pnkgarden.com - Get involved

Get involved

We are a bunch of very friendly local residents, from Southwark and Lewisham. If you are looking for a garden plot look no more, you have it with us! Don't worry if you don't have enough time for gardening, we look after each others crops. If you like DIY, or just want to meet some amazing people, or share your baking, join us! No expertise needed, we are learning together.

We open the first and third Sunday of the month, from 10 to 1 (but times may change, so get in touch just in case)
If you are planning to visit, join our Whatsapp group for live updates. You can also email us at pnkgardenlnd@gmail.com

Support our work with a donation

Read before visiting the garden

We are committed to ensuring the safety of our community. The following guidelines are designed to ensure the safety of all persons on site. Every person who is on site is responsible to ensure the guidelines are followed.

In a nutshell

“Check in” in the Whatsapp group by letting everyone know that you’ve arrived.
Close the gate (just with the pin) and leave the lock on the fence with padlock at 0000.
Have a look at the to do list on site: water, prune, compost, harvest, sow, pull weeds, socialise, enjoy and relax. Remember to clean the tools, tidy up and lock the gate.
When you “Check out” and report back in the Whatsapp group. If you took pictures, share them with the groups and social media https://www.instagram.com/pnkgardenlnd/
As a rule of thumb, ensure that you leave the garden better than you found it and had a great time.

Children at the garden

Children are welcome at the garden.
Do not leave your children unattended at any time.
Children (under 16) must be accompanied and supervised at all times by their parent/guardian.
The garden is unsupervised. Do not just assume that your child is being taken care of by another volunteer.
Engage in gardening activities that you can do with your child and are appropriate for their age, such as watering.
Children are strictly not allowed on 'construction days'.
Visiting the garden with children is a great opportunity to have some quality time with them. For some 'me' time, visit without children.

Preparing to visit the garden

Do not visit the garden if you feel unwell. We encourage you to test before joining the garden.

Message the Whatsapp group in advance to let us know when you are going to the garden, and check that it’ll be open.
Visit the garden in daylight only (check sunset time).
Wear comfortable and sturdy footwear.
Wear layers, being outside the weather is more extreme (colder, hotter, wetter)
No toilet is available on site.
No drinking water is available on site. Bring plenty of water with you.
You might want to bring a snack.
Bring your own gardening gloves if you can.
Have a fully charged mobile phone with you.

Safety at the garden

Respect the neighbours around the garden and minimise the noise when possible. Always try to have conversations on the street side of the garden rather than the side next to the building.
When possible, attend the garden in groups of 3. Always let someone know that you are in the garden and ask them to check on you.

While at the garden, always close the gate, no exceptions.
Consider if you would rather have the gate locked or unlocked.
Children under 16 must be accompanied and supervised by their parent/guardian. Do not leave children unattended at any time. The garden is not a supervised space.
Protect yourself and others from Covid-19. Sanitise your hands regularly, keep a physical distance of 1 meter at all times, wear gloves and a mask when appropriate.
If you feel threatened do not hesitate calling 112 or 999.

Alcohol and smoking are not allowed in the garden.
Read our Safety and Safeguarding Policy.

Using tools

Wear gloves.
Only use garden tools that you know how to use and do not pose a risk to you or others.
Do not use sharp tools near others.
When you are not using a tool, put it in the wheelbarrow or box. Do not leave a tool unattended on the ground, it is dangerous.
When you are finished clean the tools with soapy water and put them back in the shed.
The use of electric tools is not allowed in the garden.

To-do-list at the garden

Introduce yourself to other volunteers.
Water each plant for 10 seconds. Remember: water just the soil and not the leaves.
Check out the cold frame and spray water until the soil of the pots is moist.
Pull out weeds and put them in the rubbish, not the compost.
Collect and take out rubbish.
Harvesting mature fruits will encourage growth. Take just what you'll eat and enjoy!
Weight your harvest and write it down.
Prune dead leaves and compost them.
Take time to sit and relax.
Before you leave, double check that all is in order.

Share on social media (tagging @pnkgardenlnd)

Interacting with passing by and neighbours

Be kind, welcoming and informative. The garden is a growing community.
Do not leave strangers in the garden if you are alone, with children or vulnerable adults.
The great majority of people are supportive of the project. If someone has any concerns please ask them to contact pnkgardenlnd@gmail.com
Invite people to join our mailing list pnkgardenlnd@gmail.com and to follow us on social media @pnkgardenlnd
Ask newcomers to read this guide and brief them with other relevant information.
Do not get involved in any argument or dispute with any neighbour or person of the public. Any disputes with stakeholders will have a negative impact in the future of the garden. If someone approaches you to complain about something, let them know that you will raise their concern with the community manager. If they also want to contact the manager, they can email pnkgardenlnd@gmail.com

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