So many people ask us about plants and wildlife while we are gardening at the station.

So we've decided to design a new sign to help guide people through plants that thrive in our soil locally, most of which we have planted in and around the station or across the other sites wee look after.

This will give us a chance to share with everyone more information about the insects, invertebrates and other wildlife that love to be in the gardens as much as we do and plants that can thrive here.

We also wanted to share tips about sustainable gardening, how to mitigate against the effects of climate change, and how to encourage key wildlife that will in turn help our environment.

We love to share our knowledge with others, and are passionate about spreading the word of why gardening is such a great thing to do in groups, with friends and family, and how it increases everyone's sense of well being.

The new information sign will feature 4 subject areas that mean a lot to us as garden volunteers. This sign has been made possible by funding we have received from generous donations from :

The amazing panels have been designed by our wonderful and very talented, local linocut and printmaker - Cath Deeson. We hope you'll agree that it is beautiful and sums up all the things we love about community gardening.

We shall be revealing the final designs very soon, and launching our sign in late Autumn. Watch this space for more details and sneak previews of the finished artworks.

Below are some additional tips, hacks and ideas for plants that thrive here in Broadstairs.

We also want to encourage anyone that has a garden to be more sustainable and  also to work towards encouraging more wildlife and pollinators to take up residence.

It's not just about right plant right place ( although that is important of course! ) it's also about planting sustainably to reduce the need for water and keep plants and trees healthy and strong, and considering including and encouraging plants which insects and other wildlife love too.

Working together outdoors is a very special thing, so we'll share what we all know to be the power of volunteering as a group outside.

There are thousands of alkaline ( chalky) soil-loving plants, but here are just a few of our favourites that you will see across all the sites we maintain :

• Agapanthus
• Achillea
  
• Hebe
• Viburnum
• Lavender
• Erigeron
• Echium
• Eyringium ( Sea Holly)
• Poppy

Here are some pictures taken of all the gardens we look after in Broadstairs. So we know they like it here!!

There are a few simple things you can do to encourage our wild friends to take up residence in your garden, increase the biodiversity and bring all the benefits that nature's predators and pollinators bring.

•  Plan your plants with wildlife in mind
• Install a bug house - you can make one easily! - Click here or here for suggestions for construction
• Construct a pile of logs in a safe corner creating a shelter
• Create a water station at low level ( a deep saucer or plate will do)
• Install a bird feeder
• Plant a tree if you have space ( check how tall it will grow first!).

The RHS has great information advice about choosing and planting.

Here are some wildlife species you can encourage to take up residence

that will in turn benefit your soil and plants :

• Butterflies & Bees
• Worms & Birds
• Hedgehogs & Hovverflies
• Ground Beetles & Lacewings   

Environmentally-friendly and sustainable gardening is something Town Team consider to be of vital importance in everything we do

 A few tips and tricks and useful links we want to share :

• Plant Native plants - our friends from Kent Wildlife Trust have a great list
• Dig Less - here's a little about why it' a good idea
• Install a water butt or butts- there are loads of styles and sizes to choose from   ·
• Work with the season
• Make your own compost
• Mulch more
  

 More watering tips we have learned :

 Water as far down, as close to the root of the plant as you can to prevent run off, evaporation and wasted water. Amazing other 'hacks about re-using plastic bottles in your garden here too

Save Shower, bath and washing up or 'grey' water - tips here

Use a watering can rather than always a hose. Here's why and how it can save you money

Plant a tree if you have space ( again, check how tall it will grow first!)

Plant for pollinators - see the difference it makes. In this case, native and non-native plants help together.

Water early in the morning or late at night to avoid evaporation

Many drought tolerant plants have silver or grey-green leaves, their light leaf colour reflecting the harsh rays of the sun. Some have a coating of fine hairs on their leaves or stems, helping to trap moisture around the plant tissues.

If you'd like to find a specific plant the, the RHS also have an amazing plant finder resource that is free to access.

Below is a selection of plants with good drought-tolerant properties :

Trees

Acacia dealbata (mimosa) AGM: Height 15-30m (50-100ft); spread 15m (50ft)
Cercis siliquastrum (Judas tree) AGM: Height and spread 10m (30ft)
Koelreuteria paniculata (golden rain tree) AGM: Height and spread 10m (30ft)
Ptelea trifoliata ‘Aurea’ (hop tree) AGM: Height: 5m (15ft)

Conifers

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (Lawson cypress): Height and spread variable according to cultivar
Cupressus arizonica var. glabra: 10-15m x 4-5m (30-50ft x 12-15ft)
Juniperus: Height and spread variable according to species and cultivar
Pinus: Height and spread variable according to species and cultivar

Palms

Cordyline australis AGM: 3-10m x 1-4m (10-30ft x 3-13ft)
Trachycarpus fortunei AGM: (20m x 2.5m (70ft x 8ft)

Small shrubs

Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ AGM: 60cm x 90cm (2ft x 3ft)
Halimium: Height and spread variable according to cultivar
Hebe: Height and spread variable according to cultivar
Lavandula (lavender): Height and spread variable according to cultivar
Nandina domestica (sacred bamboo) AGM: 2m x 1.5m (6ft x 5ft)
Ozothamnus ledifolius AGM: 1m x 1m (3ft x 3ft)
Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Blue Spire’ AGM: 1.2m x 1m (4ft x 3ft)
Santolina chamaecyparissus AGM: 50cm x 50cm (20in x 3ft)

Medium-large shrubs

Abelia × grandiflora AGM: 3m x 4m (10ft x 12ft)
Arbutus unedo AGM: 8m x 8m (25ft x 25ft)
Callistemon citrinus: Height and spread variable according to cultivar
Elaeagnus angustifolia AGM: 6m x 6m (20ft x 20ft)
Olearia macrodonta AGM: 6m x 5m (20ft x 15ft)
Ozothamnus rosmarinifolius  ‘Silver Jubilee’ AGM: 2-3m x 1.5m (6-10ft x 5ft)
Vitex agnus-castus: 2-8m x 2-8m (6-25ft x 6-25ft)

Climbers

Campsis: 10m (30ft)
Eccremocarpus scaber AGM: 3-5m (10-15ft)
Jasminum officinale: 12m (40ft)
Passiflora caerulea (e.g. ‘Constance Elliott’ AGM): 10m (30ft)
Solanum crispum: 6m (20ft)

Perennials

Baptisia australis AGM: 1.5m x 60cm (5ft x 2ft)
Bergenia: 30-60cm (1-2ft) x 45-60cm (18in-2ft)
Euphorbia: Height and spread variable according to cultivar
Eryngium: Height and spread variable according to cultivar
Echinops: Height and spread variable according to cultivar
Heuchera: Height and spread variable according to cultivar
Osteospermum jucundum AGM: Height 10-50cm (4-20in) Spread 50-90cm (20in-3ft)
Verbena including V. rigida AGM and V. bonariensis AGM:  Height and spread variable according to cultivar

Grasses

Cortaderia selloana: 2.5 -3m x 1.5m (8-10ft x 5ft)
Panicum virgatum: 1m x 75cm (3ft x 30in)
Pennisetum alopecuroides: 0.6-1.5 x 0.6-1.2m (2-5ft x 2-4ft)
Stipa gigantea: AGM 2.5m x 1.2m (8ft x 4ft)
Briza media
Pennisetum rubrus

Containers and borders

Alonsoa
Amaranthus
Arctotis
Argyranthemum
Bidens
Brachyscome
Calendula officinalis (pot marigold)
Cerinthe major
Convolvulus sabatius
Cosmos bipinnatus
Eschscholzia californica (Californian poppy)
Felicia
Gazania
Gomphrena globosa
Helianthus (sunflower)
Helichrysum petiolare
Heliotropium
Helipterum roseum (syn. Rhodanthe chlorocephala subsp. rosea)
Ipomoea purpurea
Lantana camara
Lavandula multifida, L. dentata
Limnanthes douglasii
Limonium sinuatum
Mesembryanthemum
Mirabilis jalapa
Nicotiana
Nigella damascena
Osteospermum
Papaver somniferum
Pelargonium
Plectranthus
Portulaca grandiflora
Senecio maritima
Silybum marianum
Tithonia rotundifolia
Tropaeolum majus
Verbena
Zaluzianskya ovata (night phlox)

Half-hardy succulents

Aeonium
Aloe
Delosperma cooperi
Drosanthemum
Lampranthus

Without our amazing volunteers, Town Team would not be able to maintain and love the plants and gardens that we want everyone in our town to enjoy.

There are very important things we can all take from volunteering, working together outside and specifically gardening.

Gardening together connects you to your community, enhances our green spaces and encourages cross-generation working too.

Here are just a few reasons that we love working together on Broadstairs' gardens

Community Gardening matters

Being active in nature promotes a healthy lifestyle

There’s always something new to learn and enjoy

Sharing time, ideas and plants makes us happy

Observing nature and the seasons helps us feel good

Improved mental well being

Enhances green spaces

Sharing and building gardening and environmental knowledge

Images of our amazing and dedicated volunteers working together, on gardens, and other Town Team projects outside