May 2026 - Growing season in Marston
There’s an old saying: “Cast ne’er a clout till May is out,” which means don’t put away your warm clothes too early in spring. But it looks like spring has now properly arrived! The cherry blossom is in full bloom along Marston Road - as is the quince in the forest garden (pictured above). Our seed library is stocked, young plants are in the ground, and we’re already enjoying early produce from the allotment, including broccoli, spinach, rocket, and oregano. And there's a lot more to look forward to!
Coming up, don't miss:
Nature Walk in Old Marston - Sunday 10 May
Marston Community Gardening Annual General Meeting - Sunday 17 May
Forest Garden "Be With Nature" Sessions - May and June
Keep scrolling for more info on these and our regular summer events ⇣
News in brief
Grant success
We’ve been awarded £1,500 from the National Garden Scheme — earmarked for worms, seeds, compost and essential kit. Expect things to get even busier!
Young volunteers in action
If you’ve been to the allotment recently, you might’ve spotted some extra pairs of hands — thanks to Swan School volunteers for cracking on with clearing, watering and weeding.
A few small asks from the Court Place Farm Allotments AGM
Use saved water where you can (bills are up)
Close gates when leaving (CCTV is coming)
Volunteers are needed to show new people around (contact Jane Wilson)
Shed shop ideas welcome - what would you like in there?
Could you be ready to help something grow? We’re on the lookout for a new Treasurer!
After three years, Zoe Woodhead is stepping down — huge thanks and appreciation to her for all she’s done
It’s a small, manageable voluntary role (around 2–3 hours a month), keeping things ticking along behind the scenes — a bit of simple bookkeeping and keeping an eye on the accounts. If you’re organised and good with numbers, you’ll be fine.
In return, we can offer:
A free growing plot at Marston Community Allotments
Seasonal fruit & veg to take home
Homemade cake
Being part of something that genuinely makes a difference locally
If that sounds like your kind of thing, get in touch with Kate to find out more: hello@marstoncommunitygardening.org.uk
Spring snapshots
It was a blissful day at Gardening Together this month, with some regular and new faces getting stuck into more weeding, watering, and sowing, followed, as always, by well-deserved refreshments. The weather made it so easy to get outside and get our hands dirty!
Upcoming event details
Nature Walk in Old Marston
14:00-15:30 on Sunday 10 May
Meet at the Victoria Arms pub (Mill Ln, Oxford OX3 0PZ).
Local ecologist Judy Webb will lead a nature conservation walk along Almond Farm Fields in Old Marston. Find out more about this important site for local wildlife on Judy's website by clicking here.
Annual General Meeting
15:00-16:30 on Sunday 17 May
St Nicholas Church Hall, 4 Elsfield Rd, Oxford OX3 0PR, UK
We’re a volunteer-led community gardening group, coming together to grow food, care for trees and habitat, and look after green spaces to make our bit of Oxford greener, healthier and better for everyone. It only works because we do it together.
Our AGM is a chance to celebrate what we've achieved and look ahead, including:
Updates from project leads on how we're working together with partners
Preparations to update our branding and launch our new website
Opportunity to shape what we do next
Everyone's welcome - you don't have to be a gardener. Come along and see what's going on!
It's also a chance to bring seeds or plants to swap - we still have plenty of seeds and seedlings to spare.
Be With Nature in Marston Forest Garden
18:30-19:30 on Tuesday 19 May and Tuesday 23 June 2026
Meet at 18:20 at the main entrance, Court Farm Allotments, OX3 0PP
Join us at Marston Forest Garden for two more of these gentle one-hour guided sessions to slow down and reconnect with nature. Led by Genista Astell, we’ll start with a short intro, then have time to wander or sit quietly and reflect if you'd like to.
Ceremony for the Land - Midsummer gathering
18:30 on Wednesday 8 July
A community celebration of land, growing and connection. With guests Coral Herencia and Felipe Navarrate from Cuidemos Paraísos Foundation (Chile), bringing ceremony and song.
Save the date! More details soon.
Regular gatherings
Forest Garden Work Gatherings - 10:30am, 2nd Sunday of the month + summer evening sessions - 6:30pm until dusk, 3rd Wednesday of the month (May–August)
Court Place Farm Allotments, OX3 0PP
Gardening Together, Marston Community Gardening - 2pm, last Sunday of the month
Court Place Farm Allotments, OX3 0PP
Northway Arts & Gardening Café – pop-up sessions across summer
Northway Community Centre & Gardens, OX3 9RF
Other local partner events
Giving Garage & Community Larder - 9-11am, every Saturday
Marston Eco Hub, OX3 0PR
Marston Bike Doctor - 1-4pm, last Saturday of the month
Marston Eco Hub, OX3 0PR
Northway and Marston Community Kitchen - every Wednesday, cooking from 10.30; serving from 1pm
Northway Community Centre, OX3 9RF - Contact: northwaytogether@gmail.com
Marston Wombles - monthly - contact marstonecogroup@gmail.com to join the WhatsApp group for updates