A community gardening project run entirely by volunteers is encouraging local people to pick produce from their community garden.
The garden, run by Incredible Edible Warminster, was created as part of a movement that transforms public spaces into food-growing areas, providing free, organic produce for local communities to enjoy and use.
“We grow herbs, and veg, and fruit that anyone in the community is invited to help themselves to,” said Warminster coordinator and professional gardener, Amelia Ellis. “We’ve been going for 8 or 9 years, but some people don’t know we’re here.”
The community garden is located behind a tall verge on Bradley Road, BA12 8BP. It was redesigned three years ago to improve accessibility.
“We’re trying to get the message across that it really is free to pick,” said Amelia.
“Sometimes we’ll go up and, if there’s veg ready, we’ll pick it and put it into a basket, so that people can come and help themselves.”
“One of the barriers we’ve found is that, although the ethos of Incredible Edible is that people are welcome to pick food themselves, people can struggle with that, so sometimes people are a bit hesitant.”
The garden now has signs up to advise people when it is best to pick the different produce, to encourage the community to pick their own vegetables and connect with where food comes from.
The Incredible Edible Warminster team is small and say they are always looking for more volunteers.
“We just about manage, but we always need more help,” said Amelia.
The team meet most Saturday mornings from 10am to 12pm during growing seasons.
“It is helpful to know who’s coming, but there’s no obligation; people just rock up when they can.”
During the winter months, the group meets less often but still comes together sometimes to maintain the garden and prepare it for planting.
To find out more information or become an Incredible Edible volunteer, contact them via their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/warminsterincredibleedible/
Pictured: Incredible Edible volunteers
