MHA Green Care Newsletter Green... · Flower postcard – start a green correspondence Surprise and...

WelcomeMHA The Wilderness, one of London’s secret gardens, tucked behind MHA Hall Grange Care Home, brings together ideas and activities that are part of the Green Care programme. Green Care activities play a fundamental role in keeping MHA residents active and stimulated.

Garden activitiesPage 2

Late April/May plantingPage 3

Re-grow your own foodPages 4-5

Gardening journalPage 6-7

Flower of the monthPage 8

Seasonal craft – nature framesPage 9

Flower postcard0

Wildlife at homePages 11-12

WellbeingPages 13-14

Edible wild plantPage 15

Bird wordsearchPage 16

The Wilderness gardenPages 17-18

Keeping in touchPage 19

Thanks to generous grants from the National Heritage Lottery Fund and thanks to National Lottery players, MHA The Wilderness is being restored for the benefit of residents and the local community.

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 18th – 24th May and this year the theme is kindness. Join some of the activities and share a kind message of comfort with your friends and family. We hope that this newsletter will support your wellbeing while you are protecting yourself and others staying safe at home.

MHA Green Care newsletter • May 2020 1

MHA Green Care

May 2020 • Green CareNewsletter

Garden activities

In this edition, you will find indoor and outdoor nature based activities that can be carried out in your home or garden:

• Late April/May planting: Our Head Gardener’s advice

• Re-Grow your own food: how easy it is to regrow vegetable and herbs!

• Gardening Journal: keep a diary to record changes in your garden or from your windowsill

• Flower of the Month: April brings showers May flowers

• Seasonal craft: Nature Frames

• Flower postcard: Start a green correspondence

• Wildlife at home

• Wellbeing: sensory activities

• Edible Wild Plant: Wild Garlic pesto

• Bird word search

• The Wilderness Garden: Rev. William Wilks

If you have any queries or feedback, do please get in contact with Marco Galli, MHA The Wilderness Activity Coordinator at [email protected] or give him a call for a quick chat at 07597 135 220.


Late April/May planting

This time of year, especially this year due to the warm weather and sunshine, is the ideal time for exploring into the garden and sowing and growing some of your favourite vegetables and flowers to add colour and new flavours to foods in the summer and autumn.

Some examples of vegetables to grow in pots or the garden which can be sown in May include:

Carrots and peas

Sow seeds directly in beds or containers outdoors. Both carrots and peas seeds are tiny and as such require being sown very shallow. Once sown, cover lightly with soil to a depth of approximately 5-10mm and keep the top soil moist with a gentle spray of water. Germination and initial growth can take up to 2-3 weeks depending on temperatures and weather. Sowing late at this time can also be beneficial to avoid some common pests including carrot fly and pea moth.

Sunflowers and Sweetcorn:

Sunflowers and sweetcorn can both grow in large containers at this time of the year to create a feature. Some sunflowers if staked/supported can bring brightness into the garden having flower heads reach up to 500mm diameter (Russian Giant).

Seeds are best started in small pots indoors or in a sheltered place in the garden where birds cannot steal your seeds. Once growing and approximately 100-150mm height they will stand a better chance outdoors.

Plants to fill spaces and meadows scabious and cornflowers:

Both plants will grow fairly readily if sown spread over an area of open soil, cornflowers especially are quite rampant growers usually if grown in areas with good sunlight. Both varieties of plant just require their seeds to be sown gently on the surface of an area and lightly covered.

by Adam Fuller, MHA The Wilderness Head Gardener

Cornflower

Scabious


Re-grow your own food

As not everyone will have access to a garden, there is actually a lot that can be done from our windowsill. Re-growing your food will connect you with nature and bring in a sense of achievement!

Follow these few steps to bring back a lot of the vegetables and herbs that you regularly buy from supermarkets. And with very small actions, we can contribute to a reduction in food waste!

SPRING ONION Spring onions can grow significantly in a matter of a week. They currently hold the record for the fastest re-growing vegetable.

Place the bottom in a jar with just enough water to cover the roots. Place it on a windowsill in sunlight and change water regularly.

They will continue to regrow 4 times before starting this process again. Alternately, let one continue to grow, flower and produce seeds.

RED CHICORY (Radicchio)Cut 2 inches of the base off and place them in a jar with enough water to cover the bottom part. You don’t want your cutting completely submerged in water. Place it under a sunny windowsill and change water regularly. Within a few days, you will see little shoots beginning to grow. Within about 2 weeks, leaves can be harvested. Wait a little bit longer to get the roots out and plant it in soil. Feed the soil with rich fertiliser to boost nutrients.


Herbs

One of the best ways to enhance the flavour of a dish is by using fresh herbs. Although you might be able to get most of them from your local shops, the few steps indicated below can help you to have a vast resource of fresh herbs for your daily use.

Whether you live in a small apartment, have a patio or a garden, herbs can easily be grown or re-grown indoors.

Take a cutting off the plant and place it into a jar or glass with some water as shown in the pictures above. In a matter of two weeks at the latest, you will see roots generating at the base of that cutting.

Once the roots are generated, you can transplant herbs into a pot with a mixture of soil and compost and you will start to have your own herbs.

Do not be discouraged if you get only one!

Keep going, make some adjustments and nurture your herbs.

Aroma is the essence of food (especially if good), but it can also enhance our sense of wellbeing.

ROSEMARY

MINT

PARSLEY


Gardening journal

Keep a diary to record changes in your garden or from your windowsill

HERBS

Basil, mint, sage or rosemary; the list is endless. They all have different sowing times, either indoor or outdoors. Some will grow quickly, other requires more time.

Keep track of your herbs and start your herb garden.

WATERING HOURS

How often should you water your vegetable garden? How much water do my herbs need? Should I water my plants everyday? Help your garden survive by designing your watering schedule. More info, here:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=312

VEGETABLES

Make sure you are taking notes about how the weather is affecting your vegetables. Report on seed starting and planting dates and more importantly which were your outstanding plants and which did not do so well.


Gardening journal

DIY Scrapbook, a creative alternative to your gardening journal

STEP 1

Start with collecting your ideas and supplies that you will be using. Then

compiled a number of pages

You really need a few things to get this project going: paper; string; scissors; hole

punch; glue; brush; ruler; pen.

STEP 3

Start decorating your front and bring in some elements

to make it more personal and unique.

You can now write up about when you sowed basil at the

beginning of the month or start planning for the summer.

STEP 2

Start with binding together papers. You can use a hole punch

and strings to make your loose papers assuming the shape of a

diary.

You can use any sort of string, or recycle some raffia. Add some

glue to strengthen the raffia across holes.


Flower of the month

April brings showers May flowers

Lily of the Valley can grow up to 20cm and has previously gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s award of Garden Merit. It used to be used in medicines and was said to cure sore throats amongst other things.

The Victorians believed this plant symbolised a ‘return to happiness’. When the lily of the valley blooms, happiness is said to return.

While its scent may seem sweet and alluring — delivering the uplifting, fresh notes of a flower in bloom — in plant form, Lily of the Valley is poisonous and should not be ingested by humans or animals (smelling it is totally safe).

Lily of the Valley Craft session

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhrR90vXWdQ

Lily of the Valley by Queen, karaoke version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7K1_g31H0s

Lily of the Valley


Seasonal craft – nature frames

What can you do with some old frames? How can you make a new one? Here are a few tips to start framing anything you want.

FLOWER IN FRAMERecycle some of your frames and decorate them with some dry flowers. It is recommended to glue the flowers to the back of your frame.

You can create different design to create a decorative embellishment for your house. But it is also an inventive present for a friend with a passion for flowers and crafts!

BAMBOO FRAMEStart by selecting and drying up your bamboo. Cut the bamboo of the size that you prefer, and soften some corners with sandpaper.

Adopt a wood board to secure the back of your frame on which you will glue the cut pieces of bamboo. Use hot glue to secure your bamboo as a frame.

TWIG FRAMEGather a bunch of dry twigs and cut them of the size you need while removing any dried leaves (although it is up to you).

Take the twine or raffia and tie one end to a twig and wrap around a few times to secure each side.

Add natural items to decorate your frame: try some dry moss, painted leaves, and DIY red berries.


Flower postcard – start a green correspondence

Surprise and delight your friends and family with the DIY flower postcard.

Start a green correspondence to share which flower, herb or plant you have sown, planted or collected from your garden or windowsill.

The process is to create up to six squares on the postcard which will contain your flower or plant. Then, turn the postcard to leave a message for your friend.

I sent my postcard to my family with some dried flowers and plants that I can see from my window: daffodils; blue bells; hydrangea; cuckoo flowers; wild garlic; rowan. Now, it is your turn to share it with your friends and family.

RECORD & DRAW (one side)Start drawing six squares on the front side. Next to it draw a small empty tick box. Glue each dried flower into each square and write the name of the flower or plant below it. Alternatively, you can draw or print the flowers.

A FEW EXTRA TOUCHESOn the left side write your message, while address and stamp go on the right. The person who receives your postcard will have to check and mark the empty boxes if they have the flowers you shared with them in their garden. Encourage them to make their own Flower Postcard and send it back to you.

Keep each other posted of what things are growing in your garden or from your windowsill!

10MHA Green Care newsletter • May 2020

Wildlife at home – welcome badger cubs

“Most British badgers with hair, are black and white and not fair, but when they all have a fight,

their hair stands up to a great height, so they resemble a miniature bear!”.

Badgerland Limericks

SPOT THE BADGER HERE:

https://www.essexwt.org.uk/protecting-wildlife/wildlife-webcams/badger-webcam

BADGER MASK

Start by cutting the shape of a badger face, then cut two long thin triangles of black paper. Cut the ends into curves. Glue the black pieces on so the curves sit inside the ear and the points reach down to the nose. If they are overlapping the eye holes, trim away the extra. Stick on oval of black paper on to the nose. Make a small hole either side and tie a length of elastic through them.

BADGER FINGER PUPPET

Choose the felt, cut the shapes, thread your needle, and start sewing! Thread your needle and sew the face, then embroider the eyes and nose. Sew the ears onto the inside of the second piece. Sew the front and back pieces together 1/5 inch from the border.

You have four fingers left!


a

Wildlife at home –ladybird

LADYBIRD BROOCH

Depending on resources available you can create a ladybird brooch just with some red and black felt.

Once you worked out the ladybird shape with your red and black felt, place the fixed flat part of the safety pin on back of the ladybird. Place a small piece of fabric through the safety pin and sow both side of the fabric to the back of your felt ladybird.

LADYBIRD STONE

Turn a simple stone into a ladybug.

Paint your pebble red and leave to dry. Now paint a wide black line at one side as the face (look at the photo above to see what we mean). Paint a black line across the middle and dab on some black dots for the wings.

The black-on-red markings of the 7-spot ladybird or the other 40 species that can be found on the British Isles, ladybirds are beneficial insects because they eat many bugs that are known to eat plants and destroy crops.

The ladybird has always been a symbol of good luck. If you have a wish that you would like to come true, the ladybird is an indication that your wish will be granted very soon!


Wellbeing: sensory activities

From small, safe, green spaces to vast woodlands and forests, nature has always inspired, brought peace and calm, and provided space for reflection and enjoyment.

HEARING – BIRD CHORUS Have a cuppa in the garden, or sit by an open window and listen carefully to the bird chorus at dusk. An orchestra made up of different birds will begin their concert orchestrated by the wind.

Repeat in the morning, at dawn, another free concert is waiting for you.

SIGHT – BIRDWATCHINGWhat can you see in your garden or from your window? Observe what birds are doing now. If you want to attract them to you, build a bird house or create a bird dispenser.

SMELL – FRESH HERBSGently crushing the leaves by scrunching them up in your hand or lightly bruising them using a mortar and pestle is a good way to release the fresh herbs aroma.

What memories does this bring back for you?


Wellbeing: sensory activities

TOUCH Digging into the soil; feeling the texture of a stone or a pine cone. When your flowers are blossoming; or vegetables are ready to be harvested, feel the softness, sometime prickling effect on your skin. Be mindful of what is growing next to you and experience the sense of daily achievements.

TASTE – TRY WITH AROMATIC HERBSGrow your own mint and infuse your tea with it. Enjoy it warm or iced or even mixed with lemonade.

Alternatively, add mint to your Greek-style salad; or combine it with fresh fruits.

However, the best way is to taste it by itself, does it prickle on your tongue?

PodcastBBC Gardening

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02tfhrt/episodes/downloads

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007b5wg/episodes/downloads

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qp2f/episodes/downloads

RHS Gardening

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-rhs-gardening-podcast/id605769651

Sound of nature

Beautiful sounds of nature, covering 55 countries with almost 500 sounds

https://citiesandmemory.com/sounding-nature/

Sounds of Belgian nature

Listen to the sounds of (Belgian!) nature | Discovering Belgium


Edible wild plantwild garlic pesto recipe

Wild garlic is very diverse and a joy to cook. All parts are edible: try raw leaves; the stems are sweet. The pretty flowers are delicious.

It is not illegal to pick up Wild Garlic in UK if you are gathering the above ground parts.

Ingredients• wild garlic, 2 large bunch, washed

(thoroughly, a couple of times)

• pine nuts, 100g

• parmesan, 100g

• olive oil, 200ml

• lemon juice

• salt

• black pepper

Method• wash and chop wild garlic leaves. Place

all the ingredients into a food blender apart from the olive oil and blitz it until of a paste then slowly pour in the olive oil until blended.

• You can us e on pasta, mash, dipping, or on white cheese.

• Enjoy!


Bird word search

S G A S X V O E T Q Y P O R S

T L O D T O Z A O O W T T E T

F G Y L K I W J V Q N D W K I

I F K C D N T J D I F H N C W

W E U N Y F K L T A R E L E S

S C H O T Y I R A W I R Q P W

C J W O X M A N R O Y O B D A

G L L H B M M E C C C N C O L

F O O U E B N X Z H S H Y O L

N H Z S P R Y P U F F I N W O

Z V U K I N G F I S H E R N W

O O M O H A W M Q T T X K E S

H P Y N H D X Z A T X P R E T

L X F S V A H L D V C T H R M

S T I T E U L B W P O J E G T

BLUE TIT

CUCKOO

GREEN WOODPECKER

HOBBY

KINGFISHER

SWALLOWS

TAWNY OWL

COAL TIT

GOLDFINCH

HERON

HOUSE MARTIN

PUFFIN

SWIFTS

WREN


The Wilderness garden

Rev William Wilks, an amateur but gifted horticulturist and Secretary of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), was the creator of the Wilderness garden.

Delve into the history of Rev William Wilks who brought scientific rigour and humility to his successful career.

Rev. William Wilks (1843-1923) was born in Ashford, Kent into a long established medical family with a passion for horticulture. His father was a keen fruit grower with a particular interest in French pears.

Wilks’ progressive education brought him to enhance his interests in natural sciences: a close friend of the family, the Rev. Joshua Dix, who was the first Chairman of the RHS Floral Committee, noted William’s growing interest in horticulture, and took him to the Society’s shows and provided flowers and seeds for the family garden.

Wilks’ intention of studying medicine at Pembroke College Cambridge in 1861 will later be swayed towards theology by Professor Charles Kingsley and the Chair of Moral Philosophy, Frederick Denison Maurice, who were both eminent Christian Scientists. Wilks graduated in 1864 and transferred to Wells Theological College, becoming ordained as a Deacon at Ely Cathedral in 1866. Two years later, Wilks became curate at Croydon Parish Church in 1868, following his ordination as a priest, where he served as Senior Curate for thirteen years.

In the meantime, Wilks was elected as a Fellow of the RHS in 1865 becoming one of its most productive and committed members. By 1886 he was serving as the Vice Chairman of the Floral Committee, becoming Chairman of

the Narcissus Committee and being elected to Council in 1887. However, his greatest achievement was his election as Secretary in 1887, supported by the new President, Sir John James Lawrence, a position he held for 32 years.

Wilks was involved with the confirmation of the Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital, arguably the most famous horticultural show in the world, from 1913. He was also involved in the later acquisition of land at Wisley from Sir Thomas Hanbury in 1903 for a new experimental garden and research centre, where he also acted as an examiner in the

Discover Rev William Wilks story and greatest achievements

Continues over


The Wilderness garden

new professional examinations, and in 1904 was among the key figures who secured the Society’s headquarters and show hall in Vincent Square, Westminster where it continues to be based today.

In 1912, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Society, Wilks was awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour.

One of his greatest achievements has to be recognised in his career as a plant breeder and his adventure of the discovery of the most infamous flower, the Shirley poppy.

However, his methods of selection bordered on the eccentric. Writing in 1900, Wilks described leaving his bed to be in the garden “between three and four o’clock in the morning so as to pull up and trample on and destroy the bad ones before the bees have a chance of

conveying the pollen to others”. Wilks happily shared seed with any member of the RHS who applied recognising that the poppy had ‘given joy and delight to the poorest as well as the richest.

In 1894 Wilks was diagnosed with throat cancer. He recovered but his speech, and general health, was permanently affected which led to him to resign his position in 1910. In 1904, ahead of his retirement, he purchased seven acres of land adjoining the vicarage and created a new house and garden, ‘The Wilderness’, moving into the house in October 1912-13.

Wilks died suddenly in 1923. His funeral was held at St. John’s and was attended by luminaries of the horticultural world such as Lord Lambourne, then President of the RHS. Wilks was buried in the churchyard but the site of his grave is lost. A wrought iron gate incorporating Wilks’s initials and the Shirley Poppy was erected at Wisley’s main entrance in his memory.

__________________

Images courtesy of the RHS Archive.


• Workplace

• Facebook

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• Texting / Calling

• Letter writing (build this into your daily exercise walk)

• Zoom

• Skype

Keeping in touchIf you are able to, keep in touch with colleagues, friends and family through any of the following methods:


MHA Green Care Newsletter Green... · Flower postcard – start a green correspondence Surprise and...

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