Category: Nature-friendly gardening
Led by a small group of volunteers whose aim is to transform neglected areas of Dumfries, The People’s Project has recently focused their efforts on the nearby Castledykes Park. After hearing that the flowerbeds at Castledykes were to be grassed over, the group volunteered to revitalise them and create a haven for pollinators and wildlife.
Using a wide variety of perennials, nectar-rich annuals and biennials, the team were able to create a more sustainable and less wasteful way of planting to increase biodiversity throughout the year. Noticing the increase in bees, birds and butterflies within the park, local community members were impressed by the change which prompted the group to carry out a survey with the public and local schools to influence their next projects.
Since then, the group have created a Wildflower Border within an area of the park known as The Sunken Garden. With the garden attracting both sun and shade, it has the perfect scope to grow a wide range of wildflowers. Growing these from seed using peat-free compost over lockdowns, the garden now houses mostly native perennial wildflowers which are infilled with annuals and bulbs to ensure there are flowers and seed heads available for wildlife all year. Additionally, the group have installed a number of habitats for the park’s creatures such as log piles, beetle buckets, nettle buckets and a bug bank. Working closely with prisoners at Dumfries Prison and using reclaimed offcuts of wood, the park also boasts bat, hedgehog and bird boxes, each with living roofs planted with sedum and thyme to attract pollinating insects.
As a result of their efforts, The People’s Project volunteers have been able to raise awareness of the small actions locals can take to create nature-friendly green spaces. Information boards with QR codes have been installed throughout the area, supporting community members to learn more about the plants and the impact they will have on the environment.
