A new event in Swindon will help shine a green light for healthy soil and nutritional veg.
Plans have been announced for a springtime event to educate and inspire Swindon’s gardeners - the first Swindon Growers Summit will take place at Swindon Hub on Sunday, April 30.
National experts will be on hand to talk about compost, organic gardening and garden design. The event, which runs from 10am to 4pm, will also feature stalls, tool sharpening, a seed swap and live music.
Event organiser Josie Slade is aiming to create a fun day where people can learn from experts and share ideas with each other.
She said: “It’s amazing how many garden and allotment enthusiasts there are in Swindon.
“The Growers Summit will be a chance for everyone to get together, get inspired, and get plenty of tips for healthier plants and more nutritious food.”
The main speakers have been chosen with a focus on healthy, organic soil and plants.
“Soil health is the key to it all,” said Slade. “Most importantly, we can learn how to repair and nurture the soil - that’s the key to good, healthy food.”
Eddie Bailey has given talks around the country and is a national expert on compost. He will be demonstrating different ways to make compost, as well as talking about how to make your own natural fertiliser and ‘compost teas’.
For those wanting to get started with organic gardening - the challenges and pitfalls - author and former head of education at Garden Organic UK, Maggi Brown, will talk about all she has learned in a lifetime of organic.
The event’s third keynote speaker is Malmesbury-based, organic horticulturist Nicola Hope. Nicola aims to create ‘wildlife-friendly and ecologically resilient gardens’ and will talk about how to plan your garden or allotment, what grows well together, and the all-important timings for sowing and harvesting.
A big part of the event’s inspiration comes from the poor quality of fruit and veg offered in the supermarkets.
“Unfortunately most of the produce from supermarkets is now severely lacking in any goodness due to large-scale farming processes, so the key is to grow your own, buy from local organic farms or join a local community garden project,” said Slade.
“We hope the event will be a catalyst for fresh, healthy food ideas and projects across Swindon.”
Tickets for the event, taking place in Swindon’s town-centre Community Hub, cost £8 (£4 for concessions) and are available via the Eventbrite page.
All profits will be shared between the Soil Associate, Twigs Community Gardens and Swindon Hub.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here