It’s Spring! Finally. Our 107 Rooftop Garden has now officially survived it’s first Winter, which was long, cold and wet up, on this rooftop we love.

Cold and shady meant not much growth for the plants in this space over Winter – which we took into consideration in the planting + garden bed design. The carrots loved it.

We intentionally chose canopy plants that would lose their leaves over Winter so that the main sunny spots would be actually sunny over the Winter months, but shaded over Summer.

And now, Summer is coming. The trees know it, the mint knows it, the elderflower is sure of it.

This Winter, we also has some un-invited guests move in each night, or at least frequent the space with enthusiasm. What would the inner-city be without rats, hey?

The best fed organic hipster kale-eating, broadbean-digging, new shoot nipping rats in town.

Our strategy? Work around them. Plant what rats don’t like to eat. Get more perennial foods in there. Accept that a public space edible garden is what it is. To all it’s residents.

But the pollinator native + honeybees + wasps are buzzing amongst the salvias, the microforest gardens are all putting out leaves, the willow canopy is misty green, the mulberry is flowering.

Spring is here.

As ever, a big thanks to all the fine folk who helped create this space, our crowdfunders, volunteers, and everyone who’s done a Milkwood course, actually- you’re funding this garden! Yay you. Thanks a bunch.

We started out on the garden project less than a year ago, and now look at her grow.

So thanks, Winter, it’s been great. We’ll see you next year.

But right now we’re planning and dreaming of what else we can fit into this little place this coming growing season. Come dream with us sometime! This garden is for everyone.

You can read more about the 107 Rooftop Garden here.

Big thanks to Heather of Milkwood for stewarding this garden over winter, and to Jeremy for the Spring photos. x