Low Carbon Headington, 2 June 2008:
"Growing Things" Group notes
1. Plant and Produce Stall
We began by discussing the possibility of having a regular plant and produce stall in Headington, because everyone (but in particular people who do not have cars) still miss West’s Garden Centre very much. Several people thought it would be a good idea to associate it with the Farmers’ Market.
Stephanie Jenkins said that initially she would be very willing to try a plant stall on a Saturday morning at the front of her house in Kennett Road (informing people by email while it remained small).
This could reduce people’s visits to garden centres, and the vegetables would not have to travel far; but we appreciated that this by itself would not have a very large impact on Headington’s carbon footprint.
2. Encouraging people to grow more/Allotments
We felt that people needed more help and encouragement to grow vegetables, fruit and flowers, and that it would be good if they could get advice locally and be encouraged to take on allotments. We understood that there were some allotments still available in Headington, and wondered about the possibility of dividing allotments up into very small plots to get people started.
- Information on Oxford allotments at http://www.oxford.gov.uk/allotments
- Town Furze allotments: http://www.fairview-allotments.org.uk/
Good news - Barton Fields allotments: http://www.iliveinbarton.co.uk/BartonFields.html
People without cars find it difficult to get to allotments with their tools, and the idea of pairing up would-be gardeners with elderly neighbours who were no longer able to manage large gardens was also mooted Student gardens were a more-daunting possibility.
It was also suggested that people could be encouraged to start at a very low, pre-allotment level, e.g. growing a single type of vegetable in pots or window boxes. This could also be done by way of a regular stall in a high-visibility place such as the London Road crossroads.
3. Headington Garden Club?
We remarked on the fact that there were many enthusiastic gardeners in Headington, but no gardening club. We will see if there is any advice available from the RHS about starting one. Such a club could support a plant and produce stall, give advice, and encourage people to use water butts and start composting.
4. Encouraging children
The possibility of encouraging children (perhaps giving away sunflower seeds/seedlings at the Headington Festival for a “Grow the biggest sunflower competition”) was put forward.
5. Trees
With so many front gardens now taken over by parking, we felt we should push for more street trees in Headington. Lime Walk was put forward as an obvious candidate.
Three more ideas were added in an email from someone who came late to the meeting:
- Community coppice: the idea is to grow hazel or chestnut which can replace pea and bean poles. A coppice might be established on marginal or polluted land.
- Forge links with established seed swap events: one is held about twice a year in Cowley Road community centre
- Forge links to the Slow Food network, which celebrates diversity in regional food:
http://www.slowfood.org.uk
http://www.slowfood-oxon.org.uk
If anyone in one of the other sub-groups would like to know what this group is doing, or join in helping, could they please send their email address to Stephanie Jenkins