'Let's get growing'

digging up buried 'treasure' - 1.071kg
in this particular grow bag...

update Oct 2023
'Let's Get Growing' - is our ongoing community growing / gardening project.
This came about, in part, as a response to increased referrals of people to the food bank and the desire to create the opportunity to supplement food boxes with fresh fruit and veg. where possible.
Check out our facebook page at 'Crawford and Elvanfoot Le'ts Get Growing, and our dedicated blog at: https://crawfordelvanfootletsgetgrowing.wordpress.com

In 2021 we began with a potato growing challenge. We were fortunate to receive grant money for seed potatoes, grow-bags, and compost. There was enough for 100 volunteers - including our 5 primary schools - to plant up.
While some of the harvest was been kept for personal use, the greater proportion of it was given to Clydesdale Food Bank when ready. The overall weight of spuds grown and donated came to 24 stone. We were delighted with what we felt was a great start to the project! 

Reclaiming waste land: 
In Crawford: we were offered a piece of wasteland in Crawford by the Crawford and Elvanfoot Community Council (the site of a former garage). A team of volunteers have been building raised beds, and busily planting. From nothing at the beginning of the year, (2021) the following pics show how the space has gradually transformed over this year so far. It's looking great, so well done the team!
Having begun the work of reclaiming and establishing garden beds, the site continues to be used for growing all sorts of veg. and flowers...

wasteland being reclaimed...
accessorising with old petrol bowser!

 

 

composting bins...

 

   

Tree planting, 2022: We were delighted to receive a grant for 400 fruiting trees - which were duly obtained and planted around our 9 villages. One of our farmers asked if he might begin a rewilding project ... and we happily handed over 40 trees.

Incredible edibles: 

As at 2023, we've began making an inroads on our 'incredible edibles' project. We've given away 100 bags of compost, along with bags containing 10 different varieties of veg. seeds for planting.
Meanwhile, up at the church, a wee team of volunteers have now planted up 10 large tubs with wild fruiting trees, herbs, strawberries, and such. We're hoping to plant along the sides of the first part of the pathway leading up to the church with more tubs - of veg. and herbs and such, which will be available to anyone who wants it...
As we look ahead, over the next couple of years, the plan is to further make use of 'lost' spaces in the villages, as we're able, and plant up herbs, veg, fruit trees - that people can just help themselves to as needed.

Are we chuffed with how well this project is going - oh yes, we are!