In 2021, Edible Estates was asked by
Community Renewal, an organisation supporting community development in Muirhouse, to identify how community greenspace projects could be developed in the area after a group of local people expressed interest in becoming involved in a greenspace project. Surveys and design workshops revealed local people would like a neighbourhood garden space in their area. After Re:Solution conducted a Greenspace Study in October 2021, a suitable site next to Fidra Court was chosen.
Alongside Community Renewal and
Fidra Court Community Kitchen, we then held events to gather ideas from residents and chat about the benefits a neighbourhood garden would bring to the area, and we were pleased to see lots of enthusiasm about growing a sense of community and having a space to socialise and learn new skills. Meanwhile we worked with the Council to secure funding to build paths and fencing for the garden.
The project saw a fun and productive first gardening session on the 10th of September 2023, where local residents got stuck in chatting with neighbours while building raised beds, planting winter crops, and enjoying some much needed refreshments from the lovely team at Fidra Kitchen. We were also delighted to receive a donation of plants for the first session from
Inch Plant Nursery. Since then, twice-weekly sessions have been running with the support of Community Gardener, Johanna, and we are pleased to see they have been well attended by the local community. Happily, the garden’s location allows local people to stop for a chat and get involved, which has meant lots of community engagement.
So far lots of progress has been made, with half of the raised beds built, winter crops planted up in the first two planters, and lots of soil prepped for the forest garden. It’s always fantastic to see what can be achieved in such a short space of time when the community comes together!
Looking forward, our Growing Youth team will run sessions at the site to give school pupils the chance to learn some joinery, horticulture and landscaping skills by assisting the community in building the garden, and renovating the site’s derelict garages into a tool storage shed and micro-community hub. Similarly, our new pilot project Lend a Hand will allow individuals who are 50+ and out of employment to gain training, skills, and experience in those same areas by assisting in construction. We are looking forward to seeing these projects collaborate with local residents to bring the garden to life!
Once growing gets going, the garden will provide locally grown, seasonal fruit and vegetables to Fidra Kitchen, and become a community venue for local people and organisations to enjoy and socialise in.
If you’d like to get involved, pop along on Wednesdays 9:30am-12:30pm or Sundays from 1-4pm – no experience required! For more information contact our Community Garden Development Officer, Pippa, at pippa@edibleestates.scot or 07549431528.
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