Sowing the seeds for new life in old earth

Tom Wright

08 May 2013

Digging up the earth in a cemetery usually only means one thing. I have to admit to being a bit nervous as I put my foot on the spade for the first time. But thankfully the only things that'll be springing up between the gravestones in Walthamstow Cemetery are wildflowers.  

It's an unusual site for a Bee World. Although I dare say the bees themselves won't care as long as there's nectar to be had.  

Why a cemetery of all places? It's all down to a group of local residents who've set up a gardening group to spruce up the site. Waltham Forest Friends of the Earth offered to help provide wildflower seeds and publicity.  

The bank holiday weather stayed with us as we cleared the ground of branches, twigs and stones. I'm slightly in awe of gravediggers now. The earth hadn't been disturbed for many years. It was rock solid and incredibly tough to break up.  

Thankfully we were also joined by staff from Melvita - the organic beauty product retailer that's backed the Bee Cause campaign. People who'd picked up on our publicity came along to lend a hand too. I even persuaded my MP Stella Creasy to join in. She raked and dug with everyone else and then helped to sow the first seeds.

The blossoming wildflowers will soon bring some colour to the cemetery. They'll also provide vital habitat for bees and other pollinating insects. A great morning's work all round.

You don't need a cemetery to create your own Bee World. Why not get some wildflowers to plant where you live by ordering a Bee Saver kit?

Tom Wright, Activism Team