The Quality Of Life Veg Bag Scheme is celebrating it's 1st anniversary. Visit us at Watering Lane Nursery PL26 6BE to see the ongoing work and maybe decide that you would wish to have a regular delivery of fresh sustainably grown vegetables. Refreshments will be provided so come and meet the team! WEDNESDAY 23RD JUNE 2010 AND THURSDAY 24TH JUNE 2010 10AM-4PM Tours of the nursery will be at 10.30AM AND 1.30PM
We now have two sizes of Veg Bags available fortnightly.?Large Bag ?13.00 Small Bag ?10.00.?Please contact us for more details.
The Veg Bag Scheme has been running for nearly a year now and we are looking to expand the scheme to 80 veg bags per week. We have been growing many vegetables over the last few months down at the nursery. Okra is one of the new crops we will be growing this season alongside our other crops of potatoes, broad beans, beetroot, sweetcorn, Jerusalem artichokes, peas, runner beans, lettuces, spring onions and different herbs.
At the moment we are investigating supplying local hotels and shops with our freshly grown produce.
Our project recently appeared on Countrywise shown on ITV1 alongside Rachel de Thame.
In March we held an Open Day for the Friends of Eden in order to expand the Veg Bag Scheme and to make people aware of the work we are doing at the nursery.
As well as our vegetables we have been growing lots of plants that will be used in the Chelsea Flower Show. These plants will be displayed in the Places of Change Stand. It is a great privilege to be able to take part in this. We are hoping we will be able to better the silver award that we received last year.
We have had to check that the field is now rabbit proof as our first crop of braod beans have been planted. We have also laid down the plastic membrane to try to keep the weeds down. Our crop of rhubarb is doing well this year and tastes lovely! Rhubarb has been included twice in the Veg Bags.
Block One is looking very green and lush with all the healthy lettuces, spinach, courgettes and other seedlings that are waiting to be potted on. We have noticed that we have a new robins' nest tucked away in some plant pots in Block One. We are happy to report that mum, dad and babies are well.
Maisy, a 5 month old golden labrador, has joined People & Gardens. She has become a great team member and especially likes all the walks and cuddles that she receives whilst at the nursery.
The ?Quality of Life? Veg Bag Scheme has been set up to provide opportunity through participation and employment for the disadvantaged and enabled us to find 3 part time jobs. We also welcome Emma (shown below), who is now employed to professionally manage field production.
We believe that our scheme will help to change the lives of many people who have been denied the opportunity of participation and employment. We will be able to provide that opportunity through the full cycle of growing and selling vegetables at the nursery. The process will include sowing seeds and potting on right through to the harvesting process and packing the vegetables into the Veg Bags.
The scheme supplies excellent quality produce for Eden Staff, members of Adult Social Care and Support and parents on a fortnightly basis. This enables us to fund three part time jobs for people with a learning disability from the proceeds. The Eden Project has been incredibly supportive and helpful in getting this project off the ground. An enormous amount of work has been necessary and we would not have been able to achieve it without them.
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Peter did a great job at the Open Day plant stall.
veg stall
Nigel on hand to meet and greet guests at the Open Day.
Eden tour
James and Sean give the thumbs up for the catering!
santas helpers
Ian, Terry and Steve demonstrate their harvesting skills.
wearing tinsel
Raymond, Chris and Nikki packing Spring Onions.
xmas dinner
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