17 February 2012

LAST year a group of people from Home – an experimental Anglican community in Oxford got together to embark on a Grow Zones project.
 

The scheme saw them join forces to share tools, expertise and fellowship in each others’ gardens, and grow their own food. After Saturday mornings spent gardening, the community then enjoyed a shared lunch. The scheme was such a success that last month they got together to plan their Grow Zones for 2012.

Matt Freer, a member of Home and the Oxford Diocese’s Environmental Officer, spearheaded the scheme. The Revd Matt Rees, who runs Home, said: “Lots of people feel instinctively that they want to make more of their small plot of earth but don’t know how or where to start. Grow Zones is a simple and fun way to do all that.”

Polly Freer said one of the gardening days saw them create a garden that could be better used as it was much tidier. “It had paths created, new beds ready for lots of potatoes and my favourite, a bug hotel that doubles as a washing basket stand!” Jen Simmons said: “As a relatively new person to church, it has been great to get to know people in a relaxed and informal way. Growing food together is great for friendships, the environment and our health.”

Stephen Purbrick said: “Being Autumn it was mostly a matter of cutting stuff back, digging over beds and burning cutings. I particularly enjoyed burning cuttings. I was amazed by what a group of people could achieve in a relatively short space of time. Working on a shared project with other people brings a group of people together. It’s also easty to chat while you work without it feeling forced.”

Ruth Ryder said she had learned how to grow different things as well as getting to know the Home community better. She said: “We dug three vegetable beds, panted potatoes, dug in manure and cut back overgrown plants during the spring visit and cleared the beds of runner beans and courgette plants in the autumn visit. It’s been a great way of getting to know people; it can be easier to chat about things more openly when you are working together on something practical. The kids have also got to know some of the adults better, which I think makes them feel more comfortable with them at church.”

A Grow Zones kit is available to help everyone from seasoned gardeners to beginners to bring people together and start a group. Gardening writer and presenter Alys Fowler said: “At last an easy to use guide on how to get a community group up and running. This is a brilliant resource for anyone who wants to gather some like-minded people together to get gardening. Now all you have to do is get out there and garden!”
 

To start a Grow Zones team in your area see www.growzones.com. If you are embarking on a gardening project with children, the following resources might be useful: www.barnabasinchurches.org.uk/a-be-seed/