Journalist seeks London veg patch

[Journalist]

Hello everyone,

I'm a reporter with the Evening Standard in London.
We're doing a story about the growing trend for people to convert their London gardens into veg patches.
To go with the stats we wanted to talk to a few real people who had done this, who would be happy to rave about the benefits of lettuce over roses or whatever - and be photographed!

If you fit the bill could you email me with your phone number asap (or ask me further questions): elizabeth.hopkirk@standard.co.uk

Many thanks
Elizabeth

[mandyballantyne]

Sorry to far North for me, any chance of us seeing the article when it is done?

Thanks, Mandy

[pigletwillie]

They have some circulation in the South East as well so some of you grapes from Northern Kent and Essex might be interested as well.

[mandyballantyne]

Hey PW,

YOu just become a moderator or have missed your recent posts? Congrats all the same, Mandy

[nick the grief]

We could always lie about where we come from piglet do you fancy doing a page 3 for the ladies (In my case better make it the centre spread )

[bubblewrap]

Why keep it to "the Smoke" what about other cities I'm sure London gardeners would be interested in other cities?

[FoxHillGardener]

Why keep it to "the Smoke" what about other cities I'm sure London gardeners would be interested in other cities?

Because as far as the Evening Standard is concerned, London is the whole country.

[newgardengirl]

Because as far as the Evening Standard is concerned, London is the whole country.

In all fairness the Evening Standard is a London newspaper, and therefore tries to print articles of interest to local people!

Also, in all seriousness, I've lived here all my life and it's such a shame when I hear people saying "I live in a big city, how can I possibly grow vegetables when I don't have any space?" And speaking as a Londoner myself, it seems to me that people living in the middle of big cities are amongst the most disconnected from the "source" of where their food comes from, and so maybe the message needs getting across more to this particular demographic of people. Londoners sitting on the tube with a newspaper are more likely to be convinced that it can be done if they read an article about other Londoners in crowded areas. If there was an article about people growing their own vegetables in more spacious places, you could probably expect half of us to think "Well it's okay for Jo Bloggs, he has a big spacious garden but it's impossible for most of us". You'd be amazed at some of the comments I hear.

[JennieAtkinson]

Have you converted your garden NGG? Perhaps you should think of applying? Sounds interesting!

[FoxHillGardener]

... in all seriousness, I've lived here all my life and it's such a shame when I hear people saying "I live in a big city, how can I possibly grow vegetables when I don't have any space?" And speaking as a Londoner myself, it seems to me that people living in the middle of big cities are amongst the most disconnected from the "source" of where their food comes from, and so maybe the message needs getting across more to this particular demographic of people...

I agree with you on all that NGG. Though if the Standard features allotments, the waiting lists will get even longer! Maybe they can campaign for there to be more sites. So says me who's at the end of a 2-year waiting list

I expect it's easier in outer London, but that's where the gardens are bigger so there's less need - if that makes sense! Where the people are most densely packed is, of course, where there is least land available.

[Journalist]

Interesting discussion!

Don't suppose New Garden Girl or Fox Hill Gardener would be interested in talking about growing veg in your back gardens (if you do!) as a way of encouraging others to do the same? It might even shorten the queue for allotments if people with bigger gardens realise they could grow everything at home!

Elizabeth

[newgardengirl]

Don't suppose New Garden Girl or Fox Hill Gardener would be interested in talking about growing veg in your back gardens (if you do!) as a way of encouraging others to do the same? It might even shorten the queue for allotments if people with bigger gardens realise they could grow everything at home!

Heya

I did email you last week - I'm the one who said I'm new to gardening so nothing's grown outside yet, but I'd be happy for it to be photographed in a couple of months' time when there's something to show for it (I won't give my real name on a public discussion board). If you didn't get my email I can always send it again?

[FoxHillGardener]

Interesting discussion!

Don't suppose New Garden Girl or Fox Hill Gardener would be interested in talking about growing veg in your back gardens (if you do!) as a way of encouraging others to do the same? It might even shorten the queue for allotments if people with bigger gardens realise they could grow everything at home!

Elizabeth

I'm meant to be moving house soon, so all I've got going this year are hanging basket tomatoes and a big box of seeds that I'm itching to plant but am resisting

As could have been expected, the move is taking longer than I expected (of course) so I will miss my chance for much this year. I've got photos of last year though - O could talk you through what was there then.

Send me an email or a private message and we can arrange something

[FoxHillGardener]

PS Have you tried the allotments at Spa Hill?

http://www.spahill.org.uk/

They're huge so you you should find something of interest there - they've got a wind turbine and everything!