Gardening

Contact: Margaret Richards

This group meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month for a Gardener’s Question Time style discussion where group members share their knowledge and try to help each other with advice. There is usually a suggested topic and a short talk given by one of the members. One of the topics looked at in 2022 was Wild Garden Flowers.

Plant swaps are a regular feature of the meetings. Visits are arranged in addition to the Tuesday meeting (please check the ‘What’s on’ page of the website to confirm a Tuesday meeting is planned as occasionally they may not occur due to visits).

Days for visits may vary and may be to members’ gardens, NGS open gardens or other suitable venues / events that are related in some way to Gardening.

Gardening Trips-Frequently Asked Questions

Booking for Trips

Trips are discussed with the group to gauge interest, members are invited by email and places are given on a first come first served basis. Minibus travel is only available to Cardiff u3a members.

Trip Details

Trip details and travel arrangements are sent by email to those attending.

Departure time and place from the garden will be confirmed on arrival.

Lunch/Food

Some gardens have cafes, some will provide bookable tea and cake at a cost, whilst others will have no food available.

The specifics for each garden will be made clear by email prior to booking.

Safety

A deep and thoughtful assessment of the risks faced by participants on a Gardening trip has been carried out. What can be done to minimise those risks has come up with the following recommendations:

Garden terrain - Slips, trips and falls

Details of the garden terrain and accessibility are made clear to members of the group before booking; verbally, by email and by garden website link. Where there are a variety of path types, these are shown on the garden website map; online in advance of the trip, at the venue or in the introductory talk at the venue. Appropriate footwear is essential as is appropriate clothing for variable weather conditions.

Minibus travel

Clear instructions given by VEST minibus drivers for entering and exiting the minibus and for safe travel should be heeded.

Travel in own vehicle

For those travelling to the garden using their own vehicle the trip starts on arrival at the garden.

Other points

Some of our trips may identify additional risks. If this is the case they will be highlighted in advance or on the day.

My phone number will be in the email sent out ahead of the trip.

VEST minibuses carry a First Aid kit.

Your u3a Beacon details allow you to add an Emergency Contact if you wish.