Wildlife and vegetable gardening at Thornham

When you visit Thornham take a look at our wildlife and vegetable garden. The garden began as a resource for schools to give them ideas how to attract wildlife to their own play grounds (see our Playground Pioneers course on our web site www.thornham.org.uk go to teachers' page then click on course list) The vegetables were added as back up for our food, farming and the environment course which teaches children where their food comes from.

The garden has expanded hugely this year, it is looked after by Tim Page from the Upper Waveney Valley Project.

Tim and his team of volunteers have this year made 6 new raised beds which will be planted with potatoes, parsnips, runner beans, broad beans, lettuce, onions, garlic, squash etc. Herbs are grown in old tyres, and soft fruit in one of the raised beds.

Tim plans to grow sweet peas and nasturtiums in hanging baskets to attract insects, he is going to add to the mixed wildflowers which are planted near the pond which he has recently cleaned out. The log pile behind the pond has been extended, this provides shelter for newts over winter and shelter for woodlice, snails etc. Sunflowers and globe thistles will be planted behind the pond for their nectar and then seeds. There are several bird feeding stations around the garden and honey suckle is growing up the side of the shed.