Grow 6
Wherever we grow food, from a windowsill at home to land in our local community, it can be fun, and good for nature, our climate and us. It can be overwhelming to start and keep growing, so Grow 6 keeps it simple with six crops that grow well in Scotland in a range of settings, and information and tips gleaned from Scottish growers on each crop. You can develop skills and knowledge and build your food-growing confidence with inspiration to keep growing.
The Grow 6 campaign ran from Spring 2023-2024 with real time growing advice supporting folk new to growing at home or in community settings to try growing some food in our changeable Scottish weather. Whilst the ‘real-time’ function is no longer supported you can use the crop cards, scroll past updates or click on the links below to see if you have a growing space near you to learn and practice. If you have a ‘top tip’ or particular variety you know grows well here, in Scotland, please let us know. These crop cards change at the start of the year for spring/summer crops and at the end of the summer for crops to grow through winter.
For in-depth horticultural ‘know-how’ we’d recommend Garden Organic and Charles Dowding. Better still find and connect with your nearest community space and learn alongside others.
Good Luck!
What to grow?
Sprouts
Fresh, nutritious, soil-free growing, sprouts can be grown year round and make a great addition to any salad or in a sandwich. New to growing with others, you can try sprouting and eating a range of things.
Spinach
For keen cooks you can’t beat home grown spinach. One to establish late summer and with careful harvesting it will last until spring.
Kale
Kale, the super food that just keeps on giving and survives any amount of cold and looks great in the winter too.
Garlic
You won’t find a more reliable, straightforward crop to get growing.
Broad Beans
A great plant to grow through the winter months providing early pollen for bees, tasty beans for us humans and enriches the soil whilst it grows.
Blackcurrants
Resources
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- Seeds of Scotland For open pollinated seed adapted to Scottish growing conditions.
- Garden Organic Expert, in depth advice on how to grow organic food with nature.
- Charles Dowding Wonderfully accessible online materials demonstrating and demystifying ‘No-Dig’ and ‘live socials’ inspiring folk to grow food.