Gardens in Bristol could be shared to grow more veg

People in Bristol with no garden will soon be able to grow their own plants and vegetables in the gardens of people who don't like getting their hands dirty.

GardenShare Bristol has been set up by Alice Lydall, of Staple Hill, and Abbi Gutierrez, of Ashton Court, with the aim of matching people who would like to grow plants and vegetables but don't have the space, with those who lack the time, ability or motivation to use their gardens.

They think the scheme will particularly attract people living in flats, town houses and rented accommodation, who have no access to a garden, but who would love to grow their own.

The benefits for the garden owners include a share of the produce, the pleasure of seeing a developing vegetable plot, and the sense of community in being part of a sharing initiative.

The volunteer organisation, which has had great success in other towns and cities, including Brighton, Bath, and Totnes, was set up just a week ago.

Miss Lydall, 25, a teacher, told the Bristol Evening Post: "When I was growing up I always liked being out in the garden, so when I was living in a flat in Horfield, I really missed having outdoor space.

"That's when I knew I had to have a house with a garden. This scheme is about getting together people who haven't got a garden or an allotment space, with those who do, but for whatever reason, don't maintain it themselves.

"This is something I would have been interested in when I was living in a flat."

Miss Lydall now lives in a house with her boyfriend Pierre Jomain, 28, and the couple have a large garden where they have a vine, grow runner beans, courgettes, and tomatoes.

She said: "Perhaps there are elderly people or people with young kids who don't have the time or ability to look after their garden, but who like to see things grow.

"They would get a percentage of whatever is grown in their own garden, and, at the same time, have their outside space looked after."

To get the project off the ground, GardenShare is looking for volunteers who are interested in gardening and food production, to help set up and run it.

Miss Lydall added: "There is a waiting list for allotment space in the city. GardenShare may be an option for people wanting to get started on growing their own food without the waiting list.

"We plan to match up people who we think would get on, and people living in a similar location."

Autumn is perfect for people to begin preparing land for the winter and growing in the spring.