Last night I watched the River Cottage television Cookery programme, For those of you who do not know this programme it is about A chef called Hugh Fernely WHittingstall ( heck i don't know how it is spelt someone correct me) He uses a lot of wild ingredients, last night he used hawthorn berries to make a sauce for duck pancakes, anyway im getting side tracked, He had a section in his show about a couple of ladies in a town in Yorkshire UK who started off by planting vegetables in public places without permission including planters by bus stops and in town centers and planted fruit plants on public land, People helped themselves to the fruit and vegetables and started to grow there own produce also and they had a harvest festival for the town where everyone brought there produce. The local council after discussions agreed to the people doing this and also agreed to the planting of something around 160 fruit trees being planted on public land. Can we get our local councils or the equivalent to do the same and get us all experiencing the pleasures of fresh produce I am wondering how to start this in a very built up tourist town. There has to be a way.
Sounds like a good idea. How about contacting the council in that town and ask them how they are handling the whole thing. They are bound to have a committee of some sort that oversees the planting and general care of the plants. Get that information gathered and prepare a plan for how it would be implemented in your town. Is there a garden club or horticultural society or some such group in your town? You could talk to them and get them interested in the idea. Clubs like that will usually have more influence with town councils than individuals do. And there is a good chance that either one of the club members or a club members spouse is either on your town council or knows someone who is and could help you or whoever make the right contacts.
I saw that also playtime - I love Hugh Fearlessly Eats-it-all. He does make me chuckle. Anyhow, I agree about using these planters in towns and cities. The childrens school is a prime example as all around the front of the building are wide borders and they have a few tatty shrubs in and that is it! So much potential and the kids could do it and learn and have fun. I like the idea of fruit trees around - we are lucky where we live, we are on the common and there are lots of lovely apple, pear and plum trees in teh hedgerows, along with a mass of other berries, just lacking in the nut department.....I shall canvass Chelmsford County Council!
Our Gardening Society tried a similar thing a few years back, but it was no success. Maybe now is the time to try it again. I like the idea a lot! Our secondary school has flower borders and shrubs, even a small herbal garden that the kids take care of, but they could make more of it and include veggies too. I shall have to hint very heavily come spring.
Well, the Brits have done it again--another great idea from their gardners. They are a good example for us all. Well done, UK.
