Current projects
Ardentinny Walled Garden Cowal
The Ardentinny Walled Garden was started in 2012. First the Community Payback Team created a flat space to plant the orchard. The remaining paths were then prepared by laying weed suppressants, then bringing road scalping’s to make the paths hard standing.
Over the winter and in the spring we dug the vegetable plots collected manure from the stables to feed the plots before planting. The team built three raised beds and a screen for hanging baskets to hide a storage area. Argyll and Bute Council have donated more road scalpings, which the team brought to the garden and spread to make another pathway.
We planted vegetable seeds in the polytunnel, the sale of which helps to provide a small income for the garden and fresh vegetables for the community.
The Community Payback Team continues to be a great asset to the garden. We attend weekly, undertaking anything from gardening, planting, building ornamental fences and raised beds, strimming and cutting grass to helping construct the paths within the garden, the list is endless. We helped flatten the public area to allow a marquee for Community weddings, Community Picnics and Open Studio picnics.
The team learn about the organic growing process and the need for fertiliser. We encourage them to grow fruit and vegetables at home and have provided some with runner bean and carrot seeds and strawberry plants. We provide soup for lunch and when the vegetables in the garden are ready we show them how to harvest them and make the soup for themselves.