Seeds and plant pots needed for community project

docij

I hope some of you greenfingered friends can help.

My husband and I are organising a 'Picnic in the Park' for our local community in Stoke on Trent on 25th April. This area is very deprived and has the lowest life expectancy in our city. We're doing this in partnership with a health promotion and a community sports group. We want to encourage people to live healthier lives and particularly to grow their own vegetables.

If anyone has any veg seeds they don't need, it would be great to have them to give out free. We also need plant pots (new or used) so that we can give people a 'starter pack'. We've bought quite a lot of seeds from Nettos at 19p a packet which we're giving away but, if this fab weather holds out, we're hoping to have loads of people attend. Any help would be greatly appreciated. We've tried to persuade local companies to give us some things but many of them have corporate charities and so can't help.

Thank you for reading.

Sagz_2

What a great idea!
Have you tried asking on your local Freecycle group? I expect lots of gardeners have old pots or spare seeds laying about.

docij

Thank you for being so encouraging. Yes, I'm registered with both freecycle and freegle in this area so I'm keeping in touch with people.

lynzpower

Would be good to know where you are? I have loads of plantpots here in London you are welcome to come and colect but If you are not here its not worth posting them

ALIBOBSY

Get all your members to collect any plastic pots they have. Ultimate recycling really. Those muller pots are a great size, toilet roll inards make good compostable pots, butter/spread pots are a good size and depth-can be for potting on or as seed trays.
Just wash out well, bang a few holes in the bottom and away you go.
Some DIY stores and/or garden centres have old smaller pots to give away-you may have to get them out of a skip yourself, but ask permission first.

The BBC's dig in campaign are giving some free seeds as well, so may be worth mentioning to people on the day (perhaps give the bbc a call maybe they could do some kind of joint show with you or at least provide some seeds to give away), at the very least you can advice people how to register for the free seeds?

ali x

docij

Lynzpower - Thanks for the support. We're in Stoke on Trent I'm afraid.

Ali - Really appreciate the advice. We've done most of the things you've suggested. Great idea about the Dig In campaign. We'll give out a leaflet with details on it.

ALIBOBSY

docij wrote: »

Lynzpower - Thanks for the support. We're in Stoke on Trent I'm afraid.

Ali - Really appreciate the advice. We've done most of the things you've suggested. Great idea about the Dig In campaign. We'll give out a leaflet with details on it.

No probs its a great idea, unfortunately I am also the wrong end of the country to offer anything either (up noorth here).

Good luck anyway hope it goes well, you would be amazed the number of kids who come to play with my 3 (soon to be 4) who have never seen veggies growing. My son and some mates appeared last summer withcarrots fresh from the beds (washed with the hosepipe themselves lol) munching away happy as anything and the peas and herbs got munched on like sweets. Kids will eat loads more veggies once they have seen them growing.

The kids also love foraging and is another aspect to touch on- but perhaps next year lol as its alot to take on at once.

ali x

Gina_of_course!

If you pm me the address to send some too I have some half packs you can have. I also have some packets that are out of date if you want those too.

Good luck with your project

docij

Thank you Gina of course! I've pmd you.

heynonnynonny

Whereabouts will this be held? I live in Stoke on Trent.

Rosamundi

Great idea

Have you tried phoning your local DIY centres and just asking?

I know that B&Q support local community actions and I've even managed to get a large free Christmas tree from Homebase for a meeting that was being held at work - they can only say no so nothing ventured nothing gained.