Growing your own fruit and vegetables can be a great way of keeping your body and your mind healthy. It can also help you achieve the recommended five-a-day portions of fruit and vegetables and can reduce your food bills.
Portsmouth has a number of growing initiatives which can provide you with advice and experience in growing your own fruit and vegetables. A wide range of volunteering opportunities are also available.
Information on Growing
There are many organisations producing helpful factsheets on growing your own fruit and vegetables. The BBC site mentioned below includes a comprehensive section on growing fruit and vegetables and organic gardening. Go to: www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques
The RHS website offers advice on a wide range of growing fruit and veg in an easy A to Z listing.
The Kids Garden website provides lots of suggestions on ways to make growing/gardening interesting and fun for children.Go to: www.thekidsgarden.co.uk
Grow your own grub is a website designed as a step by step guide for teachers who want to run a growing project in school. Go to: www.growinggrub.co.uk
For information on local growing activities - go to the what services are available drop down section below.
Community Allotment at Milton Piece Location: Milton Piece Allotments, Locksway Road, Milton. PO4 8LF
The community allotment has of four plots (with disabled access), two polytunnels and a training pod. It has run a community project for over nine years. Residents of Portsmouth can access the community allotment by self referral. There is currently a waiting list for individual referrals. Health and social care departments can also make referrals. Community/school groups can access the allotment for visits and learning workshops too.
For more information contact Tony Keen in the Health Improvement and Development service at Portsmouth City Council on 023 9284 1560.
Community Orchard Location: The Stacey Community Centre, Walsall Road, Portsmouth. PO3 6DN
The community orchard offers volunteering opportunities. Wednesday is volunteer morning when one a community gardener attends to give help and advice. There are opportunities to help out on other days too.
Contact Tracey Jones on 07939 237329 or the Stacey Centre on 023 9261 7890.
The Vanguard Centre Garden Location: Sundridge Close, Portsmouth. PO6 3LP
The garden helps people who attend the centre to learn about growing. Volunteers are needed to help with the garden and work with vulnerable people who attend the gardening group.
If you are interested in volunteering contact the Vanguard Centre on 023 9238 0455.
Community Allotment at Horsea Lane Location: Horsea Lane, Portsmouth PO2 9LS
This project is run by First Wessex group. It is mainly for people who live in First Wessex housing. Volunteers are needed to help with the upkeep of the allotment and help to run groups.
If you are interested in volunteering contact Goizeder Catano on 0800 8402813 / 023 9289 6750 or email: info@firstwessex.org
Frank Sorrel Centre Garden Location: Prince Albert Road, Southsea. PO4 9HR
The garden is used by visitors to the centre and user groups. Volunteers are needed to help with the garden.
If you are interested in volunteering contact Lynne Rigby at Frank Sorrel Centre on 023 9282 4853.
Beneficial Example Garden Location: The Beneficial Centre, 16 Anson Road, Fratton. PO4 8TB
This site was developed to give residents of Portsmouth an idea of how to grow fruit and vegetables in pots and in a limited space. Volunteers are needed to help with the garden.
If you are interested in volunteering please contact Jennie Brent on 023 9273 3822.
Landport Grow Zone Location: Arundel Street Park, Arundel Street, Landport. PO1 1HT
There are 22 raised bed plots in the grow zone for residents of Landport. There is currently a waiting list, if you like to put your name on the list contact Rosemary Perrett on 023 9281 8819.
Landport Community Garden - Location: Fyning Street, Landport. PO1 1JS
A well established community garden with greenhouse facilities. The garden has strong links with local schools, it grows fruit, flowers and vegetables and welcomes new volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering contact Rosemary Perrett on 023 9281 8819.
Headway Garden - Location: West Lodge, St James' Hospital, Locksway Road, Milton. PO4 8LD
The Headway Garden offers gardening courses for people who have suffered a head injury. They also welcome local resident’s involvement. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Heather Jury on 023 9282 9032.
Own your own allotment
Portsmouth City Council has over 1400 plots at 11 sites throughout the city. There are currently waiting lists at all of them. The sites are inspected regularly to ensure plots are kept cultivated and tidy. The Central Library reception (023 9281 9311) deal with lettings and City Helpdesk (023 9283 4092) deal with public enquiries.
The Grow to Eat Well Project
You can also join a food growing club at one of a number of schools across Portsmouth (postcodes PO1 - PO6). The clubs have been set up as part of a project called Grow to Eat Well, run by Portsmouth Friends of the Earth Association. Sessions run after school or at weekends, typically for one or two hours. Club members include children, teachers and members of the community - you don't need to be a parent or have a link to the school to be a club member. If mobility is an issue for you, several of the schools use raised growing beds so you don't need to worry about bending down low etc.
To find our more please call 02392 006417 and ask for Rosie or Ashley or go to www.gtew.org.uk.
There is a named person and contact number shown for each garden. Just call up the garden of your choice and discuss this with them. They will be delighted to hear from you.
If you are interested in joining the community allotment this can be done by self referral and there is currently a waiting list. Health and social care departments can also make referrals, speak to your GP or health practitoner.
natsoc@nsalg.org.uk - National Association of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners.
www.thrive.org.uk - Thrive is a national charity whose mission is to research, educate and promote the use and advantages of gardening for people with a disability.
www.farmgarden.org.uk - Community led and managed projects; empowering sustainable projects involving people, animals and plants. Links to community farms and gardens websites.
www.green-space.org.uk - Urban green spaces partnership.
www.community-spaces.org.uk - Community spaces programme. Good for grants.
www.localfoodgrants.org - Another good place for grants.
