This month I was delighted to be welcomed at two community growing spaces: Loughborough Children’s Centre and 85 Landor Road
Loughborough Children’s Centre
Sabrina Phipps, Deputy Manager for Early Years Support, showed me around at the children’s centre, where they have transformed a concrete playarea to a highly productive and colourful growing space. They have dozens of up-cycled plastic bins packed full of vegetables, including some unusual crops such as aubergines and a fragrant herb widely grown in Japan and East Asia known as Shiso. We chatted about the challenges of keeping the garden productive throughout the year, finding time for maintainance during their already busy schedule, as well as the ever-present threat of foxes and slugs.
Broccoli, tomatoes and sweetcorn thriving at Loughborough Children’s Centre
Nicola Bellantine is a community artist also known as isoartee. She has recently taken the lead on a shared plot at the secret gaden on Landor Road (pictured above), and is encouraging local artists to come and get involved. She has only been on the plot since May but is already growing a range of flowers and vegetables including some gorgeous tropical plants, big thyme and some very healthy-looking ginger. Nicola’s ethos is all about experimention and exploration, combining productivity with beauty, and embracing the sensory aspects of gardening. It will be exciting to see how the plot develops over the coming months.
Big thanks to Sabrina and Nicola for welcoming me to their growing spaces. IEL are committed to developing the Lambeth Food Growing Network, building relationships with and between community growing spaces. If you would like me to come and visit your space to find out more about what you’re up to and be featured in our blog and ebulletin, then please get in touch! You can email me or call on 07526274883.
Charlotte Dove, Network Manager (Lambeth Food Growing Newtork)