A pond is the latest addition to the wildlife habitats in Winterton House Organic Garden.
This fantastic garden, the brainchild of local residents Melvyn Smith and Ken Davies, began in early 2010 on an underused area of shrubs beside Deancross Street in Shadwell. In just 3 years, it has been transformed into a wonderful place for local people and for wildlife.
Flower beds and an alpine garden (left) are full of colourful, nectar-rich flowers for much of the year, attracting bees and butterflies. Dry walls (see photo above) provide cover for insects and other small animals, while climbers hide nesting Wrens and Robins. The pond, added in spring 2013, is still establishing, but already contains a good variety of water plants, some of them provided from the wildlife pond in Mudchute Park. It is hoped that the pond will attract dragonflies, other aquatic insects, and maybe frogs and newts.
Another part of the garden contains raised beds where residents grow food, while a securely-fenced area is used for keeping rare breed chickens and ducks.
The garden is managed strictly to organic principles by residents of Winterton House, led by Melvyn and Ken. It is open to the public on Sunday mornings between April and September from 10am to midday. To find out more, see the Winterton House Organic Garden Facebook page.
All photos by John Archer
