The subject of community-gardening projects has had an airing on the Forum. Read more here
'As well as providing a means for the public to learn more about home-grown produce, the initiative has the added benefit of encouraging healthy eating, increasing the level of organic food consumption and cutting down on 'food mileage', thereby helping to reduce global carbon emissions.'
Gardening.co.uk was very interested to hear from Helen Marshall and her nationwide organic gardening project which is looking for volunteers: Helen writes:
'The Organic and Eco-lifestyles business Gaian Life is launching a new nationwide initiative called 'Home Grown Organic' and we are currently seeking additional volunteer committee members for the project.
The initiative aims to provide a listing of 'expert gardeners' who are available to carry out organic veg/herb/salad growing in people's back gardens and also online community, support and information services for the public participants and expert gardeners.
Grow your own organically
'We hope that with some first-hand experience and tuition, the public will become more confident in 'growing their own' and also in using organic methods. As well as providing a means for the public to learn more about home-grown produce, the initiative has the added benefit of encouraging healthy eating, increasing the level of organic food consumption and cutting down on 'food mileage', thereby helping to reduce global carbon emissions.
'The three positions currently open are for volunteer committee members who will help guide and manage the project throughout the UK. A passion for organic gardening and a commitment to moving towards a more eco-friendly future is essential for the committee members and we are looking for volunteers with a background in at least one of the following areas:
Vegetable and edible plant growing
Organic gardening methods
Permaculture gardening methods
Community gardening
To receive more information about the initiative or to enquire about becoming a volunteer committee member, please email eco@gaianlife.co.uk.'
Sheltered scheme
Meanwhile
Iqbal Hussain was on the lookout for a volunteer garden designer to help with an elderly person's sheltered scheme. Iqbal says:
'We are a Housing Association looking for a Garden Designer to volunteer to design a garden on
one of our elderly persons sheltered scheme in Croydon, London.
We are unable to offer any payment as we have a limited budget. If anyone who lives locally would be available to spend some time on this project it would be very much appreciated. Please email iqbal.hussain@hyde-housing.co.uk.'
I'm delighted to say that, after Iqbal posted that thread on the Forum, my friend Kevin, who does a variety of gardening and building jobs for other grateful friends around South London, got in touch with him and it looks like he's going ahead to work on the design. Once completed, Kevin promises to come up with a written account and photographs, so I for one will be looking forward to that.
Community planting scheme
And elsewhere, site member
Charlotte Ryland needed advice on a
planting scheme for a community gardening project that won't cost too much and will include some durable plants. She says:
'I'm involved in a community gardening project and am organising a planting session at the beginning of March, in a large soil-filled planter.
I'm very much a novice gardener though, and so need advice about what plants are best to buy that will last through the spring without needing too much tender loving care. If possible, they should be colourful and reasonably priced! Any suggestions gratefully received.'
Gardening.co.uk Q&A expert, Val Bradley, replies:
'You could do worse than stick to tried-and-trusted faves like Forsythia, Ribes, Philadelphus, Wiegela and Cotoneaster. If you need it to be people-proof, Rosa rugosa has lovely flowers, fragrance and hips, but is very thorny. None of these will be expensive and will survive almost anything!'
Thanks for bringing community gardening schemes to the site's attention. Please keep sending in details of any similar projects you are involved with, whether at home or abroad, and details of any help needed. I look forward to hearing from you. (Sarah B, editor – Gardening.co.uk).
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