With interest increasing in community gardening groups, we are opening up a new section here to highlight their activities. There is a link to a form below. Also, to build up a fuller picture of what can be grown and where and how, we would be glad to hear from individual growers, and there is a form for this as well.
Once we have the first forms in we will open up the new Growers Hub section to provide information for everyone.
PRODUCE MORE FOOD
We’ve become used to the supermarket distribution system which sources food from prime food-producing regions and carries it around the world to our local store. The system works so efficiently that the UK now imports 40% of its food.
But those key global food-producing areas are now under threat from climate change, with drought, fire and flood. This brings risks of shortfalls in global food supply, which could happen very suddenly. We are all vulnerable, whether in cities with large populations reliant on food coming in, or in islands at the end of the supermarket distribution line.
Food security requires greater self-reliance, nationally, regionally and locally – and the good thing is that this is something where every one of us can make a difference. In many other parts of the world, people have traditionally kept a well-stocked garden to tide them through uncertain times. We can grow in pots and allotments or in community gardens. Farms and market gardens can expand the range of food. Systems like polytunnels can broaden the growing season. Local shops, and supermarkets too, can widen the range of locally-produced food for the benefit of everyone. There are things that we can all do and this website aims to provide the background information needed to make a start.
IN THE GARDEN
Each of us can grow some of our food, whether in a garden or a polycrub – or in pots on a doorstep or window. Gardener Ed Bollom, who has managed historic and productive gardens across Britain, from Highgrove to Gordon Castle, is kindly helping us with advice for Orkney gardens, both in person and online. He’s providing island workshops ahead of the growing season and will be back in the Science Festival in September with topics ranging from seed-saving to rock dust trials with carrots. He’s prepared a special presentation for us which can be downloaded from here.
Here in Moray September has brought a mixture of beautiful clear days and regular very heavy downpours, both of which have served to keep the garden growing and looking surprisingly green and vibrant for so late in the season. There is no doubt that the days are getting shorter and it really is the last chance to get your cold weather crops ready for the winter.
