Another growing season coming to an end, so it’s time to reflect on all the positive community action happening across the city! The two new neighbourhood gardens, Muirhouse & Hutchison, have had their first growing season, Oxgangs and Dumbiedykes have be improving their greenspaces through distributed projects and support has continued for existing projects. Take a look at this annual review to celebrate this years work and get inspired!

Growing Creativity

Working in partnership with Muirhouse Youth Development Group, National Galleries of Scotland and Artist Natasha Russell, a series of workshops were hosted to create a mural on a vacant garage wall in Muirhouse Neighbourhood Garden. See the story in this blog post. Participants had their first growing season whereby tonnes of produce was grown for themselves, Community Renewal Pennywell Pantry and Fidra Community Kitchen. Hear more about one of the participants creative relationship with the garden here.

Growing Community 

The Hutchison Participants have taken ownership of their space (they are now a constituted group) and have hosted series of events throughout the season. Their summer fete was attended by over 50 local people and featured a variety of activities. The site also hosts regular sessions for St Cuthbert’s Primary and Growing Youth Sessions.

“You meet lots of nice people here from all different backgrounds. We’re around 13 nationalities here actually” Gulnaz, Hutchison Participant.

Growing Biodiversity 

Along with other interventions in the area, the Dumbiedykes Growers, planted a beautiful wildflower meadow around their community orchard, to create interest and improve the landscape for pollinators. Whilst developing various plots across Dumbiedykes, the group have developed new friendships with neighbours. See participant Sean talk about this on Page 10 of Tenants Voice. 

“It’s made people take a moment to look at the flowers, but also take in our incredible view of The Crags.” – Otis, Dumbiedykes participant

Growing Positivity

The Oxgangs Growers wanted to restore a sense of pride in the local area. They have one this by revitalising an unloved corned by The Chip Inn on Oxgangs Rd North. The rubbish was removed, it was weeded and now planted with biodiversity friendly planting. Next plan is to install benches, so folk can meet whilst waiting for the bus. Through the gardening sessions, the group meet and communicate regularly. One of the highlights being the bring and share picnic after all their hard work! They have set up Oxgangs North Tenants and residents Association, to tackle wider issues in the area. 

“There’s so many good things I like about our gardening group: Making friends and learning how to grow plants and edibles with help from Stuart. Improving the local environment for everyone and making Oxgangs a nicer place to live in. Helping biodiversity.” – Denise, Oxgangs Participant

Growing Connections

The Growing Together Harvest Celebration took place in September. It was the inaugural annual gathering of community gardens and partners from across the city. There was learning exchange workshops, communal eating, a film premiere and an award ceremony. The event served to strengthen the network and the city-wide community. See blog post here

Growing Infrastructure

New additions and renovations were a big theme across community gardens in 2024! With many works completed, a few ongoing, and some just getting started – here’s a wee round up of all the improvements being made in growing projects across the city.

Sheds

Providing a communal space for growers to enjoy a cuppa, store tools, meet, and catch-up – sheds are a must for community gardens!

This year, new sheds were built in Calders Greenshoots, Calders Plinth Garden, and Hutchison Neighbourhood Garden (this one features a wheelchair accessible ramp.) Wardieburn Backgreen‘s community shed was fitted with a new roof, door, and cladding, while new shed builds have started at Sunshine on Leith Garden, and Citadel Court.

Muirhouse Neighbourhood Garden‘s derelict garages are currently being converted into a community space by the Growing Youth team – a unique twist on the community shed!

Growing Beds

What is a community garden without plenty of spots to grow fruit, veg, and flowers? While Redbraes replaced their raised beds this year, Crewe Road and Muirhouse saw lots of new beds built thanks to the hard work of residents and GT Community Gardeners.

Dumbiedykes Growers were especially busy – not only did they refresh existing growing beds around the estate, they also built new planters, and started work on a new area of raised beds in October.

Pathways

Good pathways are key to making sure gardeners have good footing and access to growing beds – especially with all the mud Scottish weather brings!

This year Calders Greenshoots rennovated their pathways, while Stenhouse Good Roots made their space more accessible by installing wheelchair accessible paths. New neighbourhood gardens in Hutchison and Muirhouse were also fully kitted out with brand new pathways.

Seating

A good bench makes a welcome spot for growers, residents, and passers-by to have a rest, enjoy the garden scenery, or chat with neighbours. Craigmillar Court built a new bench for their space this year, while picnic benches were installed at Muirhouse Neighbourhood Garden. Over at Greendykes Community Allotment, a new sheltered seating area is currently being built.

Rainwater Harvesting & Compost Bays

Making their spaces more efficient and enviromentally-friendly, Hutchison finished up building rainwater harvesting and composting facilities this year, with Dumbiedykes Growers on their way to completing the same works.

Growing Forwards

We’ll continue to work together over the winter to make big plans for the 2025 growing season! Oxgangs Growers are waiting on permission to develop a local bowling green, Hutchison Growers are fundraising for a polytunnel, there’s an intergenerational project on the cards at Muirhouse and a rainwater harvesting system in the pipeline at Dumbiedykes. Building on the connections made and nurtured at the Harvest Celebration is a priority. Lots of learning exchanges and cross-community collaborations could come from this. Here’s to another year Growing Together!

If you’re interested in learning more or would like to collaborate contact pippa@edibleestates.scot or 07549 431 528