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Broad beans are just ready to harvest. (While they're young and tender, you can eat them in their pods. If you like the beans alone, or for freezing or drying, wait a little longer.) There are some lettuces and there is coriander. And there is still some chard. (It virtually never stops!) |
August
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Welcome to GO2
As a practical action project of Sustainable Living Initiative, the Grow-Our-Own (GO2) scheme started in the autumn of of 2004. The main aim of the GO2 scheme is to help those who are interested but have little or no experience in growing fruit and vegetables. GO2 offers practical help and advice on what to grow, when to grow it and how to get seeds, compost, and so on. The support is provided for at least a year, after which the growers are encouraged to share a plot with someone else thereby helping another newcomer to grow fruit and vegetables. In this way, the GO2 scheme aims to nurture a 'grow-our-own' culture in Norwich.
The success of GO2 in its initial years has lead to the expansion of the scheme. We now have a range of schemes including Pick-Your-Own, Growing-At-Home and Volunteering (please see below for details). The newly built Information Centre along with a composting toilet will encourage growers to stay longer and share their ideas and experiences. We provide cycle stands for the use of our members and visitors. We have very limited car parking spaces available at the allotment, which are reserved for disabled people and for parents with young children. We have ensured that the new facilities are wheelchair accessible and are also working to make some plots suitable for young people and wheelchair users.
The GO2 scheme is located at the Bluebell South Allotments in Norwich. (Click link for map.)
Grow-Our-Own Classic scheme
Range of Plots Available
Mini Plot - 1.20 X 6 metres X 1:
For the absolute beginners who have no prior experience of growing fruit and vegetables. This size plot is also suitable for a single person.
Cost £10 per year †
Maxi Plot - 1.20 X 6 metres X 2:
For those with some experience of growing fruit and vegetables, and for families with children.
Cost £20 per year †
Large Plot - 1.20 X 6 metres X 5:
For those who are experienced in growing fruit and vegetables and for families with children.
Cost £40 per year †
† October - September
Under this scheme, a 10 rod (250 square meter plot) is divided into mini plots (see below for details) of varying size, depending on the need and experience of individual growers. A plot comes with all the necessary training, tools, seeds, manure and hands-on practical advice. It is the responsibility of the plot holder to keep the plot in a reasonable condition at all times.
Apart from growing the fruit and vegetables of your choice and maintaining the plot, GO2 calls for self-help and collective action. To this end, it is important that the 'old' growers help 'new' growers and give some time for communal activites, such as maintaining the facilites. We are trying our best to use organic practices whererever possible and the use of insecticide, pesticide and chemical fertiliser is not permitted.
Community Suport Scheme
If you are unable to come to the allotment but have some space in your back garden, we are happy to help you start growing fruit and vegetables in your own garden. We could provide all the help you need through our Centre based in Bluebell South Allotment site. At present, this scheme only covers the area around the Bluebell South Allotment site.
We can offer you training on how to grow fruit and vegetables organically. You will also have the opportunity to come and meet the other growers on allotments and learn from their experiences. We can supply all the seeds and seedlings from our Community Nursery at no extra cost. The cost of joining the scheme at present is £5 per year.
Pick-Your-Own Scheme
Pick-Your-Own Options
Sponsorship
Under this scheme, you agree to buy fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs from us on a regular basis. We can agree on a set price, depending on the quantity of produce you need weekly; you will have first priority for obtaining seasonal produce.
Pay-As-You-Go
Just turn up and pick whatever is available. We post information about the availability of produce on our website on a regular basis.
For those who have little spare time or are physically unable to work on an allotment, we offer the opportunity to come and pick organically grown produce from our allotment once a week. Additionally, organisers of parties and special events can come and get fresh salad and herbs, simply by contacting use in advance and then collecting the order.
The pick-your-own scheme can help people to see how the fruit, vegetables and herbs they eat are grown and get a regular supply of locally grown produce straight from the land. It will also help us to raise funds by turning surplus produce into cash to be reinvested back into the project.
Volunteering
If you are interested in gardening and growing but are unable to commit your time on a regular basis, why not come and help us whenever you have spare time. Help is needed for a number of activities, such as plot clearing, sowing, potting, weeding and harvesting on a regular basis.
You do not need to have any gardening skills or experience to take part in this scheme. In fact, this is an opportunity for you to learn about growing fruit and vegetables. We also offer you free fresh produce in return for your help.
Interested?
If you are interested in any of these schemes, please contact us using one of the forms below.
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