> Stories and Updates

Our Muirhouse Mural Project is Complete!

October 8, 2024

 

(All credit and a huge thank you to Julie Howden for the fantastic photos. Images courtesy of the National Galleries of Scotland.)

It’s been an exciting year in Muirhouse, with the building and opening of its very own Neighbourhood Garden. We’ve been delivering growing workshops to the community since September 2023, which included building growing beds for local people to adopt, and we’re delighted to now have twelve households tending to their own plots. By building neighbourhood gardens like this one on council estates, we aim to create safe, colourful, and inviting spaces where locals can come together as a community to enjoy activities alongside growing and sharing food. This summer, we had the perfect opportunity to collaborate with other local organisations and young people to create something joyful in and for the space – and the result is fantastic!

The Project

While building the garden, we noted a dirty and graffitied wall in need of some TLC on the adjacent disused garages that were being renovated – a blank canvas if you will!

We chatted with Muirhouse Youth Development Group (MYDG) who highlighted that a lot of the young people they work with are creative, and so a mural project seemed a great way to engage and support young people, their families, and the wider Muirhouse community to make the garden space their own and build their connection with it for years to come.

To curate lots of ideas and bring the project to life, we needed an artist. Gillian Cullen (MYDG) got in touch with Holly Yeoman at National Galleries of Scotland (NGS). Holly is the Community Development Coordinator for The NGS Art Works project, and put us in touch with mural artist Natasha Russell. We also offered, via Volunteer Edinburgh, the opportunity for a corporate group to help us prepare the wall.

The stage was set, and so the project began!

The Painting Process

In July, volunteers from Black Circles spent a lovely sunny day scrubbing, wire brushing, and painting the wall in preparation for the mural, which gave the staff an opportunity to get out of the office into the fresh air, spend time with one another, and support a community project.

Throughout August the MYDG, NGS, and Natasha worked on designing and painting the mural, with lots of gardening skills such as seed planting learned along the way, blending creativity with outdoor education.

‘During the mural workshops, the opportunity for the group to work on creative painting work whilst spending time in the garden felt really valuable and it was lovely to see people splitting their time between watering, potato picking, vegetable tasting, and painting their designs.’

  • Natasha Russell, Lead Artist

The bright colours and interesting shapes of flowers and produce in the Muirhouse garden were the focus of the design, which allowed for lots of exploring. The young people also visited the Botanical Gardens, walked around the neighbourhood, and looked through the NGS’ collection of horticultural artworks for inspiration. Natasha then led several workshops with the young people to come up with the designs, which were cut out and arranged into a collage to make up the final composition.

Natasha also attended community gardening sessions to chat to participants about what they would like included in the mural. Shapes such as the allium flower buds are results of these conversations, which were a great way to involve participants in the project.

‘I loved working with the young people, staff, and wider community to gather ideas, design, and paint this mural together. It’s been great to see how the young people have taken inspiration from the garden’s plants.’

  • Natasha, Lead Artist

It was wonderful to see the young people spend time getting creative and curious in a natural outdoor space, working together, and developing their confidence throughout the process.

The Mural Unveiling

We welcomed residents, lead artist Natasha, local organisations and MYDG’s budding young artists to an open day in the garden on Monday 16th September, and were blessed with some final rays of summer sunshine over an afternoon of tea, cake, and activities – including fantastic botanical art workshops from artists Seamus Killick and Alexa Hare of NGS.

‘It’s been fantastic to work alongside the local young people and wider community on this project. My hope is that the participants have built a long-lasting connection with the garden and continue to make the space their own. The project has shown that community gardens are not just for horticulture but can be spaces for all kinds of activities – arts, relaxation, exercise, whatever you want it to be!’

  • Pippa Lobban, GT Community Garden Development Officer

We were delighted that so many people came together to celebrate the young people’s achievement, a few of whom took part in the mural ribbon cutting ceremony. Each were given a certificate for their amazing contributions to the project, with certificates also awarded to the Lend A Hand team for their hard work renovating the garages themselves. It was a fantastic afternoon and a wonderful way to round off the project!

 

The Final Result

The final mural is vibrant and joyful – a reflection of and credit to the wonderful young people that created it, as well as the Muirhouse community. It’s become a real focal point in the area, with gardeners and local passers-by commenting that it has brightened up the space, and made the garden feel more lived in. It can also be spotted from a nearby roundabout, which has sparked local curiosity and encouraged people to wander up the path to see what is happening – more footfall in and around the garden is always positive!

‘The mural is great, it really brightens up a blank space.  The gardeners love it, it’s made them feel like the garden is part of something bigger and it’s great to see several of the local kids popping in to show their painting skills off to their friends.’

Sylva Atkins, GT Community Gardener at Muirhouse Neighbourhood Garden

We hope that the young people’s time in the garden throughout the summer has grown their understanding of and appreciation for the space, and encouraged them to use and care for it alongside their family, friends, and neighbours as they grow older, fostering community spirit along the way.

A massive thank you and well done to everyone involved, and here’s to many more creative community garden projects in the future!

A new mural at Muirhouse Community Garden organised by the National Galleries of Scotland was unveiled by some children who worked on it with artist Natasha.

Muirhouse growing sessions run Wednesdays 9:30am-12:30pm, and Sundays 1-4pm, our map will help you find us! Pop in to see the mural for yourself, have a wander around the garden and chat to the lovely group – a cup of tea and a biscuit are always on offer, and Sylva will be happy to chat to you if you’d like to get involved with growing.

MYDG provides opportunities for local young people that foster a positive view of their own future and their impact on the world around them.

National Galleries of Scotland brings together a world class collection of artworks across the National, Modern, and Portrait galleries in Edinburgh.

You may also like…

Muirhouse Neighbourhood Garden: Community Gardens Are About More Than Growing Food!

Meet Our Community Gardeners: Sylva, Muirhouse Neighbourhood Garden

Project Update: Muirhouse Neighbourhood Garden

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> Gardens

Leith Community Growers

 

Leith Community Growers are a vibrant group that have contributed so much to their local community over the years – including distributing 100 planters around the area during lockdowns, providing free hot meals to the community during winter months, and running regular growing workshops with a range of local organisations such as Saheliya, Pilton Youth Project, and North East Edinburgh Elderly Care Action.

They’re always keen to try something new and regularly take on a wide-range of exciting growing projects – flax seed fashion, wheat growing and bread making, mushroom cultivation – you name it, there’s something for everyone to enjoy! They’ve also hosted events and stalls as part of Edinburgh Climate Festival in recent years with huge success, and you can often find them at Leith Walk Police Box for a chat about community growing, usually with some free seeds or plants thrown in.

A huge project for them at the moment is the Leith Links Orchard, where they’ve been planting a wide-range of produce and a wildflower patch, and recently held a fruit harvest festival. They also have a pop-up garden on Leith Walk, so there’s so many ways to get involved.

Take a peek at their Instagram for a look at some of these projects, and check out their calendar here!

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> Gardens

Hutchison Neighbourhood Garden

 

The Hutchison garden has been a real labour of time and love, and it’s success since work began in 2023 is thanks to the hard work of a dedicated group of residents who wanted to transform their local greenspace and grow food in a place that could bring the community together – and they’ve done just that!

‘We’ve met a lot of neighbours who we’d never met before’ – from an STV news segment on the garden, which you can watch here.

The project is home to around 47 gardeners, who have done a fantastic job of self-building the garden with the support of Community Gardener Gaby. 2024 marked their first growing season, and the group were delighted with their abundant harvest. They’ve also made a real effort to organise some lovely events for the community throughout the year, including BBQs. fetes, quizzes, and bookbug sessions for kids. Everyone is welcome at these events – which have been a great chance for neighbours to get to know one another and relax in a beautiful outdoor space – with plans for many more in the future.

Fun Fact: There are at least 13 different nationalities in the garden, which has meant the chance to try a wide-range of amazing dishes and flavours at community BBQs!

The group have their own Facebook Page – have a look for info about upcoming events.

Get involved

Session times: Thursdays & Saturdays: 9:30am – 12:30pm
Contact name: Corina Bremer
Email: hutchisongarden@gmail.com

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> Stories and Updates

Muirhouse Neighbourhood Garden: Community Gardens Are About More Than Growing Food!

September 6, 2024

 

One of the great folks that comes along to the newly opened Muirhouse Neighbourhood Garden has been doing just that, carving out time to do something she loves – sketching. She shared with us why she loves to draw in the garden, some photos of her sketches, and highlights that community gardens are for everyone.

Have you always enjoyed sketching, and how did you come to love it as a hobby?
I did art when I was young and starting out, and am returning to it now that I’m older, with worse eyes but just as much enthusiasm and joy, Art is how I connect with the world – and it’s fun! Even the simplest sketch involves conceptual thinking so it’s deep too – and you meet really cool people along the way, there’s that as well.

What are your favourite things to sketch?
Diversity, I think, is what I enjoy most both in life and to draw.

Why do you enjoy sketching in the Muirhouse garden?
Just that it’s ok! I can sit and draw and nobody minds. I can also do polyculture in the raised bed I adopted, and nobody minds that either. Sitting and sketching is my way of saying, ‘it’s ok to be here in this garden,’ it’s for us.

Do you think that spending time sketching in the garden has a positive impact for you?
For a high-rise dweller like me the garden as a community space is all kinds of wonderful! Being able to just sit and draw is a big deal for me. I’m more used to sketching at bus stops or perhaps on the (alas increasingly rare) benches dotted around the city. A liminal activity in liminal spaces. Having a garden to sit and draw in is astonishing and unexpected – and amazing. That’s the art bit, that it’s a garden is even better, and that it’s a community garden better yet, so yes, a very positive impact.

The Muirhouse garden is new to the neighbourhood, what do you think about the garden as a space for local people?
The community here is very strong and always has been. We have a history of initiatives being helicoptered in though, so the garden is on the ‘wait and see’ spectrum as far as I can make out, with general good feeling, particularly about growing food for the community, which, given the fact that we haven’t had a supermarket for over a decade, seems a very good idea. I think people are unsure if they’re just expected to donate hours to help. Many people walk past and look in, wave, but under their eyes is what they must do next to keep going in their own lives, not much time nor energy for donating hours.

What would you say to those people to encourage them to stop by for a chat with neighbours, or simply to enjoy the space without feeling as though they have to donate hours?
They should know that there’s really no pressure! My approach is to wave and say hello if I’ve seen someone pass by a few times. Sometimes they’ll pause and chat a little longer, mention how nice the garden is – and that gives me the chance to say they’re welcome to come in for a wander and closer look.

Find your local community garden to see how you can get involved and explore how you can use the space using our map.

Muirhouse Neighbourhood Garden holds gardening sessions every Wednesday from 9:30am-12:30pm, and Sunday from 1-4pm.

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> Stories and Updates

Meet Our Community Growers: Stuart, Oxgangs Growers

March 15, 2024

 

We’re introducing one of our Community Gardeners each week on the run up to spring – after all, it always helps to know a friendly face! This week Stuart of Oxgangs Growers tells us a little about himself and how gardening has shaped his life!

Let’s hear a little about you! Where are you from, and what brought you to Edinburgh?

I currently work as a horticultural training instructor for Glasgow City Council. I am originally from Leicester and moved to Scotland after meeting my future wife on holiday. I am a career horticulturalist and have worked in many different areas within the industry.

Any memorable gardens you’ve previously worked/participated in? 

Some of the memorable gardens I have worked in are Dundas Castle, Lee Castle, Dalmahoy Country Club, and a private garden in Lanark.

Outside of gardening, any hobbies or interests?

I enjoy cycling, playing chess and enjoying family time. I do count myself lucky to have gardening as a hobby too.

What garden(s) are you currently supporting? 

I am currently supporting Oxgangs Growers to improve their local greenspaces.

How did you get into gardening? What do you enjoy about it, and how has it positively impacted you?

I started out on the YTS scheme in Leicester. Both my Mum and Dad were keen gardeners, so I guess I got it from them. The positive impact has been that it has provided me with a living and allowed me to meet a variety of people from all aspects of life.

What are you looking forward to growing/doing in the upcoming growing season? 

I am looking forward to the continued development of greenspaces in Oxgangs, and seeing our environmentally friendly border at Oxgangs Drive in bloom. I am also looking forward to seeing what the residents would like to grow.

Any words of encouragement for those who are interested in coming along?

We have a great group at Oxgangs with different levels of horticultural experience. We are all about growing food that can be used by the community, but it is more than just a gardening group, so if you want to come along and meet the group and just have a cup of tea that’s fine.

If you live locally and would like to get involved with Oxgangs Growers, keep an eye on our socials for upcoming workshops, or contact pippa@edibleestates.scot / 07549431528.

You may also be interested in…

Meet Our Community Gardeners: Johanna, Dumbiedykes Growers

Meet Our Community Gardeners: Sylva, Muirhouse Neighbourhood Garden

Meet Our Community Growers: Gaby, Hutchison Neighbourhood Garden

Meet Our Community Gardeners: Faith Davies, Broomhouse

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> Stories and Updates

Meet Our Community Gardeners: Johanna, Dumbiedykes Growers

March 1, 2024

 

We’re introducing one of our Community Gardeners each week on the run up to spring – after all, it always helps to know a friendly face! This week Johanna talks about a memorable garden she worked in as well as the wonderful work Dumbiedykes Growers are doing in their area, and shares her love of mushrooms! 

Let’s hear a little about you! Where are you from, and what brought you to Edinburgh?

I am originally from Germany. I married a Scot and moved to Edinburgh 12 years ago. I cant imagine a better city to live in. We have so many amazing green spaces and I love that I can cycle to the beach.

Any memorable gardens you’ve previously worked/participated in? 

My most memorable garden is the one I trained in. It is a beautiful private garden in the Scottish Borders surrounded by rolling hills. I grew veg and herbs, looked after the fruit trees and bushes, maintained borders and hedges, and I loved that jumping on the compost heap to squish it down was part of my job.

What garden(s) are you currently supporting?

I currently garden with a group of very dedicated residents in Dumbiedykes. There are lots of small green spaces in different corners (and on different levels – everything is on a slope) of the estate. We have planted lots of edibles and been doing a general tidy up. It haa been amazing when people passing by have thanked us for looking after the place. It’s also been brilliant to see neighbours getting to know each other through gardening. Hearing things like ‘I would have never spoken to this neighbour but now that we both go to gardening we stop and chat in the street,’ or ‘I have grown nasturtiums for years, but I had no idea you could eat the flowers’ is just magical.

How did you get into gardening? What do you enjoy about it, and how has it positively impacted you? 

I have always been a hobby gardener and love the outdoors. After years of doing an office job I felt a little trapped sitting in a big glass building looking at a screen for what felt like a long time, so I decided to become a gardener before turning 40 – and I did. I did a course with the Royal Horticultural Society and the Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, followed by a practical traineeship through the ‘Working for Gardeners Association.’

I love being outdoors in all weathers, tending to my little inner city patch where I grow wildflowers, lots of herbs, and berries. I like the mindfulness of being in the garden, and seeing the changing seasons is always beautiful. It brings you back into the present moment when everything else is rushed and busy.

What are you looking forward to growing/doing in the upcoming growing season?

I am very excited about growing mushrooms this year. I went to a mushroom growing workshop with the Dumbiedykes Growers, and we all took a growing kit home. We have been comparing photos of what our mini indoor mushroom farms look like. It is amazing to watch, they grow so fast! It has inspired us to try growing some outdoors too.

Any words of encouragement for those who are interested in coming along? 

It is so much easier to get to know people while sharing an activity. Just come along, everyone is really friendly and welcoming. You do not have to commit, just pop by when you can and stay as long as you like – theres no pressure. It gives a real sense of achievement helping to look after your local greenspace, but if you just want to come for a blether, that is fine too!

If you live locally and would like to get involved with Dumbiedykes Growers, come along to their growing session:

Sundays: 9:30-11:30am (The group meet by the fruit trees on Viewcraig Street.)

For more info, drop Johanna an email at johanna@edibleestates.scot

You may also be interested in…

Meet Our Community Gardeners: Sylva, Muirhouse Neighbourhood Garden

Meet Our Community Growers: Gaby, Hutchison Neighbourhood Garden

Meet Our Community Gardeners: Faith Davies, Broomhouse

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> Stories and Updates

Meet Our Community Gardeners: Sylva, Muirhouse Neighbourhood Garden

February 23, 2024

 

We’re introducing one of our Community Gardeners each week on the run up to spring, after all, it always helps to know a friendly face! This week Sylva shares a little about herself, how she got into gardening, and what she loves to grow. 

Let’s hear a little about you! Where are you from, and what brought you to Edinburgh?

I’m from Southampton originally but have lived in Scotland since 1997. I came to Edinburgh to study and then wanted to explore further north. I’ve lived all over Scotland, in the highlands and islands, before finally settling back in Edinburgh.

What community garden(s) are you currently supporting?

Muirhouse Neighbourhood Garden, growing sessions have just started up!

What do you enjoy about gardening, and how has it positively impacted you?

I’ve always enjoyed gardening; my parents showed me what kinds of food I could grow and I was hooked. It’s a great way to spend time with other people, there’s always time for a cuppa and a chat too.

What are you looking forward to growing/doing in the upcoming growing season?

I joined Edible Estates in 2023, and 2024 will be the Muirhouse garden’s first growing season, so I am looking forward to getting to know people in the local community and seeing what we can grow together.

My favourite things to grow are big yellow sunflowers and peas – the sunflowers make me feel happy, and peas taste amazing straight from the pod.

Any words of encouragement for those who are interested in coming along?

If you’ve never grown anything before or you want to get out and meet some new people, come along and join us!

2024 marks Muirhouse’s first growing season. If you live locally and would like to get involved, adopt a raised bed this growing season! You can apply for a bed here, or pick up a paper copy at the garden during growing sessions. Whether you’re experienced or have never grown before, Sylva will be on hand to support you:

Wednesdays: 9:30am-12:30pm Sundays 1-4pm.

For more info, drop Sylva an email at sylva@edibleestates.scot

You may also like…

Meet Our Community Growers: Gaby, Hutchison Neighbourhood Garden

Meet Our Community Gardeners: Faith Davies, Broomhouse

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> Stories and Updates

Meet Our Community Gardeners: Gaby, Hutchison Neighbourhood Garden

February 15, 2024

 

Spring is thankfully not too far away, and with that you may be looking to get involved in your local community garden to spend time outdoors, grow some delicious fruit and veg, and meet new people – but we know starting something new can be daunting. We’re introducing one of our Community Gardeners each week on the run up to spring, after all, it always helps to know a friendly face! This week Gaby shares a little about herself, how she got into gardening, and some warm words of encouragement. 

Let’s hear a little about you! Where are you from, and what brought you to Edinburgh?

My name is Gaby, I am Colombian English and came to Edinburgh 10 years ago to study. I first completed a HND in Environmental Resource Management, before getting my BSc Hons in Garden Design.

Outside of gardening, any hobbies or interests?

Biology and Art have always been my passions, but I really got into gardening during my student years, having been inspired by both of my grandmothers. I’m lucky to have been able to really branch out after setting up my own garden design and gardening business.

What community garden(s) are you currently supporting?

Hutchison Neighbourhood Garden.

Any memorable gardens you’ve previously worked/participated in?

When I am not designing gardens, I can be found tending to care home gardens in Portobello, private gardens throughout the city, getting stuck in at WHGC’s Calders garden, and supporting growers at the Hutchison Neighbourhood Garden.

What do you enjoy about gardening, and how has it positively impacted you?

Gardening is an incredible source of inspiration and it keeps your mind and body healthy. It’s also very rewarding as it is a hands on activity that allows you to watch your plants progress through your own effort. It’s also rewarding because of it’s long-term contribution to the environment and overall health of the planet.

What are you looking forward to growing/doing in the upcoming growing season?

I am looking forward to celebrating the first yields at the Hutchison Neighborhood Garden, and the 10th anniversary of the Calders garden. Eating some freshly picked tomatoes is also high on the list!

Any words of encouragement for those who are interested in coming along?

Once you start gardening you realise how easy it can be to learn and how rewarding it is right from the get go. There is definitely something for everyone in the garden, and many friends to make while doing so.

2024 marks Hutchison’s first growing season! If you live locally and would like to get involved, why not take on a raised bed this growing season? Whether you’re experienced or have never grown before, Gaby will be on hand to support you to get going. You can apply for a raised bed here, or by picking up a paper copy during growing sessions:

Thursdays & Saturdays: 9:30am – 12:30pm

For more info, drop Gaby an email at gaby@edibleestates.scot

You may also like…

Meet Our Community Gardeners: Faith Davies, Broomhouse

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> Stories and Updates

Meet Our Community Gardeners: Faith Davies, Broomhouse

February 8, 2024

 

Spring is thankfully not too far away, and with that you may be looking to get involved in your local community garden to spend time outdoors, grow some delicious fruit and veg, and meet new people – but we know starting something new can be daunting. We’ll be introducing one of our Community Gardeners each week on the run up to spring, after all, it always helps to know a friendly face! Kicking off with Faith Davies, who shares a little about herself, what she’s looking forward to this growing season, and some warm words of encouragement. 

Let’s hear a little about you! Where are you from, and what brought you to Edinburgh?

I’m from London originally but came to Edinburgh to study twelve years ago, and have definitely put down my roots here, I love this city.

Outside of gardening, any hobbies or interests?

I am a research scientist by training, but I have always loved growing food.

Any memorable gardens you’ve previously worked/participated in?

During the pandemic I had one of those epiphanies – I realised I was pretty miserable in my science job and  really wanted to try and get a job that let me work outside closer to nature. There was an opportunity to set up a little community garden in Stenhouse, near where I live, so I jumped at that and four years later it’s still going strong,

What community garden(s) are you currently supporting?

I’m currently supporting growers in Broomhouse, with both their Market Garden and Community Orchard.

How did you get into gardening? What do you enjoy about it, and how has it positively impacted you?

Being outside more has done wonders for my mental health, and I love seeing how others enjoy being outside and gardening together too! Community gardening is so much about the chat as well as the growing – it’s about building and tending something together and having a great time doing it.

What are you looking forward to growing/doing in the upcoming growing season?

This year we’re developing our orchard a bit more. We only planted it last year so I’m really looking forward to our first crop of apples, pears, and plums this year.

Any words of encouragement for those who are interested in coming along?

If anyone is considering coming along, I’d say please do. We’re a friendly bunch and you’d be so welcome. Honestly, no experience yesterday, just a willingness to give it a go.

If you live locally and would like to get involved with Broomhouse Growers, drop Faith an email at faith@edibleestates.scot, or pop along to one of their growing sessions:

Wednesdays: 9:30am – 12pm
Saturdays: 9:30am – 12:30pm

You can find the garden down the alley behind the bakers and the One Stop Shop on Broomhouse Place North.

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Highlights of 2023

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> Stories and Updates

Highlights of 2023

December 20, 2023

 

As 2023 draws to a close, we are looking back on what we achieved this year in collaboration with our partners, volunteers, and the local people who participate in growing projects across Edinburgh. Here is a look at some of the highlights!

2023 was marked by the Edinburgh Growing Together project, which is delivered by Edible Estates, funded by City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) as the City’s Community Gardening Framework, and by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSP). The project aims to support community gardening on council housing land.

This is the first year we had a full team working on the project. Our Project Manager and Development Officer have been building relationships with existing garden groups and partner organisations, while starting new resident groups to both improve existing gardens, and create new ones. We were delighted to employ seven community gardeners across the city to support growers to achieve their skills and ambitions. Through this, we have been working to:

  • Increase production of locally grown fruit and veg
  • Create places and activities that bring communities together
  • Improve community wellbeing, skills, and knowledge

We delivered 591 hours of community gardening sessions across Edinburgh in 2023, supporting local communities to enjoy activities together, grow local produce, and improve wellbeing.

Launching the Lend a Hand Project

Launching a new project is always exciting as it means getting to know more local people and supporting them with their goals,  confidence and skills – and this is no different with Lend a Hand! While our Growing Youth project trains young people in joinery, construction, and horticulture, Lend a Hand aims to do so with people aged 50+ that are out of employment. This is a pilot project, which will be run by experienced workshop leaders. We are looking forward to getting stuck in and seeing how the project develops in 2024.

101 people newly engaged in community growing this year, meaning they spent more time outdoors being active, socialising, and learning new skills.

Bringing Greenspaces Back to Life and Getting People Involved

Greendykes Community Backgreen

The Greendykes garden was locked and out of use prior to 2023. Back in January, we met with a small number of residents to hear what they would like from the space, and from there held weekly community gardener sessions throughout the year to teach residents how to grow and establish the garden.  Over the months, the group grew to over ten participants and their families, each taking on a group of raised beds. The remaining planters were used to grow fruit, vegetables, flowers, and herbs communally. We also brought the adjoining community room back into use for shelter and for everyone to enjoy a cup of tea together during sessions. The growers had a great growing season, regularly sharing photos of their harvests and resulting meals on the group WhatsApp.

I would like to congratulate the fantastic garden that you all achieved. Now it is wonderful to look out the window and see so much life.

– Neighbour, Greendykes Community Backgreen

Hawkhill and Nisbett Courts Garden

This garden has 11 plots, each with tool storage, and there are several home-built greenhouses. When we first met the group, there were only four growers and the site needed tidying. Community Gardener Richard supported in clearing the site of rubbish and spreading compost. With the vacant plots clear and ready to use, we advertised them to residents.

We also ran a six-week Grow Your Own course to support new growers in food growing. We are delighted that as the year ends, all plots are now taken, and looking forward to seeing what everyone  grows next year.

Mount Lodge Green

Mount Lodge Green is in an area of council housing in Portobello. Locals approached CEC and Edible Estates with ideas to develop the disused greenspace on their street, which had been locked for a long time. They were supported to design a space with a central grass space for perennial plants, a wildlife border, and bird boxes. Community Gardener Paul worked with residents in a series of sessions to plant up the central biodiversity bed and perimeter wildflower area.

We are happy to see that after the efforts of everyone involved, the space has become a place where nature can thrive and neighbours come together to socialise and garden.

We installed 7000 litres of rainwater harvesting across growing projects, supporting gardeners to grow more fruit and veg while reducing water waste.

Supporting the Creation of New Gardens

Hutchison Neighbourhood Garden

The Hutchison Garden has been a long time in the making, so we were thrilled to see it come into being this year after lots of community engagement, planning, and scouting for the perfect site!

The community began building the garden in July, supported by Community Gardener Gaby. Happily, there has been steady numbers of participants, who made fast work of raised bed construction, path building, and edging the forest garden. Growing Youth ASLS sessions also run weekly from the site, which has been a nice way to see two projects work collaboratively.

We were delighted to have the garden featured on STV News whereby residents, who have lived there for many years, commented on how they had gotten to know their neighbours. The garden is quickly becoming a place where the community can gather and make positive change in their area.

It’s been great. There’s people that I’d never met before, I knew their faces but I’ve never actually spoken to them. Now we’re getting on fine. It makes a big difference, not passing people in the street

– David, Hutchison resident of 20+ years and garden  participant

Muirhouse Neighbourhood Garden

After lots of community engagement, residents began building their garden in September, with twice weekly sessions from Community Gardener Johanna. These have been well attended so far, and have also seen lots of conversations with passers by admiring the project. Raised beds have been built, the soil is prepped for the forest garden, and winter crops have been planted – all of which sets the growers up nicely for 2024!

We have also hired new Growing Youth leaders to run sessions at the site, which will provide local school-age pupils the opportunity to learn joinery, horticulture, and landscaping skills. These pupils will assist in the building of the garden and the renovation of the garages. Looking to the future, there are ideas for youth sessions with our community gardeners, and a mural project on the vacant garage wall, with young people and local artists. Watch this space!

Broomhouse Orchard

Broomhouse Market Garden has been a huge success in recent years, and Broomhouse Community Growers Association (BCGA) were keen to expand into other greenspaces in the area. We supported them to get permission to develop an orchard, which they designed with the help of orchard expert Jon Hancox.

With funding from Scotmid Orchard and Kew Gardens Grow Wild Fund, and support from Community Gardener Faith, the group set about clearing the site of weeds and rubbish, planting heritage fruit trees, and creating a wildflower area. Compost bays and rainwater collection were provided through Community Gardening Framework & UKSP funds.

The group hopes it will provide a new venue for locals to gather, opportunities to grow, harvest and eat locally sourced fruit, and become a natural space for wildlife and insects to flourish. The before and after of the site is fantastic, and we look forward to seeing it in action in 2024.

We converted 2550 metres² land into growing spaces for local communities, and built or replaced 92 raised beds.

 

Making Plans in New Communities

Dumbiedykes

In May, we held a community meeting for residents to share their ideas about growing locally, which saw lots of enthusiasm. Community Gardener Johanna then held weekly growing sessions with residents, and worked with CEC Housing Officers to gain permission to develop and maintain growing spaces across Dumbiedykes. Happily, lots of progress has been made! Growers have now built and planted up wooden planters, and developed some small plots with edible plants and those beneficial to wildlife around the area, adding some lovely spots of colour and life to the community. It has been a positive start to the project, with plans for next year to be discussed over the winter.

Oxgangs

This year we have been exploring the idea of creating smaller growing sites across Oxgangs. We worked with Oxgangs Community Church to host meetings in their Community Hub, and see if local people were interested in getting involved in community growing. These were well attended with lots of ideas flowing. Looking to the future, the plan is to start two growing projects, and Community Gardener Stuart is now leading sessions at 3 Oxgangs Drive to develop a biodiversity border and build communal raised beds.

We are pleased with the progress made in the area this year, and are excited to keep planning with residents in 2024.

Inch Plant Nursery Partnership

Edible Estates partnered with CEC’s Inch Plant Nursery to provide 35 gardens with a variety of vegetable, herb, and fruit plug plants, grown by Janice and the team. A total of 5500 plants were ordered across growing projects! The offer was popular among first-time growers, who will hopefully experience a successful 2024 growing season as a result.

Sighthill Primary School Farm Pupils Winning Gold

School Farmers work hard across the school year to grow all sorts of fruit, vegetables, and flowers, while learning about the natural world around them, so we were pleased that pupils attending Sighthill Primary School Farm were recognised at the Royal Calendonian Horticultural Society’s Spring Show Schools Competition. With support from School Farm Leader Shona, P6 & 7 pupils planted daffodils in preparation for the event, which took place in April 2023.. They selected their best blooms for competition, and were delighted to be awarded gold by the judges!

We hope everyone has a fantastic festive period, and we look forward to continuing work with our staff, volunteers, partner organisations, and local residents in 2024. Stay safe and here’s to 2024!

You may also be interested in…

Project Update: Muirhouse Neighbourhood Garden

Project Update: Hutchison Neighbourhood Garden

Project Update: Broomhouse Orchard

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