Meadow Orchard Project

Our April Newsletter

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Our Connection with Clay

What is Clay? Clay is a naturally occurring, fine-grained soil made up of tiny particles of rock and minerals, primarily hydrous aluminium phyllosilicates. It’s unique in that it becomes soft and workable when wet, yet hardens when it dries—and even more so when fired in a kiln. Throughout human history, clay has played a vitalContinue reading “Our Connection with Clay”

Our Roundhouse: Planned Upgrades

Exciting Upgrades Coming to our Roundhouse! UpgradesWe’re excited to share that we’re planning a series of upgrades to the Roundhouse to make it a more flexible, welcoming space for workshops, learning, and community events. These improvements are all about making the Roundhouse more functional, comfortable, and inspiring for everyone who uses it. A Community HubOneContinue reading “Our Roundhouse: Planned Upgrades”

Lifecycle Differences: Bee v Hoverfly

Often Bees and Hoverflies can look quite similar and it can be hard to tell them apart. Hoverflies don’t have a sting and some species have even evolved to look like Bees, Wasps and Hornets! In nature where a harmless species such as a hoverfly (the mimic) resembles a dangerous species i.e. a bee (theContinue reading “Lifecycle Differences: Bee v Hoverfly”

Spring Bulbs @MOP💚🌺🌹🌷

Over the last couple of years we’ve signed up to receive free bulbs from the Haringey Parks Department, we’ve also signed up to receive bulbs from MPGA (Metropolitan Parks and Gardens Association) through their Bulbs for London Programme in association with Taylors Bulbs. We also supplemented these with another 160 native Bluebell and Fritillary bulbs.Continue reading “Spring Bulbs @MOP💚🌺🌹🌷”

Wood Firing: Unique Handcrafted Pottery Update

At Meadow Orchard, we’re excited to harvest our yellow London Clay for pottery, perfect for low-temperature wood-fired ceramics. The site, once tennis courts, is rich in clay and ideal for sustainable, locally sourced materials. Our permaculture ethos aligns with using local sustainable materials. We’ve built a clay roundhouse, a natural puddled clay pond, a clay oven, a clay rocket stove and now pottery feels like the next step. In spring, we’ll begin harvesting and testing the clay with local artists and ceramicists. Early test results are promising, and we can’t wait to share the process. Get in touch if you’d like to join us on this creative journey!

Community Seed Sow, Plant & Seed Swap at Meadow Orchard

Join us for the Community Seed Sow, Plant & Seed Swap at Meadow Orchard on Saturday 12th April 2025, from 1–4 pm, as part of the Happier Outdoors Festival! Celebrate spring by sowing seeds in mini propagators and swapping seeds, seedlings, and surplus plants with fellow gardeners. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned grower, this friendly event offers a great chance to connect, grow your garden, and support sustainable, community-based gardening. Located behind Hornsey Health Centre, N8. Donations welcome for plants, compost, and supplies. Let’s grow something beautiful—together! #SeedSwap #CommunityGardening #HappierOutdoors2025 #MeadowOrchard

Meadow Orchard: Crouch End Festival – June 4th – 15th

The View from Here: Community Art in the RoundhouseDates Exhibition open Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays, June 4th -15thTime 12.00 – 7.00pmPlease see links below for workshop dates and times About Meadow Orchard Our Art Exhibition The View from Here: Community Art in the Roundhouse takes place in our wondrous cob built roundhouse (made by overContinue reading “Meadow Orchard: Crouch End Festival – June 4th – 15th”

The Fascinating World of Yellow Meadow Ants

Discover the fascinating world of Yellow Meadow Ants (Lasius flavus) thriving in London’s urban landscape, especially in our disused tennis courts! These golden-yellow ants have adapted to clay soil and abandoned spaces, creating intricate underground tunnels. The combination of stable temperature, moisture retention, and minimal disturbance makes old tennis courts the perfect environment. Yellow Meadow Ants rely on a symbiotic relationship with aphids for sustenance and contribute to soil health. Learn how these ants, often unnoticed, play a crucial role in transforming neglected areas into thriving microhabitats. Explore their surprising presence in London’s green spaces today!

European Orchard Bees Nesting at MOP

Solitary Bees Our volunteers have been delighted to see a European Orchard Bee nesting in the habitat wall we installed on the side of our green metal tool shed last year. But what exactly are solitary bees and are they different from honeybees? When it comes to locating bee habitat, they pretty much like theContinue reading “European Orchard Bees Nesting at MOP”