"Hi, I’m John and I moved into St Martins in Battle, East Sussex, a year ago. I had just recovered from throat cancer. I’ve met lots of lovely people and settled in well.
I noticed that the gardens had great potential to aid my wellbeing, so I started to plan some planting for the patio garden near my front door. Read my story.
I grew up in an agricultural community in Lincolnshire and I’m used to working on the land, it comes naturally to me. I’m a joiner and carpenter by trade, and I enjoy making and designing things.
The patio is a suntrap and quite sheltered, which is good for planting out your seedlings or young plants in the spring. I’ve grown sweet peas from a packet of seeds and transferred them to a climbing frame, which I built.
I’ve grown most of my plants in pots so that I don’t have to get onto my knees! I ‘ve even tried my hand at Topiary which is the shaping of bushes by cutting. I was aiming for a duck and a chicken, but as you can see, I need more practice!
I’ve filled up all the empty planters around the scheme and invited the other residents to plant something they like in them, with help if needed.
This has encouraged many other residents to pot plants and arrange hanging baskets, as well as doing bits of weeding around the scheme. We do what we can and its very rewarding for everyone.
My next idea is to add some wildflower meadow seeds to the grass area and plant some miniature fruit trees on the grass area by the car park, which is a nice and sunny area."
Top tip
It’s easier than you think, and plants can be potted up all through the year. You can grow vegetables in grow bags too.
