Gardeners rise to the challenge
Harvest bonanza ... and it’s all free
Bountiful crops are providing a harvest bonanza as a community garden weathers coronavirus.
As the season’s produce of fruit and veg reaches a peak, people are flocking to Broadloan Gardens, in Renfrew.
There’s a tasty choice of more than 30 things to eat - and it’s all free or by donation.
The Renfrew Association of Growers and Gardeners (RAGG) sets up tables groaning with produce from Mondays to Wednesdays.
And, if there is anything left on a Thursday, they despatch it to the local foodbank.
Secretary Neil Paterson revealed: “To be able to provide fresh fruit and vegetables for the community during this time has been wonderful.
“I think it’s really helping people . . . and that’s what our gardens are here for.”
Gardeners who have been unable to tend their plots due to covid turned their soil over to the association.
Neil added: “We adopted their plots for the pandemic, rather than leaving them bare.
“B&Q donated seed potatoes and onions and there has been no stopping us.
“Even staff at Tesco along the road are telling folk to pop in here.
“Our stall always has plenty of food.”
These 215 square foot plots are now coming to harvest, producing tons of food after a great growing season.
The plum crop this year - about half a dozen varieties - was described as “amazing”.
People are snapping up different potato varieties, including Satanta, Winston and Liberty, crisp onions, quince and even hot chillies usually grown in Zimbabwe.
On display this week are rhubarb, rasps and other berries and barrowloads of apples.
Last year, one of the members managed to grow a pineapple.
As well as the 50 growing plots, there’s a communal area, raised beds and even a secret pond on 11-acre Broadloan.
Plot holders come from diverse backgrounds, including Pakistani, Indian, Irish, Romanian and even Buddies from across the road.
As a nod to the international flavour, a road sign reveals Broadloan is 1,604 miles to Moscow, 5,954 to Hong Kong, 688 to Paris and 568 to Land’s
End.
The oasis was created on council grassland that was once semi-industrial with garages and, before that, a rifle range.
Fresh organic soil was brought it, and this is continuing to pay dividends with the abundant crops.
Margo Devaney, Broadloan’s development officer, said: “People are losing their jobs and people are in food poverty.
“We are growing for the community and that fits our ethos.
“We are asking folk to pay what they can. But, if folk want some potatoes and they can’t pay anything, we still want them to take the potatoes.”
Doreen Morris had popped over from Arkleston to pick up some kale and onions for herself, her granddaughter and “the wee lady across the road”, who is housebound.
Doreen said: “The vegetables are really, really good. It is nowhere near like the shops.”
Grandparents Mike and Kathryn Young, from Erskine, had brought nine-month-old Jackson.
Kathryn said: “Why wouldn’t you want to support something lovely like this?”
“The onions are incredible, noticeably different from a supermarket.
“We have got some rhubarb today, so many some rhubarb crumble tonight.”
Jackie Watson, from Renfrew, has had her plot for four years.
She said: “It is hard work, but very enjoyable, especially in this time of covid.
“I love trying to grow different things. Some are disasters and some work out.”
Fellow plot holder Laurie Kilpatrick loves making jams and chutneys with her crops.
Her son Brodie - a good gardener and cook - also has a plot.
Laurie said: “I am only in my second year and I have tons of veg on my plot. I just absolutely love it.”
The garden was opened with lottery cash in 2014 and RAGG became a charity two years later.
It now employs gardener Jerry Queenan, who has been instrumental in soil improvement.
They gather rainwater in butts and compost all waste plant material to boost their eco-friendliness.
Groups, including Glendee Pre-Fives, have plots, as well as Turning Point, Enable Scotland and Arkleston Primary.