< Back to '9th March '22' briefing
March 8, 2022
Harvest for the 21st century
With the appearance of snowdrops, crocuses and even the odd daffodil suggesting that spring is just around the corner, gardeners and growers across the land are beginning to think about the season that lies ahead. But in ten very different communities around Scotland, unexpected and unusual gardens are going to appear as part of Unboxed – a UK wide celebration of creativity. A food growing initiative which aims to reimagine the harvest for the 21st century. Dandelion invites us to rediscover connections to the food we eat and to share what we plant, grow and cook with those around us.
Unexpected Gardens will spring up across Scotland in unusual places in 2022.
From the Borders to the Highlands, along Scotland’s canals to urban, rural and island locations, whether indoors or open-air, on unused or forgotten land; these gardens will show that even the unlikeliest space can bloom. Both surprising spaces to visit and productive growing hubs, each garden will host seasonal events, installations, and grow herbs and vegetables for the whole community to share at a local Harvest in September 2022. A Musician-in-Residence will also connect with each garden to create brand new work.
Argyll – Cove Park will use tidal sites in Loch Long and Gare Loch to investigate links between coastal communities and agriculture.
Caithness – Lyth Arts Centre’s touring garden will roll off a trailer to become a performance and workshop space.
Falkirk and touring around the Union and Forth & Clyde Canals – our Floating Garden will tour Scotland’s canal networks from June. It will then dock at the Helix, Falkirk until September.
Forres – Findhorn Bay Arts’ garden will promote the growing of mushrooms in the alleyways of the town centre.
Edinburgh – Edinburgh Agroecology Co-op at Lauriston Farm, in partnership with North Edinburgh Arts, will experiment with farming practices that engage the local community.
Greenock – RIG Arts will take over the scrub site behind the South West Library creating a valuable shared space for meeting, reading and growing.
Leven – The Leven Programme will convert the car park of Leven Community Centre into a sustainable market garden.
Stranraer – The Stove, Dumfries, and Stranraer Development Trust will develop a vibrant garden that overlooks the former ferry terminal.
North Uist – Taigh Chearsabhagh’s garden in North Uist will respond to the unique ecosystem of the island.
Gardens will also appear in Alness (Feis Rois); in partnership with existing community gardens in Hawick (Alchemy) and in a soon-to-be-announced site in Dundee in partnership with University of Dundee, Creative Dundee and Dundee City Council.