Thurso growing project offers online advice on food and gardening
A Thurso-based food waste minimisation and community growing project has found new ways to get its message across during the coronavirus lockdown.
Those involved in the initiative were disappointed in March not to be able to embark on their spring schedule of workshops and events on food waste management and composting. Undeterred, they have regrouped and come up with other activities to keep the community busy and productive.
A weekly advice session on a Friday night, Go Get Gardening, has offered ideas on what can be done in the garden during the week ahead in terms of growing fruit and vegetables.
Jill Lawrie, the project’s gardener, has held a four-part online workshop on growing from seeds. Videos for these are available to view on YouTube.
Sharon Dismore, the project co-ordinator for Thurso Grows, said: "If you are interested in growing fruit and veg and would like help getting started, we have a veg box starter pack with a small one-metre veg box, compost and some plants that are ready for planting. These are free but there is a limited stock currently."
Anyone interested in this, or some of the other plants and seedlings that are on offer, should email ThursoGrows@ThursoCDT.co.uk
They will also be invited to join the WhatsApp group Thurso Grows From Home, providing access to expert advice on keeping veg growing and when to harvest.
"We are all trying to limit our trips to the shops and make our food go further in these tough times," Sharon said. "Thurso Grows is here to help with this too.
"Once a week we run a cooking workshop – all details are on our Facebook page – and we have made up a resource pack with ideas on how to make your food go further and ways to use up food, as well as links to online resources that can give you further information on reducing waste."
She added: “It has been lovely seeing the range of people who have got involved in growing, from kids to elderly. I can’t wait to see what they harvest.
"It has helped make me feel connected to people at a time when I am apart from people.”
Thurso Grows is a project run by Thurso Community Development Trust and funded by the Scottish Government's Climate Challenge Fund. It is setting up fun online growing competitions, tyre worm bin decorating competitions and more online workshops.