Gardening Group
Brookmill Park features a variety of planting from the formal rose garden near the fountain, to open lawns and shrubs, to areas where daffodils and wildflowers flourish. All need attention to make the most of our local green space and its potential as a place of recreation and biodiversity increase.
The Brookmill Garden Group was established in 2016 and works closely with contractors Glendale who carry out a year-round programme of overall green-space management. The Garden group provides additional horticultural care and contributes to detailed planting decisions and longer-term maintenance strategy
In addition to regular sessions, the Group organises one-off community events when additional planting efforts are needed and initiates individual projects, calling on expert help when necessary. One notable initiative is successful introduction and growth of the rare Deptford Pink, currently on the UK’s Endangered Species list and a focus for conservation at a national level.
How you can get involved
The Group meets on the first Saturday (at 11.00am) and first Wednesday (at 2.00pm) of each month. Each session operates on a drop-in basis. All volunteers are welcome whatever their experience and time available. We provide all tools and equipment. You are asked to let us know if you’d like to take part so we can inform you of any last-minute changes.
Since 2016, Garden Group projects include:
• Working with Glendale to restock and mulch the rose beds in the formal area.
• Weeding and caring for the rose and herb beds. (Glendale is responsible for seasonal planting in the four corner beds.)
• Raising funds to plant lavender and hedge germander around the roses to increase plants attractive to pollinators. These also shelter frogs.
• Harvesting lavender enables families to make lavender bags. Follow our visual guide to make your own.
• Planting and watering climbers on the pergola.
• Negotiating with Glendale to end weed killer use in the park.
• Working with Glendale to restore biodiversity to the strip between the cycle track and Brookmill Road.
• Sowing this formerly barren strip with wildflowers.
• Liaising with Lewisham’s Greenscene and Glendale to install a water point near the formal area.
• Operating a volunteer watering rota in periods of extreme drought.
• Experimenting with habitats to establish the rare Deptford Pink. Cultivating seedlings, conserving and distributing seeds.
• Organising a biodiversity audit of the park by an ecology expert; liaising with Glendale re commitment to recommendations.
• Hosting an annual community bulb-planting session to plant daffodils along the green strip beside the cycle track and add bulbs elsewhere in the park. 2500 bulbs planted since 2021.
• Visioning and delivering renovation of rockery planting near terrace area as part of successful NCIL (Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy) bid.
• Piloting drought-tolerant planting in one trial bed in formal area (2025).