Villagers are digging it
Almost 40 families in Lochwinnoch are using spare time during lockdown to grow their own vegetables.
The Digging It Project is a unique initiative established by Lochwinnoch Food Committee to show villagers how to grow their own food from the comfort of their own homes.
They are guided through the process by horticulturist Dick Graham who has created a number of online tutorials and videos to explain how to plant and care for a selection of vegetables.
The videos have been created with the support of Studio 27 productions.
Tori Bell, of the Digging it
Project, said: “We are supporting 38 households to do this, which collectively number over 130 individuals. The aim of the project is to help participants cope with lockdown through structured outdoor activity, with benefits for well-being and the environment, as well as giving access to fresh food.
“Planting and growing vegetables are also great outdoor education tasks for kids and many young families have been enjoying them.”
Tori added: “We are very grateful to Dick, his wife Elma and to Studio 27 for their help and expertise which they have given on a voluntary basis.”
Two videos have so far been created for budding gardeners to follow.
The first video is an overview of how to get ready for planting, how to protect gardens from pests and how to make plant food. The second clip provides everything people need to know about how to make the most of their potato crop.
These videos are the first of a series and more will be shared on Facebook via the Lochwinnoch Seed and Seedling Swap group and Lochwinnoch Community Council website, as well as via Studio 27 Productions’ social media.
It is hoped people who have joined the programme throughout lockdown will continue to follow the group tutorials though winter and prepare for the next growing season in 2021.
The project also aims to secure funding to expand the reach of the initiative to include more people.