a close-up on darkwoods in shadwell
Incredible Edible Shadwell began with a single local resident taking up the call to join Incredible Edible Leeds.
Leesah Gee installed a planter by her front door to solve an issue with excess water, creating a herb garden filled with medicinal plants for teas (she’s a big tea drinker).
With one planter in she noticed space for many more in an abundance of disused green space on the estate. There’s now four planters and many plant pots dotted around.
Leesah is revolutionising Connect Housing’s Darkwoods area with plans to install planters, fruit trees, fruit bushes, a seed library and a polytunnel or greenhouse around the common areas between the houses. It is a beautiful area with loads of potential, the vision is to bring the community together to plant, grow and pick an abundance of healthy, free food, engaging local children to be outdoors and supporting the project.
With the cost of food rising there’s a greater need for community growing, projects.
“I’ve never really gardened before now, however in a short space of time, I am hooked! If someone told me I would be heading up a project for growing, I’d have laughed. Now, it’s about all I think about!”
Leesah Gee
You can help
- Building and filling planters
- Planting seeds and fruit trees
- Watering and tending to plants once they have sprouted
- Harvesting food
- Collecting and donating seeds
- Exchanging plants and crops
- Encouraging and engaging with others in the community
- Sharing advice
I have visions of multiple planters, a polytunnel, orchard and foraging route, in 10 years I imagine a beautiful set up, overflowing with an abundance of free food for residents.
In addition, I hope for end to end production, with residents turning their waste into compost for the planters.
Leesah Gee
Read more about Incredible Edible Leeds here. You might also like to know that we have Yorkshire’s Largest Surplus Supermarket here in Leeds too. Plus, an awesome Urban Farm in Meanwood which supply local veg boxes to homes and businesses throughout the year.
