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Volunteering
There is always scope for volunteers to assist in the garden. We can provide gloves and all the gardening tools you could possibly need, but volunteers should have their own suitable gardening clothes and footwear.
The garden is open most days of the year, and on weekdays the gardener is at hand to get volunteers started and to keep an eye on operations.
Volunteers are most active in the spring and autumn. In the spring, duties include light pruning and hoeing of the cottage and sunken gardens, rose border (pictured) and herb beds.
In the autumn, there are leaves to be collected and compost distributed as mulch. The laburnum walk requires much attention annually to keep it in shape.
Pictured are groups of Knox Academy pupils involved in a school team-building exercise, helping with hay making in the community orchard. Other school groups have planted bulbs and collected leaves. Volunteers have contributed in many ways: for example, by helping to re-wire most of the boundary walls, removing ivy, preparing plant lists and by general weeding.
To become a volunteer, enquire during working hours to the gardener (Ian Edmonds) Tel: 07949 439 031 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 07949 439 031 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.07949 439 031 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 07949 439 031 end_of_the_skype_highlighting Or enquire at any time to 01620 823204the_skype_highlighting.
The garden is a haven for wildlife. The range of plants grown in the garden attracts a wide variety of fauna. Since 2008 have been noted: hedgehog, field mouse, grey squirrel, toad, and many varieties of birds. Mallard, wood pigeon, magpie, collared dove and several species of smaller birds all nested in 2010, and bird and bat boxes recently introduced are already attracting interest. The wild flower meadow and the cottage garden attract bees, wasps, butterflies, beetles and other insects. A ladybird survey in 2010 (pictured) as part of Scottish Bio-diversity Week was very successful. There is the chance for anyone interested to make a comprehensive list of birds and insects found in the garden.