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The BIG Garden

BIG Garden sunflowers

Colchester's most exciting community vegetable garden and orchard is in it's 6th year.  The garden has received a Green Flag award for its innovation in Conservation and Heritage.  There are many ways to get involved and support the development of the garden, which aims to promote health and well being by producing local food in a sustainable way and to encourage community involvement.  People of all ages and abilities are welcome to volunteer and have a share in the harvests. Health referrals are welcome, see below.

BIG Garden Pumpkin Yearly programme of works and events 2012- 13:

Winter:  Help mulch the orchard, gather leaves for leaf mould, coppice and weave hazel fencing, grow food in the poly tunnels and prepare for spring planting.

Spring / Summer: Get the garden growing by sowing and planting vegetable seeds, flowers and herbs.  Then as we get into summer enjoy the rewards of the early harvest.

Autumn: Join us for Apple Day as part of the park's 25th anniversary celebrations on September 23rd and sample some unique Essex varieties.  Then plan ahead for over-wintering crops, mulching beds for winter and sowing green manures.

The garden was designed by Bryn Thomas; construction works began  in 2006 with a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Nowadays it is funded by the Borough Council and the North East Essex Primary Care Trust.

BIG Garden volunteers Ways of getting involved

  • In 2012 the garden is open for visits and volunteering on Mondays and Thursdays between 10am and 1pm and alternate Saturdays between 11am and 3pm, on 21 January; 4, 18 February; 3, 17, 31 March; 14, 28 April; 12, 26 May; 9, 23 June; 7, 21 July; 4, 18 August; 1, 15, 29 September; 13, 27,  October; 10, 24 November; 8 December. 
  • Tea, coffee, gloves and tools are provided.
  • Attend a horticultural therapy session on a Monday or Thursday morning.
  • School visits to the garden are welcome, by arrangement.
  • Come along to garden events including 'Apple Day' and 'Planting days'.  

BIG Garden 4 Garden Therapy @ the Big Garden

Monday and Thursday sessions are open to people with a range of health needs including those with learning difficulties and mental health problems, with appropriate support provided by the Community Gardener.  It is a simple process to make a referral or to self-refer. Forms and information can be downloaded opposite.

The BIG Garden is pleased to host a 'Short Introduction to Permaculture' course 28th April. More information here.

How to get there

The garden is a short walk from High Woods Country Park Visitor Centre off Turner Rd.

Bus no. 8a or 65 towards Highwoods from town.

Walk 25 minutes from town centre via Castle Park (see link below)

Cycle less than 10 minutes from town centre. High Woods Cycle Route Map 

Train 15 minute walk from North Station

Car - share if possible! Fill up your car with visitors/volunteers and park at the Visitor Centre.

You can access the garden on foot/bike via Turner Rd or from Turner Rise via Thornton Drive taking you to the south entrance gate.