You don't have to be of a certain age to reap the benefits of gardening – you're outside and can eat what you grow. Everyone is welcome at our Edible garden on Avery Hill campus.
Research suggests gardening can act as a stress reliever. You get to be outside in the fresh air and sunlight so can also help reduce the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder, and can be anything from a light to a full body workout.
Getting absorbed in activities such as weeding, watering, planting or digging will help to take your mind off things. The act of growing, nurturing and harvesting plants provides opportunities to care for the literal 'fruits of your labour', and there's little better than eating what you have grown.
Connecting with others
Gardening opens up opportunities to meet people, particularly in community gardens and allotments. Connecting with and learning about gardening and growing plants from others is invaluable in helping to build knowledge and strengthen resilience.
You're welcome at the university's Edible garden at Avery Hill campus
You'll find the Edible garden behind the David Fussey Building, and students, staff and members of the local community volunteer together to run our Avery Hill Community Edible Garden. It's a volunteer-led project that's open to anyone who wants to do as little or as much as they would like.
Wednesdays between 12-2pm is our main volunteering day and you can meet other volunteers, have a tour of the garden and with us, undertake simple tasks. You don't need any experience of gardening as you can learn from the volunteers and help us make the space a special, productive place. . If you enjoy this and want to do more, you are welcome to garden at any time of the day or year to suit your needs.
You don't have to garden to enjoy our garden!
Everyone is invited to to sit, wander and contemplate, to connect with nature or simply to taste some of the many things that are grown. The spaces are gardened according to organic principles, and the forest gardens are bursting with of all kinds of wildlife, including a pond that's full of life. The Edible garden is also available for use as a teaching space, which can provide a welcome change to a classroom.
Visit our webpage for further information, and if you would like to be added to the Volunteer Gardeners email list, let us know at: edible-garden@gre.ac.uk