Grant helps grow green-fingered community

More people in Exeter will have access to good quality, cheap plants that they can grow in their own gardens thanks to a grant to support Zero Miles Gardens in St Thomas.

The Exeter Chiefs Foundation have given this community interest company a grant to help purchase a polytunnel, cargo bike and tools as part of a network of self-sufficient food growing spaces in local communities.

The seed propagation house has been erected in the garden of Emmanuel Hall in St Thomas to grow vegetable and herb seedlings for the neighbourhood. The cargo bike will carry compost and seedlings to local events and markets.

Clemence Scalbert, founder and director of the Zero Mile Gardens CIC, said: “This sowing and propagating space is essential to grow plants for the garden, as well as to the community growing spaces, allotments, and private gardens in St Thomas.

“The propagation house will be a place at the heart of the community to produce cheap, chemical-free, good quality plants to be used to grow food in local gardens. It will benefit the local community, who will be able to access plants to grow their own food.

“It will also benefit the community by turning an underused lawn and courtyard into a beautiful, thriving, and flourishing space. The garden is visited by many people in the neighbourhood and will also contribute to the economic life of the neighbourhood. Plants will be sold on a stall at Emmanuel Hall, monthly at the local Brillsville Market, and in local shops. This will contribute making links between the local businesses and between the community and businesses.”

Any charity, organisation or independent project in the greater Exeter area can apply for a project grant from the Exeter Chiefs Foundation, as long as the project will enhance the local area and the community within it, the grant is for something tangible, such as equipment, and meets specified wellbeing and charitable aims.