Our Garden Development Officer Pippa recently sat down to have a chat with grower Rab about his garden, what he has been growing this season, and what he enjoys about community gardening. During the interview, a fellow gardener popped in to say that Rab is always lending a hand with her plot, and that she benefits from his growing as he often lets her try his produce – which lended itself nicely to chatting about the community building nature of gardening. Rab brings a wealth of growing knowledge and experience to the Hawkhill site, and it made for an interesting chat!

What are you growing this season? 

I’m growing Heritage tomatoes in my greenhouses this year, which are an old-fashioned tomato, around 200—250 years old. The particular variety I’m growing are called Cherokee Purple Tomatoes, named so as they were originally cultivated by Cherokee indigenous peoples. They are an exceptional variety, and growing heritage tomatoes is beneficial as they always produce a better taste than if I were to grow bog-standard varieties. I purchase the seeds online from Nicky’s Nursery.

What are you most proud of this growing season? 

Definitely my tomatoes, as I’m confident that they will turn colour soon. I’m growing some other unique varieties including the Jersey Devil, which are almost like a pointed cone in shape, and turn a bright red-orange shade. I had never seen them before, and it’s my first time growing them. Once they are ripe I’ll taste one tomato to check their quality, but I’ll give the rest away for people to use in their cooking. 

Do you grow different crops each year? 

I change what I grow every year, for example different varieties of tomatoes and beans, which keeps it entertaining. 

Is there anything you do grow every year? 

Strawberries, they have to be perfect. I also grow framberries every year, which are a strawberry-raspberry hybrid. They are exceptional, and have a better taste than strawberries. They look like a rounder strawberry, but when you harvest them they pull out like a raspberry. Another gardener had never tried them before and she loves them now. They grow on runners, I started with six and now have twelve for next year. My hope is to multiply the amount each year, and for the other gardeners to be able to enjoy them.

So, you don’t eat much of the produce you grow? 

No, I enjoy the process of growing but I prefer to share my yields with others. It’s been a great way to get to know my neighbours better, as I’ll knock on their doors, ask if they like blueberries for example, and if they do I’ll give them my harvest to use in their recipes. 

How did you originally get into gardening?

My father had an allotment for a long time some fifty years ago, and I used to go along and help him when I was in my twenties. I took the plot on when he passed away, and kept it up for a further ten years before I moved away. I gave up on gardening due to work, until I moved to Hawkhill and put my name down for an allotment. Originally there were not a lot of people using the plots, half of them were empty for a few years, however now they are pretty much all in use. I got a plot straight away, and have been growing here for ten years. I’m a joiner by trade, and the logical and precise thinking that job needs translates well into gardening. I designed and built both of my greenhouses. 

They’ve withstood the storms well!

They have. We get a lot of wind swirling through the allotments, so I also have corrugated plastic to protect my plot, though you are meant to let a little wind through your crops. 

So, do you check the weather a lot then? 

I’m constantly checking the weather, every morning, in relation to my garden, so I can plan what I need to do to help my plants that week.

What impact does gardening have on your life? 

It’s a great hobby, it’s all I really think about, especially what my next project will be. I’m a very relaxed person and I think that’s in part due to being outside all the time, the garden gives me another space outside the home so I’m not stuck indoors.

How do you think the gardens benefit the local area? 

I think it’s nice to see greenery instead of a car park, and nice to see people tending plots. 

Is there a sense of community within the garden? 

We certainly help each other out and exchange advice. I’m more than happy to give it as a more experienced grower. Another gardener was a little disheartened when she struggled with growing cabbages, so I helped her establish paths in her plot, and how to use black plastic to limit weeds as they were ferocious. I lend a hand as I don’t want people to give up.

What skills have you learned from gardening? 

A whole selection really. There is a certain method to growing plants, and if you stick with it you will be successful. You can’t be haphazard, you have to be strict with it as those methods are there for a reason. Do that and you’ll be fine. I’ve been growing for thirty years, and I learned a lot from my dad, but really the best thing for gardening is Youtube, you can find anything on there and it’s so accessible, especially for people just getting started. 

Do you have any advice or words of encouragement for new growers?

Regardless of whether or not you are a beginner, all of the information you need is out there. Fake it until you make it, and don’t be embarrassed to ask more experienced growers for advice. 

You may also be interested in…

Project Update: Broomhouse Orchard

Edible Estates Launches Community Garden Work Programme 2022-23