GREEN OASIS JOURNAL NO. 11

 SAPHRA Gardening Day

SAPHRA called a Gardening Day at the end of September and the residents gardeners duly answered the call - it helped that it was a gloriously sunny day!

We weeded the plant borders and trimmed back the ivy. We also discovered that the dead field maple (which didn't survive the transplanting) was removed from the centre of the site and dug over the area in preparation for planting a donated rowan tree. 

All residents brought their own tools, forks, spades, secateurs, gardening gloves, hedge trimmer, lawn mower etc. and SAPHRA provided the bags for the debris.

Smile - it's a sunny day!

Action shots

Group photo taken by some other neighbours walking pass.

The Greenhouse St Albans

This is a great hidden gem - on London Road, just next to Co-Op supermarket is the St Albans Greenhous - https://thegreenhousestalbans.org/ 

I often walk pass without much thought - as downstairs looks like a craft shop (selling sustainability made products from businesses within the community).

However, when you go upstairs, a whole new world opens up - it's where the community space is. The space is create for the local to come together for sustainability talks, activities and get-togethers. There are specialise recycling bins for things that you often wonder where they can be recycled e.g. pill packet, reading glasses and printer cartridge etc.

There is also an Eco Library where books around eco-living, gardening and sustainable topics can be borrowed. 

Well worth a visit. Below is a big map of St Albans neighbourhood where there is green project going on - our SAPHR Green Oasis should belong on the map!

Ethical Consumer Magazine

This is a magazine where the brands are rated by their sustainability credentials. I didn't even know this kind of magazine exist. What a great resource (website: https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/ethical-consumer-magazine )

Next time I need to get a big item homeware e.g. washing machine, fridge etc.  I will be sure to check out the recommendation from this magazine!

Seed Exchange Station

Instead of buying your seed from the garden centre, why not come here and see what free seeds there are.

Various Specialist Recycling Station

These are not huge recycling bins but they house specialist items mentioned before - pill packet, reading glasses and printer ink cartridge. There is also facility for people just to come in, chat to each other or run community event and meeting in.