Not only can a perennial grassland meadow dramatically increase biodiversity, once established it is also a low-maintenance and beautiful addition to any garden.
 For the next in our series of Caretakers’ Garden workshops, we were joined by expert-meadow maker David Hunter from the Habitat People. David shared his knowledge of meadows, from what they are, to the individual species that make up their biodiversity, how to source seed and how to care for meadows once planted, and everything in between.
 This workshop led us through the steps of making meadows in different conditions; shady and sunny, in established ecosystems or from scratch. We planted a meadow in the Brander Garden together, before considering how the steps and approaches we had learned could be applied in our own gardens or community spaces.

About the Habitat People
The Habitat People are a private conservation company that works with people, businesses and organisations to manage land and create high quality habitat for the betterment of people, biodiversity and the green economy. Their purpose and goal is to create a better and stable future for wildlife and wild spaces, whilst also providing services and solutions to the people whose land they work on.

About the project This workshop forms part of our project Caretakers' Garden. Named after the former residents of the caretaker's flat at the Brander Building (now the Deveron Projects office!), Caretakers' Garden will build sustainable systems of care in the Brander and Square Deal gardens, for the benefit of current and future inhabitants. As a starting point, we are asking, what is our role in caring for these gardens in the present and into uncertain futures? How do we build the means for communities (human and more-than-human) to enjoy the gardens and care for each other in? Led by gardener Lindy Young, we will work together to create a learning space for novice and seasoned gardeners - a space for exploration, experimentation and exchange. Regular workshops, drop-in sessions and artists' projects will open the gardens up, inviting new 'caretakers' to come along and learn, help take care and be cared for.