Hi giyers, as you probably know, GIY is no longer able to insure us so unfortunately we will have to close this group. However, some of our members who have public liability insurance on their own properties have offered to host gardening events for us under their own names. Thank you so much for that, people! If you would like to organise an event let me know. Otherwise it will be a seed swap in spring. You can find information on our Facebook page, West Tyrone Garden Friends. If you don't use Facebook but would like to keep in touch please let me know by email. Thanks and happy gardening.

We just won €1000 from EnergiaGIG and GIY to help us plant a community orchard in Newtownstewart! Thanks for the funds!

Our last apple pressing event on Saturday 21st October was for NIOGS and was held at Anne and Norman's place near Limavady. Plenty of people and apples made plenty of juice. Everyone was delighted.
So to sum up our apple pressing season, we did 3 community events including this one, our own GIY event at Bradkeel, Plumbridge and Augher Community Garden and there were 4 private events - Omagh, Clady, Inishowen and Urney. Thanks again to GIY and Energia GIG for the new equipment. Now we need to think about getting more apple trees out there, and maybe doing our own grafting too. I've been able to to taste some of the eating apples we planted 4 years ago as they fruited this year. They were Irish varieties from ISSA and have definitely been worth waiting for. There's nothing quite like walking down your garden and picking an apple off a tree you planted and eating it standing amongst the trees!
PS - We've just been asked for the small press again so it looks like that will be 5 private events! Amazing - well done all you locals who are bringing food home! Or in this case drink :-)

Spuds spuds spuds spuds :-) we'll share a list later in the week and you can let us know which you would like to try.

Hi everyone. Wait till next weekend for seed spuds, should have them all by then. I'll make a list of types. Also the onion sets should be here by then.

This one is for Billy... please send me details of the enormous cutting you gave me at the seed swap. Because, they seem to be a very vigorous clone well (so far) but it's only a week since I planted the cuttings, so who knows who dares?

I'm coming out of winter isolation.

I value the interaction, aims, and companionship of the GIY.

I want to be a valuable member.

Your seeds were NOT wasted.

Exact details regarding my hard winter cuttings given out at the seed swap. Keep them damp and expose to the sun. Wait... they might look dead right now., but give them a chance and you might be rewarded.

Thanks for a good day out.

Hi everyone, thanks to all those who came along to our seed swap. Great to see you. Our next event will be our plant swap in April. I'll keep you posted.