Growing Archive

Falkland Garden

During 2009/10 Fife Diet developed a community garden in Falkland – this project is no longer running below is a report that Jenny Methven made during that project.
Back at the beginning of May a variety of vegetable seeds were ordered for the newly dug garden. The idea was to try out different types of vegetable and to see which would work and also to see if it was possible to find plants that could provide something a little different: plants that might extend the growing /eating season; plants that might have a dual value; plants that might increase the choices available in local vegetables – especially for vegetarians and some perennial plants that would not require yearly sowing but would provide food.

There were already some strawberries, cabbage and potatoes growing away happily. The plants have been kept in groups – brassicas, legumes etc so that they can be rotated on a yearly basis.

The weather has been challenging and some plants have thrived where others have hoped for long sunny days and been disappointed. However we are now at the point of harvesting a range of luscious and very colourful food!

There are Tiger Marrows which are huge (about a foot long), Lady Godiva squash (high in vitamin content) I think they will be great toasted and added to risottos etc, two types of courgette provide a variety of round ones for stuffing – Rondo ni Niso -and the longer ones – Partenon for all sorts of dishes such as for frying and layering with cheese and tomato and onion. Partenon can cope with cooler weather.

Adam is a beautiful type of cucumber which can be grown outside.
There are two types of turnip being grown – and two beetroot varieties, Rainbow chard, spinach and two types of kale are growing – the Italian Nero which has long blue green leaves can be picked through to spring and is very hardy. The other, Westland also has a long harvesting season. The brussel sprout varieties – Darkmar and Nautic have been chosen to provide vegetables over as long a period as possible. They will begin to be ready for harvesting Oct/Nov.

Perennial vegetables are traditionally such plants as rhubarb, asparagus etc. but there are now some varieties that do not have to be planted and replanted the following year. One of these is the Nine Star Broccoli which produces cauliflower like heads in spring.

The corn on the cob is growing in squares to ensure good pollination. These are only some of the plants growing and its exciting to think about other different and interesting edible plants we could try.

Jenny Methven, Falkland Community Garden, Summer 2010

Trial Crops

During 2009/2010 we also conducted a series of crop trials.  This is a report from Adam Day on the project.

Each year we are also experimenting with planting on a bigger scale. This year and next we will be planting Quinoa (prounced ‘keen-wah’) and seeing if we can cultivate it here in Fife.

Quinoa originated in the Andean region of South America, where it has been an important food for 6,000 years. It has a remarkable protein value and we think its worth exploring. In cooking you can use it like couscous and it’s also great in bread!

The trials proved that Quinoa grows well in Scotland and we have seed to give away  if anyone wants to give it a go!

contact elly@fifediet.co.uk