After gaining entry to the Walled Garden in early 2018 the Kitchen was one of the first areas to be developed. A number of trees and many perennial weeds were removed and areas prepared for planting.
In 2018 a variety of vegetables were grown including potatoes, courgettes, squash, pumpkins, and garlic; and we exhibited some of our produce at an event at the Botanic Gardens in September that year.
Over subsequent years a wider variety of vegetables were trialled including tomatoes, onions, leeks, parsnips, artichokes, and salad crops. In 2020 a greenhouse of purchased with funding received from the NW Edinburgh Community Grants Fund. This has been used for growing tomatoes and cucumber, and for seed sowing. In 2021 a polytunnel was purchased with funding from the Scottish Government’s Adapt and Thrive Fund. It was erected in the Kitchen Garden and vegetables grown included winter salads, radishes, carrots, and chillies. In summer 2022 a massive harvest of beef tomatoes cv Marmande was obtained.
At the south end of the Kitchen Garden an area is prone to flooding and in 2023 three raised beds will be constructed to address this problem. (Update: two down, one to go!)
Fruit bushes (blackcurrants, redcurrants, blueberries, and gooseberries) are also being grown in the Kitchen Garden.
When in season our produce is regularly made available to visitors and volunteers. We also make donations to local community groups.