Sow, Grow and Share is RYA's latest project

‘Presentation’ of the raised bed planter to The Hut organisation in York. Rotary York Ainsty past president Dudley Valentine is seen with the plaque before it is affixed to the planter (nestling below the vast foliage which has grown since the installation). The planter was donated as part of the Rotary club’s Show, Grow and Share initiative. Image source: Stewart Gilbert (RYA).

 Sow, Grow and Share - SEPTEMBER 2023 - UPDATE OVERVIEW

As part of RYA's on-going involvement with this initiative, the membership decided to partner with three York voluntary organisations - The Hut, Door 84 Centre for Youth and Foxwood Community Centre Gardening Club by providing raised bed planters and other gardening items.

> Door 84 Centre for Youth: Raised bed plander and gardening equipmemnt

> Foxwood Gardening Club: Wooden Cold Frame

> The Hut: Raised bed plus fruit trees and bushes

 Sow, Grow and Share - Windowsill Kits MAY 2022 - UPDATE OVERVIEW

Sow, Grow and Share was a project launched in 2021 whereby Rotary York Ainsty, then in partnership with Edible York, provided growing kits to produce fresh food for first-time gardners. 

Following the positive response to the 2021 initiative, Rotary York Ainsty (RYA) hoped that the 2022 event would continue to enthuse the community to grow vegetables in resident's own gardens. Alternatively, they could club together with neighbours to cultivate a communal garden. Spirits were uplifted by enjoying friendship working in the open air.

York Ainsty Rotarians supported the Garden Share Initiative at the New Earswick Folk Hall on Saturday (May 21, 2022). They were in attedance between 11.00 am and 12.00 noon...

Rotary York Ainsty Rotarians Stewart Gilbert and Dick Powell with Audrey Miller of Edible York at the New Easwick Fold Hall event on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Text and image source - Stewart Gilbert

RYA have made this kit as environmentally friendly as possible, consistent with being cost effective and simple to use. The peat-free, organic compost supplied in compostable bags is sourced from Brunswick Organic Nursery (Bishopthorpe). The recycled plastic tray and pots, can be reused for several seasons. 

Emma Green, Community Officer for the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust at the Foxwood Community Centre, is seen below receiving ten Rotary York Ainsty ‘Sow, Grow & Share’ kits prepared and presented by Rotarian, John Quickfall.  

Emma distributed the kits to JHRT residents interested in trying their hands at growing their own edibles.  Each kit contains four seed types (beetroot, dwarf French bean, broad bean and nasturtium) plus five litres of peat-free compost, pots recycled from Rotarians’ sheds. A gravel tray was included so seeds can be started on a windowsill before planting outside. 

First provided in Spring 2021, ‘Sow, Grow and Share’ kits give recipients pleasure from nurturing seedlings and ultimately tasting some fruits from their labours at the same time contributing to the environment by providing nectar for pollinating insects.  

Nurturing a plant from seed is great fun and its flowers will provide nectar for bees. This vegetable and flower kit is a great way to start. The compost is peat-free. The plastic pots have been recycled and can be re-used, likewise the trays. If they break put them in the plastic recycle collection. The compost bags are biodegradable, but can first be used to cover planted pots to help the seeds to germinate. All of these plants can be grown either inside or outside, but all the seeds will set off faster if they are started off on a sunny windowsill. 

Rotary York Ainsty is grateful for the assistance given by Audrey Miller and Edible York in launching this initiative.

This script is copyright: Dick Powell and Stewart Gilbert