Lots on offer at open garden

People are being invited to take a closer look at Harborough's very own community garden during an open day on Sunday, June 5.
An open day is being held at the Harborough Community GardenAn open day is being held at the Harborough Community Garden
An open day is being held at the Harborough Community Garden

The garden, at Waterloo Cottage Farm, will be open from 10am to 3pm as part of the nationwide Open Farm Sunday event taking place that day.

Visitors will be able to find out more about the scheme and how organic fruit and vegetables are grown there in a sustainable way.

They will also be able to tour the garden as well as taking part in activities such as building a bug hotel, planting seeds and learning about composting.

The community garden was set up in autumn 2014 by Sustainable Harborough and Waterloo Cottage Farm with the aim of creating a garden where local people could come and grow fruit and vegetables.

The garden is entirely run by volunteers who have cleared the land with help from Angus and Kirsty of Waterloo Cottage Farm, building raised beds, creating composting bays and planting an array of fruit and vegetables, from raspberries and rhubarb to peas and potatoes to chillies and chives.

Alex Hopkinson, project and support officer at Sustainable Harborough, said: “We hope that once people see how much fun it can be getting involved in the community garden, more volunteers will come forward and join us.

“We also hold action days once or twice a month when people can come along and find out more. After this short induction, volunteers are welcome to visit the garden when they wish (with prior agreement from Kirsty and Angus).

“It really is a great way to meet people, get out in the fresh air – and grow delicious fruit and vegetables.”

As well as seeing the garden on Open Farm Sunday, visitors to the farm can take part in sausage making displays held at intervals throughout the day. There will also be tours around the farm to see pasture fed sheep, lambs and Highland cattle as well as the farm’s free range sow and piglets.

Numbers are limited for the farm tours and sausage making displays and places must be booked in advance to ensure availability. To book, phone 01858 467158 or email [email protected].

Related topics: