How The Garden Sessions Work
The garden is open for at least 2 hours, 4 times a week. When the garden is open a Lead Gardener or Committee Member is always on duty. We work to a weekly Priority List so when gardeners turn up there will be a list of varied jobs for them to undertake.  Gardeners can pick what job they would like to do and where necessary will get instruction and guidance on how to tackle the tasks. 

Once the session ends the lead gardener will update the priority list so gardeners for the next session know what has been done and what needs to be tackled next. 
How Does it Work?
Generally a community garden needs a core group of 8-10 committed volunteers (which we have) who tend the plot regularly and then other members can dip in and out as time allows. There is always someone on site who is an experienced gardener so we can accommodate everyone at all levels. 

Members can turn up at any of the gardening sessions whenever it suits them; we don't need a hard and fast committment. Obviously we do welcome people who have a lot of time and energy to give to the garden but some people just want to visit 3 or 4 times a year and that is fine too.
What Happens to the Produce?
Everyone asks how we divide up the harvest – and we can assure you, it’s all very civilised. We pick what’s in season and leave it out on the table for anyone who is working that day to help themselves.  


Visitors to the garden can also take produce in exchange for a donation. But Gardeners get first dibs on the best veggies and of course they're free to them.

With such a large plot we always have plenty to go round. Between July and October in particular there is a huge variety of fruit and vegetables to choose from so no need for the supermarket!
Organisation and Communication
We have a committee (including a Head Gardener) who meet monthly and have responsibility for the Garden Plan, Funding and Grants, Procurement etc. 

We have a formal Constitution, keep minutes and have an AGM every year; so we are fully accountable to our Members and supporters.

We keep in touch with our members through regular emails and we keep our website, Facebook page, and Blog regularly updated.  
What We Can Offer Our Gardeners

For the Experienced Gardener:
The Walled Garden is an opportunity to take part in a wonderful experiment – restoring the garden to it’s former glory and turning it into a beautiful and thriving area, cultivating fruits and vegetables, tending to a heritage orchard and eventually developing an ornamental garden.

For the Novice Gardener:
We offer guidance, support and advice. Many of our members are inexperienced gardeners but are enjoying learning how to garden, gaining confidence and knowledge as the months unfold. We have a huge site so every willing pair of hands is appreciated.  

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Why join a Community Garden rather than have an allotment?

  • It’s cheaper for a start. Allotments can cost several hundred euro to buy and then there’s a lot of upkeep and work with them. You need to have a shed and buy seeds, plants and tools plus fertiliser and other sundry bits and pieces. Whereas this is all covered off in the Community Garden.
  • If you are a novice gardener you can learn from other more experienced members.
  • If you are veteran gardener you can exchange tips with others! And get the satisfaction of knowing that your knowledge is being shared and that others can benefit from your experience. Plus you can really get your teeth into a demanding and exciting project.
  • Tackling a garden or allotment yourself can be hard physical work. We have a lot of members who have joined this group initiative because they want to garden but aren’t able to tackle the digging or other heavy jobs.
  • If you have never had a plot before, joining a Community Garden can be a great way to decide if full-on vegetable and fruit gardening is for you.
  • An allotment is a real commitment and can take a lot of time to manage whereas the Community Garden let’s you dip in and out as your life and other responsibilities dictate.