The Garden
The Threshold Garden consists mainly of two separate areas: the Village Green and the field on the opposite side of Cole Street Lane where we grow our fruit and veg. The garden is an important part of the community, both for growing food, and as a space where we can play and relax, either with others, or when we want peace and solitude.
The ‘Village Green’ is the triangular lawn around which most residents’ dwellings are situated and was formerly a farmyard surrounded by barns and cowsheds! Herb and flower beds border the lawn, as well as a small pond and a greenhouse. Every house has its own small front garden, which in summer is a mass of colour. Many of our shared meals, meetings and gatherings take place on the lawn in summer. We also celebrate seasonal festivals with Fire Circles around the fire bowl and on May Day, dancing around the maypole!
The Vegetable Garden and Orchard, ‘over the road’, consists of an acre of pastureland, plus a separate former paddock, both of which we rent. The original acre is now a well-established growing area enclosed by a native hedge as well as electric fencing to keep out cattle and deer! It includes two large and very productive polytunnels; an area of vegetable beds (mostly cultivated using organic methods); several fruit and nut trees and soft fruit bushes; a small forest garden in its infancy; various flower and herb beds; a natural pond; our Peace Pole in the centre of a small labyrinth; and a willow bower (dedicated to Caroline, one of the founder members of Threshold).
Unfortunately, the garden is situated on heavy clay soil, so we have to build up the beds as much as possible with our own (worm) compost, locally sourced manure, or Council green waste. The paths and grass areas get very wet and boggy during the winter months, so for working and harvesting winter veg, wellies are essential, although our polytunnels (one of which includes a social space for gatherings, hanging washing on wet days, and even playing table tennis!) can provide a pleasant respite from the wind and rain. In summer this field can be a beautiful area to sit and enjoy the view across the fields to Duncliffe Hill, walk the labyrinth, or sit round a bonfire socially.
Gardening: The produce from the vegetable gardens is available for all the community to pick and eat, either for communal meals or for their personal use, and the beds are tended by individuals or small groups. We have a garden group, which decides collectively who’s growing what and where, as well as what needs doing etc. The rest of the area (and Village Green) is maintained mostly on our weekly Tuesday work mornings, or on work days and gardening/work weekends (see below) when we invite visitors to join us to help with some of the bigger tasks. Those individuals who love gardening, of course tend to spend much of their spare time mowing, strimming, planting flowers and shrubs, and generally pottering about and keeping things going.
Woodland: We now also own a piece of woodland in a nearby village, which has been passed to us in perpetuity by the previous owner who can no longer manage it. A small group of us plan to maintain it and develop it as a Permaculture agroforestry project. This involves us doing a day’s work there every few weeks or so, and in future, we plan to invite groups of visitors, too.
Gardening Weekends
Why not come and join us on one of our Gardening Weekends? It's a great opportunity to experience the cohousing lifestyle and to work with us and get to know us, if you're thinking you might like to come and live here. And even if you're not, it's a lovely place here and you'll meet interesting like-minded people and have a fun weekend - it's not all work! In exchange for your help, we provide evening meals on Friday and Saturday, lunch, tea, coffee, cake etc., (though we do ask for a donation towards food), and of course accommodation. You can stay in our farmhouse, or bring a tent if the weather's OK. And don't worry if gardening's not your thing, or you're not up for physical work, we can always find you something to do.
Please see our Events/Visiting page to find out more.
