able to erect the polytunnel down there, the frame of which was kindly donated by John Macpherson last year

We will be seeking funding support for various aspects of the project, but first we want to try and use everything from tools to experience, as well as materials that might already available in the village, as we know from the pilot project last year how supportive and helpful the community has been. We welcome everyone, whether you have loads of experience or would just be happy to spend the occasional hour just pottering in the growing space

In the meantime I plan to be at the Centre every Friday in March and April and there are plenty of jobs to be getting on with. In addition to sowing seeds, weeding and generally tidying up, we are currently investigating trimming the trees along the west side boundary again as they have grown considerably since Joe trimmed them last year. We have also been offered some perennials and more seeds which we could use for cut flowers for the Centre and in the sensory areas of the garden. I'm still recovering, but we're blessed with some wonderful volunteers and may well be able to be available at the Centre on other days (including weekends) if that is easier for folk to come along and join us. We also plan to pin up job lists so people could just stop by if they have an hour or so to spare. We will also need people to help us move plants and bulbs from donor gardens ready to plant at the Centre.

We're being optimistic and hoping for lots of plug plants to be available so we're also working towards a spring plant sale/swap, hopefully after Easter.

Finally, we are very encouraged by the enthusiasm in the village for the projects and can now evidence that, but at the moment we are very reliant on our wonderful (but very busy) volunteers). We therefore plan to seek funding for a horticultural officer who could manage the projects at the centre and any future developments with possible polycrubs/tunnels at the woodland and elsewhere.

Please do get in touch if you'd like to know more or have any advice or suggestions and do feel free to share this newsletter with anyone who you think might be interested in joining us.

Many thanks

Cindie

cindiereiter@yahoo.co.uk