We are currently applying to the Local Food Programme to support a new initiative which we would like to launch, called: Growing Together.
Growing Together will link owners of unused gardens and greenhouses with other local people who would like to grow their own fruit and vegetables but don't have access to their own growing space.
There are many benefits to growing your own food including cutting down food miles, eating healthily as well as the opportunity to save up to £950 a year!
The garden sharing idea runs on the premise that there is a lot of untapped resources out there, literally in our own backyards! You might have found that you just don't have time for your garden or that its too big for you to keep up with. Maybe you find the physical side of gardening difficult or have inherited a greenhouse that you have never got around to using. Whether you have an out of control jungle or a little unused corner the Growing Together project would aim to help by introducing you to someone who is keen to become the next Monty Don but who doesn't have any space of their own.
Growing Together proposes to also help prospective gardeners every step of the way so that even complete gardening novices can get involved. The project would aim to run basic gardening courses, organise a tool bank, build a network of local gardeners, from beginner to expert, and organise events to encourage sharing of knowledge, skills, seeds, plants and harvests.
The project very much depends on attracting funding so at this stage we are trying to guage the level of demand. If you live in the China Clay Villages and have a garden, greenhouse or piece of land that you would consider sharing or are interested in growing fruit and veg in someone elses garden, we would love to hear from you. Click on the links below to answer our short questionnaire:
Or email buglegreenspace@live.co.uk or call Sara on 0845 680 6896.