FEDAGA Allotment Show: Grow Local
In 2020 and 2021 the Show went "virtual" which was OK, but not anything like the real deal.
We had hoped that we could return to a full programme like in the old days but the resurgence of Covid in the spring of 2022 forced us to reconsider. We decided to opt for a different kind of event which would allow members to show examples of their produce in the open air where we could plant seeds of enthusiasm in ordinary members of the public who might be interested in growing their own.
We linked up with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society and Edible Edinburgh in Saughton Park. The "Caley" were running their annual Flower Show and plant stall and Edible Edinburgh were on hand to provide information on how to get growing even if you don't have an allotment of your own.
We had hoped that we could return to a full programme like in the old days but the resurgence of Covid in the spring of 2022 forced us to reconsider. We decided to opt for a different kind of event which would allow members to show examples of their produce in the open air where we could plant seeds of enthusiasm in ordinary members of the public who might be interested in growing their own.
We linked up with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society and Edible Edinburgh in Saughton Park. The "Caley" were running their annual Flower Show and plant stall and Edible Edinburgh were on hand to provide information on how to get growing even if you don't have an allotment of your own.
After an unpromising start at 8am on a dank, drizzly morning when it looked as though we had picked the wrong day, the exhibits from sites across the city started rolling in and the clouds rolled out leaving mostly blue skies.
The day was a great success. Our stall was busy throughout the day from before opening time at 11 to closure at 4. Members of the Beechgrove team, Calum Clunie and George Anderson were in attendance, as was the Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge who had his ear bent a few times by people regarding the provision of more allotments, and Cllr. Katrina Faccenda, Chair of Edible Edinburgh.
We had a popular "tomato tasting" stall and there was an opportunity to guess the weight of the onion. (It was a whopping 1.156 kg.) If you're planning to grow tomatoes next year you may be interested to know the favourite varieties were: TomatoBerry, Gardener's Delight, Golden Sunrise, Santonia and Sungold although the selection was far from scientific.
A huge thankyou to the sites who donated baskets of produce for display and the volunteers who set up, tidied up and looked after the show in between.
Here are a few pictures of the day...
The day was a great success. Our stall was busy throughout the day from before opening time at 11 to closure at 4. Members of the Beechgrove team, Calum Clunie and George Anderson were in attendance, as was the Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge who had his ear bent a few times by people regarding the provision of more allotments, and Cllr. Katrina Faccenda, Chair of Edible Edinburgh.
We had a popular "tomato tasting" stall and there was an opportunity to guess the weight of the onion. (It was a whopping 1.156 kg.) If you're planning to grow tomatoes next year you may be interested to know the favourite varieties were: TomatoBerry, Gardener's Delight, Golden Sunrise, Santonia and Sungold although the selection was far from scientific.
A huge thankyou to the sites who donated baskets of produce for display and the volunteers who set up, tidied up and looked after the show in between.
Here are a few pictures of the day...