Join Thriving with the Seasons's Community Today

Thriving with the Seasons- Weekly hands on learning here in darwen on Thursdays .  Our vision for this is those who cant make the thursdays will still be involved , share with us online or get involved in the other activities throughout the week and weekends. 

Welcome to your seasonal growing journey 

This little planner is here to help you get clear on what you’d love to grow, what space you’ve got, and how you want this project to support you.

Thriving with the Seasons is not just about vegetables. It’s about reconnecting with local, seasonal ways of living: growing food (even in small spaces), learning simple traditional skills, and finding a calmer rhythm through nervous system regulation and embodiment practice- more about that on the wellbeing section.

Take a few moments to answer the questions below and bring your ideas to your first session.

 What would you love to grow and why?

• What vegetables, herbs, or fruits would you love to have in your pots,  planters, yard, or community growing space. Think about what you actually enjoy eating, what might save you money, or what would feel exciting to harvest.
• Are there any crops that have meaning for you or your family?
  Something you grew up eating, something cultural, or a “my grandad used to grow this” kind of thing.
• Would you like to try something traditional, heritage, or seasonal?
  Older varieties, local favourites, or plants that connect you to the rhythms of spring, summer, autumn, winter.

 Get to Know Your Space

Where will you be growing

• Where do you plan to grow? Back yard, balcony, window ledge, allotment, community plot, containers,  grow bags, raised beds.
• How much light does your space get?
  Morning sun, afternoon sun, all day, or mostly shade.
• Do you have easy access to water for watering?
  Tap nearby, water butt, watering can access.
• What’s your growing setup like right now?
  Soil condition, pots/containers needed, raised bed, grow bags, compost situation.

Making it realistic – so it actually happens!

• How much time each week can you honestly give to growing?
  Even a few short bursts can work if you keep it simple and seasonal.
• What’s one thing you’re excited to learn in this project?
  Growing basics, composting, pests, seed sowing, seasonal recipes,      preserving, herbal teas, local traditions.
• Any  worries or barriers you want help with? No confidence, bad soil, not much space, pain/fatigue, motivation, not   knowing where to start, fear of “doing it wrong”.

What do you already have, and what could you share?

• Where might you get seeds or plants from?
  Swaps, community gardens, low-cost suppliers, saving seeds, sharing with others.
• What basic tools do you already have access to?
  Trowel, gloves, watering can, small pots, compost, labels. Suez recycling have offered to give us recycled tools- we will keep in touch with them.
• Would you like to learn simple seed saving as part of the seasons?
  So you can keep growing year after year, and pass knowledge on.

What will you do first?

• What’s  the first thing you’ll do to prepare your growing space?
  Clearing, tidying, getting pots, compost, planning a tiny patch.
• How  will you keep track of what you plant and when?
  Notebook, calendar, phone notes, a simple seasonal growing plan.
• How do  you want this project to make you feel?
  More grounded, calmer, connected, proud, hopeful, capable, part of something.