BHS Members Invited to Get Growing at The Veggery

A new community gardening project has taken root on St Giles' Terrace, offering local residents the chance to try their hand at greenhouse gardening throughout the summer.

The Veggery, a temporary community growing space, has been installed for a three-month stay from July until the end of September, giving everyone the opportunity to grow vegetables, herbs and flowers in the heart of the community.

The project got off to a strong start on 3 July when a team of community volunteers, including several BHS members, gathered for the first planting session. While the two outdoor planters are already full, there is still plenty of room on the greenhouse shelves for more gardeners to get involved.

Inside, the greenhouse offers two lower shelves, around 30cm high, and a higher top shelf that provides extra growing space for taller plants or trailing varieties. Built-in seating can also be used as a step to help reach the upper shelves.

The Veggery is open every day during St Giles' Church opening hours and is locked overnight. Water butts and watering cans are available on site, but anyone wishing to take part should bring their own pots, compost, and plants or seeds. Also if you do go along, please consider watering whenever you can, as the success of this project is dependent on volunteers.

Here are some suggestions for what you might try growing:

• Tomatoes

• Aubergines

• Cucumbers

• Peppers and chillies

• Tomatilloes

• Basil and other tender herbs

• Okra

• Melons

• Sweet potatoes

• French beans

• Summer salads

• Radishes

BHS members—and anyone with an interest in gardening—are warmly encouraged to make the most of this unique community resource before it is removed at the end of September. Whether you're an experienced grower or trying gardening for the first time, there's still plenty of space to cultivate something this summer.