12 Days of Christmas: Eleven Gardening Club Activities

With just two sleeps to go until Christmas, we find ourselves reflecting on the incredible support that helps Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service thrive. Today, on day 11 of our 12 Days of Christmas series, we want to shine a spotlight on the extraordinary efforts of our Gardening Club.  

These dedicated volunteers are the unsung heroes of our beautiful hospice grounds, working tirelessly to create and maintain an outdoor space that brings joy, peace, and comfort to the babies, children, young people and families we support.  

The Gardening Club’s expertise, led by Martin and Silvia, and commitment save us significant amounts of money every year, enabling us to channel more resources into the care and support that we are able to offer our families.  

We could not be more grateful for their hard work, which encompasses a wide range of activities, including: 

Weeding: Removing weeds from flower beds, planters and pathways is no small task. The Gardening Club meticulously tackles this thankless task to ensure that our gardens remain tidy and that plants can access the nutrients they need to thrive. 

Pruning: Overgrown shrubs, trees, and hedges can quickly become unruly. The club’s volunteers skillfully prune these plants to encourage healthy growth, maintain their shape, and ensure the gardens look their best year-round. 

Planting: Whether it is vibrant flowers for a splash of colour, sturdy shrubs for structure, or trees that provide shade and habitat for wildlife, our Gardening Club continually enhances the beauty and productivity of our grounds with new plantings. 

Watering: Keeping plants hydrated is essential, particularly during dry spells or when nurturing new additions to the garden. The Gardening Club are diligent in ensuring that every plant receives the water it needs to flourish. 

Mowing the Lawn: Using lawnmowers or our John Deere ride-on mower, the Gardening Club ensures our grassy areas are neat, lush, and inviting. The well-maintained lawns are perfect for play, picnics, or simply enjoying the outdoors. 

Edging: Trimming the edges of flower beds, lawns, and pathways might seem like a small detail, but it makes a significant difference. The clean, defined lines create a polished and cared-for appearance across our gardens. 

Mulching: The volunteers spread mulch around plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil quality. This sustainable practice benefits the health of our plants while reducing the need for frequent watering. 

Deadheading: By removing dead flowers, our Gardening Club encourages new blooms and ensures the gardens maintain their vibrant, colourful displays. Deadheading is an ongoing task that showcases the care and attention to detail our wonderful volunteers bring to their work. 

Soil Preparation: Healthy plants begin with healthy soil. The Gardening Club regularly turns and enriches the soil with compost or fertilisers, ensuring it is nutrient-rich and ready for planting. 

Clearing Leaves and Debris: Especially during autumn and winter, leaves and debris can accumulate and attract pests. The volunteers use tools like rakes and leaf blowers to keep the grounds clean and safe for all to enjoy. 

Pathway Maintenance: Our pathways need to be safe and accessible for everyone. The Gardening Club sweeps, repairs, and sometimes adds gravel or paving to ensure that our pathways remain in excellent condition. 

What a team!  

Each of these tasks requires time, energy, and expertise. The dedication of our Gardening Club means that our outdoor spaces are not just maintained but are truly flourishing. The gardens are a sanctuary for our children and families, offering moments of calm amidst challenging times. They are a place for children to explore, for siblings to play, and for parents to find a quiet moment of reflection. 

We are incredibly grateful to our wonderful Gardening Club, who maintain our grounds so well throughout the year. Without your dedication, commitment and knowledge, the grounds of Alexander Devine would not look as great as they do!  

The Alexander Devine Christmas Appeal 2024 

This Christmas, as we celebrate the hard work of our volunteers, we also look to you, our supporters, to help us continue our vital work. The generosity of people like yourself ensures that we can keep providing essential services to the children and families who need us most. Without these donations, we may face the heartbreaking prospect of cutting back on the services we offer. We do not want to do that. 

Please take a moment to read our Christmas Appeal and consider making a donation. Every pound you give helps us provide the care and support that makes a real difference in the lives of so many.  

Together, we can ensure that Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service remains a place of love, joy, and hope for years to come.