With Swindon Ranger David Boase SUMMER is when the Secret Garden is perhaps at its most magnificent.

Every visit to our community garden in Queen’s Park promises a new plant in bloom, more peas and potatoes ready to pick, and in the case of the broad beans, more and more black fly!

As a volunteer, there’s no better place to spend a summer’s evening or a sunny Saturday morning. There’s always plenty to do, whether it’s planting, weeding, watering or pruning, and our efforts are rewarded by sharing out the vegetables and flowers that are ripe for the picking. If you pop in to visit us, you’ll see that our medicinal plants bed is now taking shape since its October planting with Clary Sage, Viper’s Bugloss and Meadowsweet displaying some spectacular flowers.

Despite partial decimation by slugs, the peas, beans and remaining courgettes are now going strong, while the beetroot and leeks get bigger day by day.

Taking a wander through the wildlife garden will reveal the pink and purple hues of Purple Loosestrife, Great Burnet and Red Campion, and as for wildlife itself, keep an eye out for frogs, various bee species, ladybirds and our resident robin.

If it’s been a while since you last visited the Secret Garden, why not join us on Friday, August 1, for our Summer BBQ? It’s from 6-9pm and entry is free.

We will make some BBQs available for you to use, including one for vegetarian food only, and you’ll just need to bring your own food, drinks and chairs or picnic blankets.

Those who arrive early will receive a free drink, however it is advisable to bring drinks along with you as there only will be a limited supply.

If you can’t join us for the BBQ, our next event will be Apple Day on Saturday, October 11, so be sure to pop the date in your diary. This event, organised by Swindon Climate Action Network, was a huge success last year and we are sure it will be again this year.

There is, of course, no need to wait until our BBQ to visit the Secret Garden as the gates are open every day and if you fancy yourself as a gardener, a beginner or otherwise, you would be more than welcome at our gardening sessions.

We meet in the Secret Garden on Thursdays from 6-8pm, Saturdays between 10.30am and 12.30pm, and Sundays from 2-4pm, so come along to a session that’s convenient for you.

You’ll find the Secret Garden on the Drove Road side of Queen’s Park, east of the area known as The Glade.

l If you would like to get in touch with us, please call Paul 07454 736769 or Kathryn 07976 463314 or email us at queensparksecret garden@gmail.com l For regular Secret Garden updates, Like ‘The Secret Garden, Swindon’ on Facebook or follow @qpsecretgarden on Twitter.