The heavy rain early on Wednesday morning cleared by 9 and it was yet another ideal winter morning for gardening and our CSV Action Earth Event.  Councillor Allan Jackson and 15 volunteers turned up.  Allan planted a cherry tree in the east border and, altogether, we planted 3 plum trees, two cherries, two witch hazels, 2 clematis and 10 assorted bushes.  After a little difficult excavation (thanks Rob!), we also planted a magnolia tree and a few bedding plants right in the centre of the park.

All the plants were bought with our CSV Action Earth grant.

At 11.30 we retired to the Starbank Inn for tea, coffee and biscuits (all supplied by the Starbank).  Many thanks again for their support.

We featured again in the Daily Record’s Edinburgh Now magazine on Wednesday, http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/Launch.aspx?PBID=764de512-efce-4c16-a5e8-fb6e146a8453. Great publicity, many thanks to the Record and to Callum and Nicola.

First gardening session of the New Year was on Wednesday, 8th January.  As you can see from the pictures, glorious winter weather again.  If you look hard, you can even see the blue sea.

13 of us turned out and we got loads done. We planted some bulbs in the east border while the west border, which backs on to Laverockbank Road, has been cleared of weeds (well most of them!) between the south wall and the Laverockbank Road gate.

Hard at work

The results

The Council has replanted the terrace border with lavender and rosemary to make a lovely fragrant herb garden.  As you can see, it is a huge improvement from the summer thistles and rosemary willow herb.

Now

Summer 2013

The Devlin Fountain has been tidied and planted with mixed shrubs and bushes.  It is a huge improvement and, once again, is a worthy focus in the park.  Many thanks to the Council for arranging this.

The Devlin fountain

The Council have removed the vast quantities of leaves and compost we have collected over the past couple of months.  It’s big improvement.  Many thanks to George and his team.

What a tidy park!

We’ve won a grant for plants and tools from CSV Action Earth.  We’re delighted and many thanks to Action Earth!

I’m afraid that last week’s storm left its mark on Starbank Park.  Three trees have been seriously damaged.  The Council Forestry department is looking at what needs to be done.

Wind damage

Snapped in the wind!